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.

5. Fire

Saviour, Conqueror, Hero, Villain.

Author's Notes: I got the idea for the chapter titles for each planet from Lexx. Fire and Water. Then expanded it to the four physical elements, which are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. I just thought you'd like to know where I got the ideas from. Also, I was just looking at Aimo's artwork, on Adria's KotOR site... the picture of LS Revan is actually a lot like I imagined my female Revan... only difference is my Revan would wear black robes if she had a choice... either way, it's a very nice picture.

Napoleon-Blownapart: Glad you like it. I can't write pure evil from the first person, so I have to write her as redeemable... hence she is conflicted, as you called it.

Lord Valentai: She's level 20, already, because she didn't have the memory-wipe... therefore, she can be more powerful than she should be... but no one's invulnerable (unless you use that cheat, but that's not the point). Oh, Canderous... heh heh - yes, that happens this chapter.

RollingSkull: Hmmm... she does sound like Bastila, yes (never noticed before, but now that I think about it). These inhibitions are her only consession to humanity... like when Yuthura said the only thing holding her back was her compassion... well Revan lost her compassion a long time ago, but her honour remains. Anyway, while Malak and Vader were evil maniacs, Revan is an evil genius and won't do anything that doesn't benefit her... she wouldn't blow up a planet, if it would alienate someone she could turn to the DS (which is what Vader did). I have waist-length hair, and while I don't do all that cool fighting stuff she does, it doesn't get in the way as much as you'd think. As I said to Lord Valentai, though, she's a level 20, because she didn't have the memory-wipe... so she can be more powerful than she should be (and she used the Dark Side to enhance her strength, temporarily, for that scene where she ripped the guy's arm off). Jolee's an enigma... even I don't know what he's thinking, and I'm the author of this fic! Heh heh - I know what you mean about the review nazis. I thought that, too... but the two phrases she says in Shyriiwook are simple enough for human vocal chords (barely)... the real trouble would be if she tried reading this review-response in Shyriiwook.

NathanPostmark: Glad you like it.

snackfiend101: Yes, Manaan... that's next chapter.

Data: Thank you.

arrow maker: Hilarious? How so?

Feza's twin: Glad you like it. I'm curious to see how it ends, too - I've just got to the Unknown Planet, and I'm still not certain which choice she'll make!

Krazed Kaioshin Fangirl: I also liked that crystal (I want one!)... it took me a while to think what sort of tests Zhar could put her through, but that one seemed more relevant than anything else, once it hit me. Her reasons for siding with Freyyr were as evil as she said they were (right thing for the wrong reason)... but you're right that she is slowly slipping towards the light. I've no intention of laying claim to the climbing-trees thing, I actually didn't think it was original. [failure] nah, I don't like pie.

Prisoner 24601: Thanks - I always was disappointed by the lack of attention the Force-bond got in the fem!Revan game... so I decided to make it important in my fic. She cares because the Shadowlands are a dark place, and she likes them - killing them off would leave void, rather than darkness. Nobody's invincible, but she's pretty close - she'd have to be, to have killed Mandalore.

arrow maker: That won't make me update any faster... long and detailed reviews would, though.

stupid-gizka: Glad you like it.

rockerbabe: Well, some people can only picture Revan as male, some as female... I wrote two fics, to cater to both (both my Revans seem believable to me). And I won't tell you the ending, but while I'm still writing the story, I've impersonated JK Rowling, and have the last scene written (she's so keen to tell us she's got the last chapter written out... it's just such an evil tease!). I haven't written the final duel with Malak, though, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't answer... Revan won't tell me what she's plotting. Kill Bill was a cool pair of movies, though.

talar: Glad you like it. I've written the scene on the temple summit, and to be honest, it should be a surprise, whichever ending you're expecting. Getting Carth to trust her has been much tougher than I thought, though - he's one of these characters that has such a strong personality I can't control him. As for Bastila... well, just wait for chapter 8.

x x x

Chapter 5 - Fire

Onasi, Canderous and I were the only ones awake on the night watch, as we flew through hyperspace in the general direction of Tatooine. I was in the swoop hold, modifying my currently disassembled red lightsaber.

Very suddenly, I was pinned in to the workbench. Canderous stood behind me, with his hands on the workbench, on either side of me, blocking my escape. I hadn't noticed him enter the room. He must be very good, to sneak up on me like that. [I want to talk to you.] he said, in a relatively obscure dialect of Mandalorian.

I set down my currently useless weapon, and turned to face him, [What about?] I asked innocently, in the same language.

[I watched you fighting, in the Shadowlands. Your style is... almost unique.] he said calmly, [And your reaction to that computer was... suspicious. Not to mention your Jedi friend's comment on your battle history and Mandalorian laws. And the old man's comment that he had thought you would be a man.]

[So?] I asked.

[Who are you?] he asked bluntly.

[What? Why do you ask that?] I asked, stunned.

[You would not have told the computer not to say your name, if you didn't have something to hide by it.] he said calmly, [I didn't work it out right away, because I had a few preconceptions about you. But your fighting style really is unique, isn't it?]

[You've seen me fight before.] I said flatly, [When?]

[I think it was on Mandalore's flagship.]

[Only one Mandalorian general survived that fight.]

[I was knocked unconscious.] he protested, [Otherwise I would have fought to the death!]

[I'm sure you would. No dishonour in surviving as you did.] I said quietly, [You're right, of course. That is where you saw me.]

[So you are...?]

[Yes.]

[I always thought Revan was a man.] he noted.

I laughed, [Yeah, a lot of people thought that. But, as you can clearly see, I'm not a man.]

He suddenly became acutely aware of our proximity, and took a couple of steps back, [You don't plan to tell anyone, do you? Who knows who you really are?]

[The Jedi Council, Bastila and Jolee know my name. Juhani knows I'm a Sith. Everyone else just thinks I'm an evil bitch.]

He laughed, [I still find it difficult to believe you are Revan. But I am no fool. I don't let my preconceptions deceive me when the evidence is clear.]

[I should be grateful I took you with me to the Shadowlands, instead of letting Onasi tag along, then.]

He snorted, [That Republic soldier may be a suspicious git, but I don't think he'd have figured you out. It took the experience of facing you in combat to recognise your fighting style as I did.]

I grinned, [You are smarter than people seem to give you credit for, Canderous.]

[You don't get to be a general in Mandalore's fleet without brains.]

[I'm sure you don't.] I tilted my head to one side, [One word of my identity to anyone, Canderous, and I will kill you.]

[I don't doubt it for a moment.]

We passed the time, for the next few hours, trading battle stories, in Mandalorian. It's a much more efficient language to discuss war in, there are hundreds more words in the Mandalorian language for fighting techniques than in Galactic Basic. He told me about his youth in Mandalore's fleet, and I told him of several of the planets I had conquered since the Mandalorian wars.

By the time Bastila woke up and interrupted us, Canderous was telling me about his personal experience of the Mandalorian wars.

"What is going on in here?" Bastila demanded.

"We're trading battle stories." I said brightly, "Canderous is smarter than he looks, and he figured out who I am."

'Aw, damn.' "Well, you should not be speaking so openly of it!" she noted coldly.

"Who's going to hear? Can anyone else on this ship speak Mandalorian?" I asked innocently.

"I... don't think so." she conceded.

"Then we don't have a problem." I said brightly.

Canderous wandered over to the door, "Maybe later I'll tell you more about what it was like to work for Davik." he told me, "For now, though, we should get on with our lives."

x x x

We were almost at Tatooine, and I'd even had some sleep (and another vision, which Bastila took half an hour to discuss), when I wandered into the cockpit for want of something unboring to do. Bastila was in the co-pilot's seat, and Onasi was in the pilot's seat. Neither were doing much. Onasi was just watching the readouts, waiting for the signal to drop out of hyperspace.

"That was some fight, on Kashyyyk, wasn't it?" I asked, leaning on the back of Onasi's chair. He tried to ignore me, but couldn't.

"We won. That's what counts." he said flatly.

"With Bastila's help, anyway." I said.

He looked at me, startled, "What do you mean? She wasn't even there."

I grinned, "She was using her Battle Meditation." I told him.

He frowned at me, then looked at Bastila warily, "How do you know that?"

"I could feel the Force crackling around us. Guiding us. And the symptoms were clear. Juhani was able to fight when she had been so badly injured before. Mission kept shooting at the Czerka, even when she was unable to stand. You had better aim than usual, and that time you elbowed the Czerka in the face was priceless."

"I thought that was just good luck." Onasi said.

"There is no luck, Onasi. There is only the Force." I retorted.

He snorted, "Whatever, Jedi."

I glared at him viciously, "You only called me that because you knew it would annoy me." I hissed.

He grinned, "Yeah." I glared at him, and used the Force to give him a gentle smack on the side of the head. His head jerked to the side. "What the-?"

I smirked smugly, "That was a very petty thing to do, Kira." Bastila said coldly.

"Yeah, but it was fun." I replied brightly.

Onasi glared at me, "I've never hit a woman in my life, Kira. But you're tempting me." he said coldly.

I laughed, "Try it, Onasi."

He shook his head, "No. I'm not sinking to your level."

"It'd take more than merely smacking a girl to sink this low, Onasi." I retorted, "Go on, I dare you."

"Oh go jump out an airlock!" he snapped, turning to look at the instrument panel just in time to see we were about to drop out of hyperspace, and brace himself for the sudden jolt it caused. I wasn't so lucky, and ended up falling over his seat and landing in his lap at a most embarrassing angle.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, and glared at him. He laughed at me. "I'm going to hurt you, one of these days, Onasi." I promised.

"Sure you are." he said sarcastically. He clearly didn't believe I would.

'Ahem, in case you have forgotten, you have already hurt him more than enough, Revan!' Bastila snapped in my mind.

I turned to glare at her, 'No I didn't. His problems with the Sith were Malak's fault.'

Bastila snorted at that, and turned to look out the window. The desert world of Tatooine loomed in front of us, "I can sense the presence of the Map in our vision." she said, pointing in the direction we should go.

"Well, be grateful there's a landing port not far from there." Onasi answered, "I'd not like to be attacked by the local savages the second we stepped off the ship."

x x x

"I'd prefer Sand People." I muttered, looking at the Czerka officer who had greeted Bastila and I, the second we stepped off the ship.

"Welcome to Anchorhead, potential customer." the man said slimily, "Czerka Corporation stands ready to serve, after some formalities, of course."

"Of course." I said acidly, barely keeping myself from killing him in plain view. Only the knowledge that those automatic weapons around the bay would cause me more trouble than the man is worth, if I killed one of the Czerka here, kept me from Force choking him.

"First, your ship is not on our list of planned arrivals for today. There is a docking fee of one hundred credits because of this." he explained.

"I don't have to pay the docking fee." I said flatly, using the Force to back up my words.

"You know... I don't think you need to pay the fee. We'll let it go, this time." he said, in a slight daze, "This will cover any future landings as well. It's like a registration, so we can serve you better when you return. Now, as a customs officer, I can provide information on services. Is this visit business or pleasure?"

"I'm done with you. Stay out of my business, or else!" I snapped. The man grated on my nerves. He was the sort that if he were a grovelling underling of mine, I'd torture him just because I could.

"There is no need for that. I'm just doing my job. You are free to move as you wish." he said, backing away from me nervously.

"There is no need for such hostility." Bastila hissed in my ear.

"He was asking for it." I replied coldly.

"Are we allowed off the ship, now?" Mission's voice asked behind me. She was at the top of the docking ramp, looking out. I could sense the Wookiee behind her. Clearly, the girl wanted to explore new territory.

"Yeah." I said, "Just don't leave the settlement without us, ok, kid?"

She bounded down the ramp, "Ok." she said brightly. Zaalbar followed her, and they set off to explore.

"Is it wise to let them go off on their own like that?" Bastila asked me.

"Why shouldn't they?" I asked, "Anchorhead's not that bad a place. I wouldn't let her run off into Dreshdae, for example. But Anchorhead's safer than Taris used to be. She'll be fine."

Bastila gave me an exasperated look.

"There's something..." I could sense a presence nearby. Familiar. Waiting. But... I couldn't read any familiar life. It didn't make sense. "There's something here. Waiting for me."

"What are you talking about?" Bastila asked.

"I can sense something here. In Anchorhead." I said, frowning, "I... can't explain it. It's like I know there's something here that wants me to find it. It's certainly not the Map."

"Perhaps there are Sith waiting to ambush us, as there were on Kashyyyk?" she suggested.

I shook my head, "This isn't a malevolent presence... or, more specifically, it's not malevolent towards me. I can't explain it. And I should be able to recognise it, but..." my eyes widened, and recognition hit me, "It's not alive. There's only one thing it could be." I grinned brightly, "Oh, this is great!" I cheered, "I thought I'd lost it!"

"What are you on about?" Bastila demanded.

"I'll show you." I led her out into the settlement of Anchorhead.

Anchorhead was a bustling winding network of streets, filled with a vast range of aliens, shops and houses. The shops were mostly of little to no interest to me. Though I noticed a swoop office, as we passed, but Bastila insisted I not waste time on it.

Eventually, we found our way to a large open space near the gate. The presence I sensed was... to my left, as I faced the gate. I followed it to... here's a surprise... a droid shop. "Who'd think it'd end up in a dump like this?" I muttered to myself.

"Are you going to tell me what wild tach chase you've brought me on this time?" Bastila asked coldly.

"No." I said flatly. Then I opened the door. The shop was a dump, to be polite about it. Most of the droids here were scrap. One wasn't. I stared at it for a second, "Long time no see, old friend." I whispered. HK-47 was created by the Star Forge, and as such had a presence in the Force. All the Star Forge machines do, but HK-47 was unique, made to my specific instructions, which is why I recognised it.

[What is this? A customer I don't recognize? Perhaps you bring off-world money to Yuka Laka?] the Ithorian salesman asked.

"My money is my own business." I said coldly, not taking my eyes off HK-47.

[Ah, I see you are interested in my newest purchase.] Yuka Laka asked, [I just took possession of it. An HK-47. It's a fine protocol translator. I think it's been modified. It claims to understand the Sand People dialect, and also has some armour mounts. Combat ready, perhaps?]

"What does the HK-47 designation mean?" Bastila asked warily.

[Haven't got a clue. It doesn't match any protocol or utility standard. I assume it's a retired model.] Yuka Laka answered.

'Hunter-killer.' I thought to Bastila, 'It's an assassin droid. And it's mine.'

'You are NOT going to buy that thing, are you?!' Bastila demanded in my mind.

'I'm going to see if I can get it for free, actually.' I replied brightly.

Bastila glared.

"Where did you get it?" I asked Yuka Laka.

[I acquired the droid from a friend that manages an off-world Czerka warehouse. It was in trade for a debt he owed.] he answered.

"And was this a droid of his own... or something stored in that warehouse?" Bastila asked coldly.

[He said no one would miss it. Might have been surplus. It doesn't look like it was Czerka-made though.] Yuka Laka said, clearly unbothered by the fact he was selling stolen goods.

"I recognise this droid, Yuka Laka." I said flatly.

[You- you do?] he asked, fear flashing through his aura.

"It certainly is not Czerka made." I stepped over to the droid, as Yuka Laka and Bastila watched, "HK-47. Recognition protocol 528, disengage memory lockdown. Do not say my name or I will give you a permanent memory wipe, you bucket of bolts."

"Greetings: Master, it is good to see you again." HK-47 said brightly.

[What did you do to it?] Yuka Laka demanded.

"I gave it the access codes to its core memory." I said flatly, "Proof that it's mine."

[Y-yours? But I was give this droid in good faith, to cover a substantial debt!]

"How much was the debt?" I asked, with a wave of my hand, "Tell the truth." the Force backing up the order.

[One thousand five hundred credits.] Yuka Laka answered.

"I'll give you a thousand for it." I said coldly, "It's my property anyway. Be thankful you caught me in a good mood."

Yuka Laka looked worriedly from me to the droid and back again, [This droid is the only sellable merchandise I have at the moment. I need at least two thousand from it to keep in business.]

"Either take one thousand for it, or I will take this droid and pay you with your own internal organs. That is your choice." I said coldly.

[V-very well. I suppose I cannot stop you from taking something that belongs to you. I shall have to speak to my friend about that debt.] Yuka Laka said, resigned.

I gave him the one thousand credits, and removed the restraining bolt from HK-47. "Gratitude: I thank you for taking me away from ill-treatment at the hands of this poorly-skilled mechanic."

I laughed slightly, "Come on, HK. I have to take you back to the ship and tell you the new rules."

x x x

When we reached the ship, Onasi greeted us in the common room, "What's this?" he asked, eyeing HK-47 with contempt, "You're not taking lessons from that woman on Dantooine, are you?"

"HK, much that I would find it amusing, please don't kill this one." I said flatly, "Threaten all you want, though. Be graphic, please."

"Statement: As you command, Master."

"And to answer your question, Onasi. No. HK-47 is not for that purpose. Believe me, I prefer humans." I said coldly.

"Query: -"

"HK, you don't want to ask that question." I said flatly, shaking my head sadly. Onasi laughed.

"Statement: As you wish, Master."

"Interesting droid you've got there." Onasi said, with genuine curiosity, "What is it actually for, then?"

"It's a... protocol, translator, and combat droid." I said flatly. HK-47's eyes flashed, and I practically sensed its curiosity at my deliberate omission.

"Beep! Beep! Boop!" T3-M4 deemed it necessary to voice its opinion on the matter. When that droid has an opinion, you know something's wrong.

"Retort: I am not dangerous, you bucket of bolts! Ahem. Did I say that out loud?"

I laughed at the two droids, "Yes, you did, HK."

"Explanation: He started it!"

Onasi snorted with laughter at this, "You sure know how to pick them, Kira."

"Query: Who is Kira?"

I rolled my eyes, "HK, my shipmates know me by the designation Kira. And while you call me 'Master', they don't have to do that... yet." I gave Onasi a pointed look as I said 'yet'. Bastila glared at me for that.

"Statement: Understood, Master."

"Now, I need to introduce you to the rest of my shipmates." I told the droid.

I found Canderous in the swoop hold. "New droid?"

"Not exactly new. It was mine. I lost it. It found me." I said flatly, "HK-47, this is Canderous Ordo."

"Extrapolation: Ordo. Mandalorian clan. High class warriors. Weapon of choice, Basilisk war droids. Battle tactics may vary, approach with caution."

Canderous chuckled, "You programmed it well enough." he said, amused.

"Canderous is a part of my crew, HK. That means you don't try to kill him." I informed the droid.

HK-47 nodded slightly, "Statement: As you command, Master."

"Bastila, you've already met. Don't kill her or I'll melt you for scrap... without deactivating you first." I noted. "And that old man who thinks he's spying on us is Jolee. Don't kill him either."

"Statement: As you command, Master."

"Must be a violent droid you've got there, if you have to tell it who not to kill." Jolee noted from the doorway.

"It is." I said brightly, "But it's also very useful."

"It'd have to be. Then again, for you to have such a droid, I suppose it's fitting, huh?" Jolee asked.

"What do you think, old man?" I asked, smirking. Everyone in this room knew who I was. Everyone got what he was insinuating. I found it amusing.

Jolee shrugged and left the room. I also shrugged and turned my attention to HK-47. "There are three other crewmembers. A Cathar female Jedi. A blue Twi'lek girl. And a young Wookiee male. Do not harm any of these three. Feel free to blast any Czkera reps stupid enough to set foot on my ship, however."

"Statement: As you wish, Master."

x x x

It was lunchtime when I returned to Anchorhead. Food was a good idea, but I sure as hell didn't want the gunk that came out of the Ebon Hawk's synthesiser... especially not after Jolee's graphic description of it. So I made my way to the cantina, alone. No one else seemed to care that the ship's food was so rubbish, and no one wanted to go with me to the dive of a cantina. Well, no one except Mission, who had reappeared in a hyperactive mood, just as I was leaving the ship.

"Hey, kid. I probably shouldn't have been so rude about Taris." I said flatly, "The fact is, I'm a self-centred person, and I don't do sympathy well."

"It's ok." she said, frowning, "I talked to Carth and Zaalbar about it. They helped."

"So you feel better?" I asked.

"A bit. It's not something you just get over, though." she said, "But I suppose that's why we need to stop Malak, right? The more time I spend dwelling on Taris the more chance some other planet will get wiped out. I guess that's what it comes down to."

"When Taris was destroyed... I felt the deaths, through the Force." I said quietly.

"How can you say you don't care, if you felt that?" she asked, awed.

"I get a high when I taste death on the Force." I said quietly, "It's like a drug. But Taris was an overdose. I don't know how Malak can stand it."

She stared at me, "You're scary."

"Yeah. I am." I grinned at her, "But don't worry, kid. I like you. I won't hurt you."

"Why do you like me?" she asked.

I tilted my head to the side, and looked at her carefully, "I don't exactly know. You're impossible to hate, kid." I grinned, "Believe me, I'm good at hating people."

She giggled nervously, "I guess that's a compliment."

"In a twisted way, yes." I smiled at her, "That fight on Kashyyyk... that was your first kill, wasn't it?"

She blushed slightly, "Yeah. When we got in fights on Taris, Big Z'd always just knock them out, and we'd run. The one time some Vulkars really cornered us, he did kill one of them, I think. But worst I ever did was cut them bad, or shoot at their knees, or something."

"So why kill the Czerka, then?" I asked, curiously.

"Cause they were slavers."

"You never met slavers on Taris?" I asked.

"Not before those Gammoreans." she said, shaking her head, "I'd heard about them, but I always avoided where I heard they were. The Gammoreans just moved into that section of sewer a few days before they caught Big Z. We didn't know they were there."

"I see. Smart, really." I said, "If you'd been cornered by slavers on Taris, would you have killed them to get away?"

"Probably." she said, nodding, "Some people deserve it, you know."

I smiled, "Some people would disagree with that statement. If I were you, I wouldn't tell any of the Jedi that anyone deserves death."

"Why not?" she asked innocently.

"The Jedi don't believe anyone deserves death as a punishment. Death comes at your appointed time, and should not be given by anyone but the Force." I said flatly, "I think it's a load of kath crap, but they're entitled to their opinions."

She giggled slightly, "Sounds a bit daft to me. Some people do deserve it."

"True." I nodded slightly, "But still..." I frowned, "Do you think Malak deserves to die?"

"Hell yeah!"

I laughed slightly, "I'm not sure he does."

"Why not?!"

"I have my reasons. I don't want to get into it right now." I smirked darkly, "But I sure as hell want to hurt him."

She giggled nervously, "I know that feeling. I'd like to see Malak suffer, as much as half the rest of the galaxy would."

I smirked darkly, "Not so innocent now, huh, kid?" She blinked at me. "Those dark thoughts are born from experience. Jaded by blood. You've killed."

She shivered slightly, "I don't like the way you say that."

"Hmmm." I sat back and looked around the cantina. There wasn't anything of interest here, but I didn't really want to look at the girl right this second. After a few minutes, she sighed distantly. I looked at her with curiosity, "Something wrong, kid?"

"I was just thinking." she said, her eyes unfocused, as if she were looking at a memory.

"About...?"

She looked at me, now. Evaluated the pros and cons of telling me, then said simply, "My brother."

"I didn't know you had a brother?" I asked.

She shrugged, "I never told ya."

"Care to share?" I asked.

"It's complicated." she said, shifting in her seat, and staring at a random point on the table, "Griff wasn't the most popular guy, he had his faults. But I still loved him, you know? Sometimes people don't understand."

"Love is blind, kid. I can understand. Not so much with family, but it still follows the same logic."

She gave me an odd look for that, but then continued her story, "I never knew my parents, my brother always looked out for me. He's the one who brought me to Taris. I was just a kid, only five. But I remember the trip - if you could call it that. We were stuffed inside a packing crate in a star freighter's cargo hold with just enough food and water to make the trip. Not exactly first class, you know?"

"Doesn't sound like a fun trip." I said bluntly.

"I don't know the whole story - I was pretty young." she said, shrugging, "But my brother owed a lot of money. Might even have been a few arrest warrants out for him, I don't know. The only way to get off the planet was to smuggle ourselves out. I mean, I don't want to make it sound like we were criminals... well, maybe my brother was."

I laughed at that.

"See, this is why I don't like to talk about it." she snapped, "It makes Griff sound worse than he really was. My brother had his problems, but he always looked out for me."

"I don't have a problem with petty criminals... unless they get caught." I said, "Has your brother ever been caught?"

"Not that I know of. Unless he's been caught since he left..."

"He left?" I asked sharply.

"Yeah." Mission said, frowning, "He fell in with a bad crowd. It's all Lena's fault. She's the one who took him from me! Just batted those long lashes at him and off he went!"

"Who's Lena?" I asked.

Mission pulled a face at the memory of meeting Lena, "She was a dancer at the cantina where my brother used to go to play Pazaak. Griff could be a real smooth talker, and it wasn't long before the two of them were dating. But Lena was used to dating rich Tarisian nobles - guys with mountains of credits. Griff could never give her the kind of lifestyle she was used to, no matter how hard he worked."

"You mean no matter how much he stole?"

"I'm not going to pretend Griff wasn't a hustler and a con-artist, but that doesn't mean you can just insult him!" Mission snapped, "He did what he did to look out for me!"

I held up my hands defensively, "Hey, coming from me, that wasn't an insult."

She snorted, and folded her arms, "I thought Lena would brush Griff off when she saw how poor he was, but for some reason she stuck around. I guess she saw the potential for a big payday down the road."

"Or maybe she really liked him?" I asked, "Feelings are one of those things you can't control, no matter how much you may try." Like I can't deny that I want to protect this kid, even though I'm a killer.

She shook her head vehemently, "I saw Lena for what she really was - a busty, credit-grubbing cantina rat! She used Griff and took away the only family I had!" she sighed, and looked miserable as she continued the story, "After they'd been together for a few months, Griff told me he was leaving Taris. He and Lena were going to try and make their fortune off-world. He promised as soon as he made enough credits he'd come back and get me and we'd all live like royalty. That was two years ago - I haven't seen him since! I don't even know where he went!"

"Sounds like he deserted you." I said bluntly.

"Oh, I know what happened!" she said acidly, "As soon as she got him off Taris Lena sunk her claws into Griff but good! She twisted him around her little finger and made him forget all about me! I know I'll probably never see Griff again. But part of the reason I came with you was the hope that I could find out what happened to my brother." another deep sigh, then she shook her head and said with false brightness, "Don't worry - I won't let my search for Griff get in the way of what we're doing."

"Yeah. We can't sit around all day in the cantina." I said, "Let's get on with the mission, Mission."

She glared at me, "Mission - mission: is that supposed to be a joke? Like I've only heard that about a million times in my life! Okay, I can take a hint. Let's go."

x x x

Mission and I explored the city, but it turned out that the only exit was guarded by Czerka, and Czerka weren't letting anyone out without a hunting licence. We spent the rest of the day searching for a way around this, but there were no air vents or maintenance ducts to be found anywhere.

Defeated, for now, we returned to the docking port late that evening.

"Stupid cheating core-slime... hope he rots here... can't believe the nerve..." the gold-skinned Twi'lek woman who was muttering turned abruptly, and saw us. She stopped speaking for a minute, and stared, "Mission? Is that you? It's me, Lena. Remember? I was dating your brother back on Taris!"

"Lena?" Mission asked, with clear contempt in her voice, "What... what are you doing here? Where's Griff?"

"I'm just looking for a ride off this rock." Lena replied, "Griff and I broke up a few months after we left Taris together. Probably for the best. Your brother can be charming, Mission, but he's bad news."

"Don't you start trashing my brother, you cantina rat!" Mission snapped, anger rolling off her aura in waves, "Take that back or I'll smack you so hard your head-tails will pop off!"

"Wha-?? Mission, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting this way?" Lena asked. She sounded hurt. Her aura showed she wasn't even a bad person. Certainly not the selfish freeloader Mission had led me to belief she was. She seemed more the type a freeloader would hone in on. She had a generous spirit, even.

"Mission gets a little worked up when it comes to her brother." I said diplomatically.

"Yeah, I know how she feels. Griff can be pretty frustrating." Lena said, "I guess that's why Mission didn't want to come with us when we left Taris."

"You liar!" Mission snapped, "Griff told me you didn't want his little sister tagging along - that's why he had to leave me behind!"

"Is that what the Hutt-spawn told you?" Lena asked. She was getting snappish, but her aura was defensive, "I wanted you to come with us, Mission. I even offered to pay for your ticket! Why not? I paid for everything else while I was with that freeloader. But he told me you didn't want to leave Taris. I said we shouldn't even go then, but he said we'd come back and get you after we struck it rich on Tatooine - just another one of his lies!" Tatooine. So that means the 'Hutt-spawn' was somewhere nearby? Or had he just skipped the planet and left Lena behind?

"No - you're the one who's lying!" Mission snapped, "Griff wouldn't... he wouldn't try to leave me behind!"

"Maybe your brother's not so great as you seem to think, Mission?" I suggested.

"Think about it." Lena pleaded, "If Griff wasn't trying to ditch you, Mission, then why didn't he tell you where we were going? After we left Taris he told me looking after you was holding him back - Griff's always looking to blame other people for his own problems. That's why he abandoned you. He did the same thing to me, too, as soon as I ran out of money. He started blaming me for all his problems. Like it's my fault his get-rich-quick schemes never work out!"

"Where is Griff, now?" I asked.

"Still on Tatooine, as far as I know." Lena said, shrugging, "Not that I really care anymore. And if Mission was smart she'd forget about that no-good con artist!"

"Griff's better off without you anyway, you table-dancing, brother-stealing home wrecker!" Mission snarled at Lena.

Lena sighed, "I guess that's my cue to leave, then. I didn't mean to upset you, Mission. But one day you'll see I'm right about your brother. I only hope it's not too late by then." She turned and walked off in the direction of the next docking bay, rather quickly.

"That lying little-" Mission growled, and clenched her fists in fury.

"Hey, calm down, kid." I said gently. That type of anger is alluring... it made me nauseous to sense it from someone I felt a maternal instinct for. "Don't you think there's a chance she's telling the truth?"

"Maybe... maybe he did want to leave me behind. Just temporarily, you know? He might have done that, if he planned on coming back later." she said, trying to rationalise what her brother had done. "But things didn't usually work out for Griff the way he planned, you know? And that's when he'd get in trouble. He was always borrowing money he could never pay back. He might have been trying to skip out on his debts when he left Taris. He would have had to leave his little sister behind so it would look like he was coming back."

I sighed, "Well we're on Tatooine. May as well speak to Czerka about him tomorrow." I said, shrugging, "Chances are we'll need to go through Czerka to get out of Anchorhead, anyway."

x x x

The next morning, after breakfast, we all sat around the table in the common area of the Hawk, "We have two options." I said flatly, "Take off and land again outside the city. Or get a hunting licence from Czerka."

"Hunting sounds like fun." Canderous said hopefully.

"You would think that, Mandalorian." Bastila muttered.

"I don't much like the idea of landing outside the city." Onasi put in, "There are Sand People out there that would tear this ship apart given have the chance."

"So we get a hunting licence, then." I scanned the group assembled, and then said, "Canderous, Juhani, Zaalbar, and HK-47. Let's go intimidate some Czerka."

"Why that lot?" Mission asked, "What about me?"

"Zaalbar'll be looking out for your interest, Mission. You're no hunter, really, kid." I said calmly, "These three are natural fighters, and a whole lot of us is better intimidation than a smaller group. And HK-47 really can't hurt my case any, in this situation."

"What about-" Bastila started.

"Juhani will be looking out for the Jedi interest in this situation." I hissed coldly. Onasi opened his mouth, but I cut across him, "Juhani should be trustworthy enough for even you, Onasi." then I added in a mutter, "And that's saying something."

Onasi glared at me, but remained silent.

I led the group off the ship. Canderous wore light battle armour, to compensate for the heat. Juhani was wearing the same crimson Jedi robes I had seen her wear around the ship, and I'd not be surprised if she wore the same robes if we visited Hoth. I wore the Sith robes I had worn on Kashyyyk, with a lightweight sand-coloured cloak over them, to protect me against the twin suns.

We got to the Czerka office just in time to hear the end of what sounded like a one-sided yelling match, [You'll be hearing about this, you Czerka puppet! I'm not going to let this drop! You can't just murder a whole village! And don't tell me to take my concerns to your corporate kiosk! I know when I'm not wanted!] a Duros civilian was shouting at the Czerka representative.

"What's going on here?" I asked, "Who are you?"

The Duros threw one last venomous glare at the Czerka rep, then turned to me, [I'm done talking in this office. They aren't interested in listening to me. I doubt they will even acknowledge I was here. Typical corporate evasion. That's what happens when they own everything. No accountability. Don't even bother bringing it up.] he stormed out of the building.

"Weird." I muttered. But then I shrugged, and walked over to the Czerka rep, "Hello."

"Can I help you?" she asked. Something about her red and gold aura screamed 'punch me'. I was sorely tempted to do just that. "These are the offices of Czerka Corporation. I trust you have business with the company? If this is about employment, I'm afraid all regular mining positions are full. And before you ask, we are also no longer selling hunting licenses."

"Well, that could be a problem." I said flatly, "Because we want a hunting licence."

She looked at the company I was keeping, with a wary look, "As I said, we are no longer selling them. There are too many people cavorting about outside the walls as it is."

"Have there been a lot of people leaving the city?" I asked.

"With the downturn in mining, people want any chance at credits they can get. Most wouldn't survive a day, let alone qualify as hunters." she explained, "The last license issued before the ban was given to a woman named Marlena Venn. She'll do fine; she had a mean streak a parsec wide. She also paid double. Exceptions like this are rare, unless it suits the company to offer them."

"Do we look like a bunch of children who can't fight?" Canderous snapped at her, "If you're giving hunting licences to people on count of their attitude..." he gave me a pointed look, and I smirked darkly.

"What do I have to do to convince you I'm a capable hunter?" I asked, my tone implying 'what mutilations do I have to perform on you to prove I've got enough of a mean streak?'

"Well, normally we charge two hundred credits, but I could make an exception if you agreed to perform a task for us. It's similar to hunting." she said, too nonchalantly. This task could be more trouble than it's worth, judging by her tone, "The Sand People are becoming a problem. They destroy our sandcrawlers and kill our miners. One particular tribe is the worst. It's as if their chieftain has decided to wage a war against us. I would like their attacks... terminated. Bring me their gaffi sticks as proof. If you agree to do this, I'll give you a hunting license now and pay a bounty for each stick later. I'll give a bonus for the chieftain's."

"Gaffi sticks?" I asked flatly, "Why not their heads?"

"Which would you rather have dumped on your office floor?" she asked.

"You really don't want her to answer that, Czerka." Canderous noted, a little too cheerfully.

"Besides, they are ceremonial weapons unique to each warrior. It's just as good." the Czerka rep added, pointedly ignoring Canderous' comment.

"Very well. I'll do this for you." I glanced at Canderous, [It's tempting to dump a bunch of Sand People heads on her floor, just to piss her off, though.] I noted in Mandalorian. Canderous sniggered.

"Excellent. Now, just so we understand each other, this is an enforceable contract. Czerka Corporation takes this very seriously." the Czerka rep said, "Here is your license, and a few directions." she handed me a map and a card that declared itself a hunting licence, "We believe one of their enclaves is in the far south of the Dune Sea. You might try following one of our sandcawlers. They are regularly attacked. I wouldn't mind you escorting them."

[Like to see her try to enforce anything on me.] I muttered, again in Mandalorian. Then I reverted to Basic, and spoke directly to the Czerka rep, "One thing before we go. Heard of anyone named Griff, around here? I heard he was working as a miner, for your company."

"Griff? Uh... there's no Griff here. Never heard of him." she said. A blatant lie. "No, I... I don't remember a single Griff on the Czerka Corporation payroll." she laughed nervously.

"If there's one thing I hate most in this galaxy, it's liars. Especially really bad ones." I said coldly, "Now tell me what you know about Griff, if you like your face that shape!"

Canderous snorted with laughter, and I could easily guess what he was thinking - is that what happened to Malak? I barely avoided wincing at that thought.

"While I respect your... forcefulness, I must remind you that ours are the finest, and only, guards in Anchorhead." the Czerka rep said, unimpressed, "It would simply be inadvisable to attempt such an action in here. There would be no place for you to run. I don't fear you here."

"I'm not the type to run." I hissed coldly, "You're employing me to slaughter a village full of primitives that kill your guards on a daily basis. I could just as easily slaughter your guards if I felt so inclined."

"I sincerely doubt that." she said calmly.

"Have you any idea who you're talking to, woman!" Canderous snarled at her.

"Down, boy." I said calmly. He stepped back, instantly, in spite of the degrading way I said that. "Let's try a different approach." I waved my hand across the Czerka rep's field of vision, and used the Force to back up my words as I said, "You want to tell me about Griff."

Her eyes glazed over, and she looked like she was suddenly in another happy little world where I had never threatened her, "Can you spare me a few moments? I have something I want to get off my chest. I want to tell you about one of our workers. His name was Griff. We hired that Twi'lek some time ago. Not a good worker according to his crew chief: always complaining and faking injuries to get out of work. He entered false time sheets and slept through his shifts. We even suspected him of stealing Czerka Corporation supplies, although we could never prove it."

"Yes, that sounds like him." I said flatly.

"We would've fired him but we needed workers." the Czerka rep continued, "It would have been better for him if he had been fired. Then the Sand People wouldn't have gotten him."

"Sand People?" I asked.

"He was lost in a Sand People raid we suffered not too long ago. There were prisoners taken, but our rescue parties never found anyone alive. In the end it just wasn't cost effective to keep searching. All miners sign a waiver absolving Czerka Corporation of liability in these circumstances."

"So you're workers are all expendable." I said flatly. My tone making it clear I didn't see anything wrong with this.

"Czerka Corporation cares deeply for all of its employees." she said. Another blatant lie. They only cared about the money their employees could earn them. "That's why we've started a bounty program to thin the Sand People numbers."

"So he's dead?" I asked.

"We didn't find his body so we have to assume he was taken prisoner. Whether he's still alive, I couldn't say." she said calmly, "That's all I can tell you. I shouldn't even have said this much; this is all privileged corporate information. I could lose my job!"

"And we'd all be so heartbroken if that happened, wouldn't we?" I asked sarcastically, "Thanks for the hunting licence." I turned and led my group out of the Czerka office.

[Don't you believe a word of what Czerka Corporation said in there, there is always a peaceful solution to conflict.] the Duros who had been yelling at the Czerka rep said, as we stepped outside, [They are just lazy.]

"And I suppose you know better?" I asked, sarcastically.

[The Sand People aren't animals. I've watched them, and they are intelligent. There must be a way to peacefully stop the attacks... I know it.] he said, a pleading tone reaching his voice, [But no one will try, of course. You can't even leave the city without Czerka approval and they want the Sand People dead.]

I tilted my head to the side, "So what? Big deal. I couldn't care less about the Sand People, alive or dead."

[Aren't you the killer that Czerka hired? Just going to walk out there and wipe them out? I'd expect no less from fools.]

"I am no fool." I growled, "Although you are, if you think you can insult me and live to tell about it."

Fear flashed across his aura, [But if you could just talk to them... maybe get a true translation droid... Ah, I'm wasting my time.] he stormed off, angrily.

x x x

When you walk through a small settlement like Anchorhead, with a Mandalorian, a Cathar, a Wookiee and an evil-looking droid, you don't tend to get bothered by people. Well, you'd think that, at least.

[Forgive me for the intrusion, human. My name is Senni Vek.] a green Twi'lek said to me, in his own language. He had the sort of unremarkable face that blends into a crowd, but his aura radiated a distinct sense of separation from his surroundings. He was a powerful man for a Force-blind... and he knew it, too. [I believe you dropped this datapad and I wish to return it to you.]

"I didn't drop anything." I said flatly.

[I'm certain you did, human. Please, take the datapad. It's yours, I'm sure.] his aura seemed solely focused on making sure I obtain this datapad. He wanted me to have it. It was important to him.

"Uh... thanks." I took the datapad from him, and he smiled faintly. The faint sparkle in his eyes and aura showed a sort of smugness that his task was successfully completed.

[My pleasure, human. You should examine it to make sure it is not broken.] he said pointedly. As if its state of repair was the last reason I should examine the datapad. Senni Vek turned and left again, casually, as if he belonged. At least, he acted as if he belonged - his aura stood out by a mile, as he departed.

I wondered if this man was a professional intelligence operative... for whatever faction, he had to make a living out of covert behaviour to pull off such a stunt so smoothly that only I seemed to notice. The other members of my 'hunting party' appeared unaware that the datapad did not in fact belong to me.

I carefully examined the datapad. 'The Genoharadan say to see Hulas on Manaan. Come alone or not at all.' Genoharadan... I know I've heard the word somewhere before. But it was a fable. A myth, it wasn't real, surely. Well, I guess I'll find out when we go to Manaan, won't I?

We went to the hunting lodge, next. Purely out of curiosity. We didn't stay long, though. The place stank of Gammoreans, and one of the human hunters made it an even less pleasant place to be. While Canderous was discussing something with a Twi'lek hunter, and Zaalbar and Juhani were hovering apprehensively near a corner, a human man (at least he looked human - his behaviour and smell indicated otherwise, however) approached me.

"Hello there, pretty lady. My name's Tanis Venn." he said brightly, "What's a gorgeous thing like you doing in a dump like this?"

"Looking for something to kill." I said flatly, "Care to volunteer?"

He laughed as if I had been joking, "You're a hunter?" he asked, "You're too good looking to be a hunter, surely."

"I assure you, I am very good at killing things." I said acidly. And if he keeps coming on to me like that, I will kill him, quite happily.

He eyed HK-47 for a second, "You hunt with a droid, too?"

"The droid isn't for hunting animals." I said flatly.

"Ah... right. You'd get along great with those Gammoreans, you would." he noted.

"Uh huh." I did not like this man... but since I was talking to him anyway, "What can you tell me about the other hunters?"

"Uptight and cold, like my wife." he said brightly, "They don't like me streamlining the hunt with droids. I don't fit in, but I don't let it bug me. The Gamorreans are different. Good rowdy drinking buddies. Gurke and his boys, they understand that hunting is a business. Of course, they hunt... other things than wraid too. Just don't turn your back on them. Ever."

I looked at the Gammoreans, with a calculating eye, now. Very dark. For Gammoreans, I mean - it is possible to find a good Gammorean, but their brains don't usually work on that level. And these ones were vicious, even by their species' standards. "Thanks for the warning." I said flatly, "What about the others?"

"Dorak is reasonable. Komad is a pain, but he keeps his distance. I can tell he doesn't like me much." Tanis explained calmly.

"How long have you been a hunter?" I asked, looking at the Twi'lek hunter who was talking to Canderous, rather than Tanis' ugly face.

"Too long, but it beats smuggling." Tanis said brightly, "You ever run into a Sith dreadnaught in the desert? No, you haven't."

"Give me time, I'm sure I could arrange it." I muttered, "You ran into a Sith dreadnaught?" I asked. If he did, I'm surprised he survived.

"Hell, I married her." he said, laughing, "No, no, seriously now, I had this friend that crossed Sith-space and got stripped of everything. It's not like I have much now, I guess, but I still prefer Sand People to getting ambushed on unproven trade routes."

"Uh huh." I said flatly.

"So would you like me to buy you a drink?" Tanis asked. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I could sense the leer through his aura, "You know, very few human females come to Tatooine..."

I looked at him for a few seconds. Glared is more like it, actually. "No."

"Well is there anything else I can do for you?" he asked, his hand moving towards my arm.

I followed his hand with my eyes, "Any part of your body that touches me will be cut off and shoved up your backside." I warned.

He quickly pulled his hand away from me, "No need to get hostile, lady." he said warily, "You coulda just said you're not interested."

I feigned confusion, "But threatening people is more fun."

"You really would like the Gammoreans." Tanis muttered, before hastily leaving me alone.

x x x

"I suggest we go out on the dunes tomorrow." Canderous was saying, "If we set out early, we might make it to the Sandpeople enclave by noon, so we can be under cover at high noon, while we fight. I hear the nocturnal sandstorms are to be avoided."

I nodded, "Sounds like a plan." I said, "So until then, what do you suggest?"

"I've got a suggestion." a cold voice said, not far from us. I turned to see a stocky man, who was glaring viciously at Canderous, "So we meet again, Canderous. It has been quite a long time." he said.

"Jagi?" Canderous asked, stunned.

"Who are you?" I asked the stranger.

"He... he was a warrior under my command up to the battle of Althir." Canderous told me, "But I thought..."

"You thought I was dead, didn't you!" Jagi shouted, "You thought all of us that you had sent on that attack had perished! You sent us to die in a foolish attack while you directed your forces elsewhere! You broke from the battle plan and let us die for it, so that you could have the 'honour' of being the first to the enemy commander!"

I shrugged, "Tough decisions are made in war."

"That does not excuse what he did to us!" Jagi all but yelled.

"I... I did what was prudent at the time." Canderous protested. I remember his story about the battle of Althir - he changed tactics mid-way through the fight, to bring the battle to a swift end. A few lives sacrificed to save many more. "If I had not done it, the battle would have..."

"The battle would have been won anyway!" Jagi interrupted, "I am tired of your excuses, Canderous. I have spent years tracking you down since the clans were banished, and I will not rest until I have had my vengeance!"

I snorted, "What are you planning?"

"I challenge you Canderous. I challenge you to fight the fight you fled that day above Althir." Jagi declared, "In the dune seas, I will be waiting for you. I have spread the news of the challenge since I learned you had landed on this world. All the surviving Mandalorian clans know of what I do here, and that we shall meet on the Dune Sea to settle this debt of vengeance once and for all. If you fail to meet me there, you shall be stripped of all honour and forever cast out of our society!"

Canderous didn't hesitate for a second, "It will be you and me alone in the dune seas of Tatooine: a final battle that can only end in death."

"I shall be waiting for you there, Canderous." Jagi said, arrogantly. He turned and left.

"I don't mean to burst your bubble, Canderous... but I sensed concealment from him." I said warily, "I doubt he plans to go alone."

"I will face him with honour." Canderous growled, "Even if he does not."

"At least let me accompany you." I said flatly, "You know I would never dishonour your duel. But I don't want you to walk into a trap. You are a valuable ally to me."

He nodded, "Very well." he said, smiling faintly.

x x x

After lunch, Canderous and I went out onto the dunes, alone. Onasi made a few snide comments about what Canderous and I might be doing together, but both Bastila and I laughed at him for even suggesting it.

Out on the dunes, it wasn't difficult to find Jagi. His aura stood out strongly in the barren desert. The Sand People blended with the desert, but humans held themselves separate from the world. Even from a distance, I sensed the two other auras near Jagi.

"I told you it was a trap. He's got backup." I said flatly, before we were within sight of Jagi.

"Thank you." Canderous said calmly, "Just don't get in the way... this is important."

"I wouldn't dream of interfering. Your honour is at stake, here. I just intend to ensure that Jagi's accomplices don't interfere, either." I said flatly.

Canderous smiled, and took the lead as we walked over the next dune to see Jagi waiting for us.

"Ah so you managed to come after all." Jagi crowed as we approached, "I see you brought a friend."

"You brought some of your own as well." Canderous noted coldly.

"Ha! Indeed I did." Jagi said, "I foresaw that you might need help so I arranged a distraction."

"I'm only here to make sure this fight is fair." I said flatly, "What would your cronies have done if Canderous had come alone, hmm?"

"I do not need to hear your excuses, Jedi! I know why he brought you!" Jagi yelled.

I growled, "Don't you bloody dare call me a Jedi, you little rancour-shit!" I snarled, "I haven't been a Jedi in years!"

Canderous held up his hand to tell me to keep out of this, "Enough of this talk, Jagi! Let us do what we came here to do."

"Why do you challenge him, Jagi?" I asked.

"In the battle above the world of Althir, he ordered us to attack the enemy flank, promising us support." Jagi snapped, "But when he saw better prospects for his own glory, he abandoned us and left us to die surrounded by enemies!"

"If I had not attacked when I did, the battle would not have been won so easily!" Canderous retorted.

"It would still have been won!" Jagi yelled, "You sent your own men to die there, Canderous. I cannot forgive you for what you did to us! You will pay!"

"What reason did you have to abandon your own warriors, Canderous?" I asked calmly.

"That's not the way it happened..." he said quietly, "The Althiri were fighting hard. I saw a break in their defences that left their centre exposed. I had to take the chance."

I nodded, "It sounds logical to me."

"If I had not done what I did, many more warriors would have died and the battle would have taken much longer." Canderous continued, "I stand by my decision."

"You coward! You glory hunter!" Jagi yelled, "You were given direct orders and were part of a plan! You had a responsibility to us!"

"In the end, more lives were saved than lost, Jagi." I said calmly, "Isn't that the point in war? To defend your clan with your life?"

Canderous coughed slightly, "Maybe you should practice what you preach?" he muttered to me.

I glanced at him, stunned. I hadn't realised what I'd said until I'd said it, "You have a point."

"I never fought for glory, or bloodlust." he said quietly.

I bowed my head, "Just get on with the duel, already?" I suggested, "I don't need a lesson in morals."

"More like 'don't want'." Canderous muttered, before drawing his vibroblades and facing Jagi in a battle-stance.

Jagi and his two cronies drew their own blades.

"Uh uh uh. I don't think so, boys." I waved my hand, and used the Force to instil fear in the minds of the two cronies, making them incapable of fighting. Then stood back and allowed Canderous and Jagi to duel.

The duel was intense, and the desert heat did not help matters. But after almost a quarter of an hour, Canderous did bring Jagi to his knees.

"Canderous is right, you know." I said calmly, "He made the right choice. You deserve death for slandering his honour."

"How is he right?!" Jagi demanded.

"Mandalore taught us that opportunism and flexibility in battle were to be admired." Canderous said, "You may contradict me, but do you contradict him as well?"

"No! I... I... I see that I have been wrong." Jagi said quietly, "I have not been true to the teachings of Mandalore. You were right. I was wrong to question your honour. But I must now cleanse mine with my life."

"And so it shall be." Canderous said, taking a step back. Jagi raised his own blade, and ran it through his own heart.

I sent a blast of the Force at the two lackeys, knocking them unconscious, and stared at Jagi for a minute, before I looked at Canderous. Something in his aura flickered. Uncertainty. "Is something wrong, Canderous?"

"I... I think this has affected me in ways that I didn't anticipate... I think I'll need time to sort things out." he said quietly, "Thanks for what you did, whatever your intentions might have been. I just need... time."

I nodded, "Take all the time you need." I said calmly. I glanced to the west. The first of Tatooine's twin suns had set, and the second was just at the horizon, "As long as you can do it back at the Hawk. It's getting late."

Canderous nodded, and I led the way back to Anchorhead.

x x x

That evening, Mission would insist on exploring Anchorhead again... I told her to be back within three hours, or else I'd lock her on the Ebon Hawk for the rest of the mission.

Three hours later...

"She has not returned." Juhani told me. She and I were the only ones still awake, having agreed to wait up for the girl while everyone else got some sleep.

"Well never let it be said that I make idle threats." I said flatly.

"And Mission is no fool. I am sure she would know to be back in time." Juhani said pointedly.

I sighed, "We have to go find her, don't we?" I asked, exasperated.

"Yes." Juhani stood up, and made for the exit of the ship. I followed not far behind.

"You genuinely care about the girl, don't you?" Juhani asked me, as we made our way through the darkened streets of Anchorhead.

"Yes." I answered quietly, "I don't know why... but I seem to have developed maternal instincts for her."

"Hmmm. That is interesting." Juhani smiled, "It seems even the Sith are human."

"Mmhm." I frowned. "How did you come to join the Jedi?" I asked.

"How I came to be a Jedi?" she asked, startled, "I am sure you would not find it very interesting... Are you sure you would like to hear?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know." I said flatly.

"Well... It goes back a number of years... Back on my homeworld we did not see Jedi very often, especially where I lived."

"Where did you live?" I asked.

"The hind end of space. A pit of a world, to be sure." she said. Her aura an unusual mixture of bitterness and longing - she loved it in spite of the hell it seemed to have been. "Where Jedi rarely tread... But we had heard of them. Well, everyone had, so that is not to be unexpected. Champions of truth. Defenders of justice. Heroes of the Republic." the distant tone she spoke in told me just how much she had idolised the Jedi when she had been young, "It was very easy for a child to be enthralled by their image, their mystique. Maybe I was one of those children."

I nodded, "I suppose it's understandable." I said calmly. I didn't agree with it... but I could understand the whole hero-worshipping-the-Jedi concept. They are powerful, even if they do deny themselves anything that makes them who they are.

"When I saw a Jedi for the first time they lived up to everything my imagination had created them to be." she said, in the same far away tone, "I was awed... and maybe a bit enamoured..."

"Enamoured?" I asked. I wasn't sure if she meant she found the Jedi she met attractive, or if she found that sort of power alluring.

"From that moment on I knew that I would have to try to become a Jedi. To lift myself out of the rut I had been living in for years and to make a real difference, as the Jedi were." she said proudly, "The foolish delusions of a child. But THIS child made it happen! As soon as I was able I left my world and went in search of them. I found them and was accepted. I had been living my dream on Dantooine for several years before you came."

"You are a strong individual who set her mind on something and achieved it against all odds." I said, "Both the Jedi and the Sith respect that." I smiled at her.

She gave me a wary look, "You... 'respect' me?" she asked.

"Yes." I nodded, "You are a powerful ally. I would not wish you as an enemy." I smirked, "And from me, that is a great compliment."

Her pale skin coloured slightly under her light fur, "I thank you for your compliment." she gave me a curious look, "I must ask you something, however. The others on the ship call you Kira. But you told me I would not wish to know your name. I do not see anything wrong in the name Kira."

"It's not my name." I said flatly.

"You lied to them?"

"No. I gave a false impression. But I never outright lied." I said calmly, "I truly believe you would not wish to know my name." I smiled faintly, "However, I am sure you all will know it eventually."

"I can be patient." she said calmly.

I smiled at her... but then I frowned - I could sense Mission's presence, but she was surrounded by three dark, malicious auras. "We should hurry." I said, breaking into a run.

Juhani kept pace with me. "What is it?" she asked.

"Do you sense Dark Jedi?"

"Yes. They are not far from here."

"The innocent they're surrounding?"

"Yes. Is that...?"

"Mission." I used the Force to accelerate my pace, and Juhani still kept up with me.

Soon we could hear Mission's voice. "Look, you guys. I have no idea what you're talking about!" she pleaded, "I mean, I've heard of Bastila - she's that Battle Meditation girl. But I'm not with her, I swear! Come on, please. Just let me go, already! I'm harmless!"

One of the Dark Jedi surrounding her snorted, "There's no point lying to a Sith, kid." he said coldly, "I can sense deception a mile away."

I wrapped the Force around Juhani and myself, so we could not be sensed by the Dark Jedi. Juhani seemed to melt into the background, and I activated my stealth belt, as we approached the group. Three Sith surrounded Mission. The girl was unarmed, but the Sith all had unlit lightsabers in their hands.

"Ok... I'm not harmless. But I swear I'm not of any value to you guys!"

"Not dead, anyway." another of the Sith said, "We could use her as a bartering chip."

"Perhaps." the first Sith said, smirking. He took a step towards Mission, "I think you're a lot more important than you're trying to make us think, kid."

"I ain't no kid, you know!" she snapped. I barely avoided sniggering at that. Even in a life-or-death situation, she has to protest being called a kid.

"Oh yeah?" the first Sith asked, "Well if you're not a kid, how old are you?"

"I'm fourteen years old!" she snapped at him.

"Then you're a kid. Kid." he said coldly.

She glared at him, "Look, I'm not the one you're after. Why're you picking on me, huh?"

"Because you're here. You were travelling with them. And we feel like picking on someone." the third Sith said, his smirk made clear by his tone.

"Uh huh." Mission said coldly. Her hand travelling down to her waist.

A blaster bolt fired at her, from the third Sith. It hit the stealth belt she was wearing with startling accuracy, not actually harming Mission herself, in the slightest. But it also triggered Juhani and I to attack the three Sith. I had been standing right behind the first Sith. Juhani behind the second. Neither survived our first attack.

The third Sith turned to face us. Fear flashed across his aura, and he backed away from the three of us, "Um... I'll... I'll just be leaving, now." he suddenly turned and ran, using the Force to speed up his footsteps.

I threw my lightsaber after him, but he ducked and rolled out of its path, then veered left into a side alley, and out of sight. I frowned as I watched his aura continue to run. Something about that particular Sith seemed familiar. "Coward." I muttered.

"You should just let him go." Juhani said calmly.

"Probably." I sighed, "Are you all right, Mission?" I asked.

"Yeah." she chirped brightly, "Thanks for the help, you guys."

"Anytime, kid." I said brightly. Her eye twitched, but she knew better than to try to correct me. "Let's get back to the Hawk. I need some sleep, if we're going out to find some Sand People tomorrow."

As we walked back, Mission asked me nervously, "Um... you're not going to lock me on the ship, are you? I mean, it wasn't my fault I was late, right?"

"Right." I said calmly, "Not your fault. But I'm not letting you out alone, from now on."

"You're sticking me with a chaperone?" she demanded.

"I was thinking Zaalbar." I said flatly, "But if you want a chaperone, I could arrange for Jolee-"

"No! No, that's ok. Zaalbar's cool." Mission said quickly.

I smirked at her, "Ok, then. Don't go out without your Wookiee friend. It's safer with muscle to back you up."

"You two seemed to do ok." Mission noted.

"We're Force-adept." I said flatly, "And Juhani actually counts as 'muscle', being from a warrior species, and all."

"Right." Mission said sulkily. Juhani smiled faintly.

"You are from Taris, aren't you?" Juhani asked Mission.

"Yeah." Mission said, sadness flashing across her aura, though she kept it out of her voice.

"Perhaps we should talk." Juhani said, glancing warily at me, before leading Mission on ahead of me, back towards the ship.

x x x

The next morning, I woke to the sound of Bastila's scolding voice, "How much longer do you intend to sleep?" she demanded, "It is already second sunrise!"

I blinked, "That's not good." I muttered, getting up, "I thought I said we were leaving at first sunrise?"

"I tried to wake you. You were dead to the world." Bastila snapped.

"Well, that's nothing new." I muttered, starting to get dressed in my Sith robes.

She glared at me, "Your sense of humour leaves much to be desired. You do know this, don't you?"

"Yeah." I grinned darkly, "That's the point."

She sighed, exasperated, "Who is going with you on this excursion?"

"Anyone who wants to." I said flatly, "Except Mission. It's not safe for a kid out there."

"I'm not a kid!" Mission's voice snapped from outside the sleeping quarters, where she deemed it a safe distance to correct me. I used the Force to trip her, so she landed on her butt. "Hey, no fair!" she whined.

Bastila shot me a reproachful glare, but I just smirked and shrugged.

x x x

I ended up taking Onasi and HK-47 with me, to the dunes. We rented a landspeeder, from a man just inside the gate.

We had barely made it out the gate when a woman stopped us, to say, "Hello there. You're heading out to the desert? You're a hunter right? You must be if you've been allowed to leave Anchorhead. When you see Tanis, and I know you know him, tell him his wife hopes he enjoys the anniversary gift."

"What makes you think I know him?" I demanded coldly.

"Don't play dumb. You're just another of his playthings down at that 'hunting' club." she said coldly, "I know your type through and through."

"I am nobody's plaything!" I snarled, "Tanis... I know him, yes... he did try to come on to me... but I threatened to mutilate him if he tried to touch me. I may mutilate you if you dare imply I would be that bloody desperate!"

Onasi sniggered, and coughed something that sounded suspiciously like, "Davik's slaves."

I turned around and whacked him in the side of the head. Not too violently, just enough to tell him to shut the hell up, "So it's Tanis' wedding anniversary, is it? I must give him my present... a black eye." I said brightly.

She raised an eyebrow at me, "I'm not sure if I believe you or not. I tend to hope you are telling the truth."

"I don't lie. The truth is so much more painful." I said brightly, "So what's this gift? I can sense a great deal of malice in you when you mention it."

"What are you, a Jedi or something?"

"Something." I said flatly, "So what's the present I'm supposed to pass on a message about?"

She blinked, then shrugged, "Just a little something to remember me by. Something that symbolizes our years together. Something that will blow up in his face. Of course, he'll never understand how appropriate it is. He can't talk his way out of this one. He's not smart enough."

I smirked, "You sound like you're planning to kill him."

"Oh, I'm through planning." she said, "I just left him a little mess that he has to take care of. If he's smart, he'll be just fine." she grinned cruelly, "But he's not smart."

"This is your type of woman, Kira." Onasi muttered, "Cruel and vengeful. You should make friends."

"Funny, Onasi." I said flatly, "I never did get on well with my own kind, though." I turned to the woman, "I have to go, now. We're already running late."

"I'm sure you do. Like I said, when you see him, tell him his wife Marlena says hello." she turned and walked into Anchorhead.

"You met this man?" Onasi asked.

"Yeah." I said blandly, "You heard what I said about him. I threatened him with grievous bodily harm if he touched me. He may not be smart, but a brain-dead Gammorean is smart enough not to push me." I pondered this for a moment, "Hell, even Jolee's smart enough not to push me, and he takes pleasure in pissing people off."

Onasi laughed, "You are a strange woman, Kira."

"Yes. I am, aren't I?" I said brightly.

We set off towards the Sandcrawler. Czerka wanted me to follow them, and see if we could kill some Sand People, so that was what we would do. Besides, I wanted to find that core-slime that called himself Mission's brother... and the Sand People reportedly were the last to see him, dead or alive. HK-47 could come in handy, here.

We were half-way to the Sandcrawler when we heard a voice that was, unfortunately, familiar to me, "Anyone out there...? Could you help? I seem to be... ah... doomed."

"Who's that?" Onasi asked, indicating the desperate looking figure who was calling to us.

"Tanis." I said flatly.

"Oh." Onasi sat back and pretended he hadn't heard Tanis call for help.

I glanced at Onasi, "I thought you were the type to rush in and save people in trouble?"

"Some people deserve what they get. He cheated on his wife... I think he deserves whatever she sees fit to do to him."

"Hmmm." I smirked darkly, "I tend to agree with you. Though Marlene did ask me to tell him she says 'hi'... I think I'll taunt him a little." I hopped out of the landspeeder, and walked over to Tanis. Onasi and HK-47 followed me closely.

"Hey there, thanks for stopping. I appreciate it." Tanis said gratefully, "I've been stuck without water for hours. Wasn't looking good. Could you... hey, I remember you. You're the young lady from Fazza's club. Talk about answered prayers."

"Query: May I blast him, master?"

"Be patient, HK." I muttered to the droid. Then to Tanis, I said, "Your wife says 'hi', by the way."

"I'll bet she does." Tanis said coldly, "She's decided I've finally worn out my welcome, and she's 'fixed' my droids to do her dirty work. I triggered some sort of trap she programmed. She probably figured I wouldn't be smart enough to get out. Uh, she was right."

"Hmmm. I like her style." I said brightly.

"Commentary: I would have done a much more efficient job than these piles of junk appear to have done." HK-47 noted.

"I'm sure you would have, HK. I'll remember to set you on any unfaithful lovers I have." I glanced at Onasi as I said that, just to see his reaction. He was carefully not showing any feelings on his face, but his aura showed amusement at the situation. Interesting. Looks like soldier-boy isn't the perfect goody-two-shoes he likes to think he is.

"Hey, I'm the victim here." Tanis whined, "I'm not sure how divorce works where you're from, but this is a little extreme, don't you think?"

"I've done worse to people who've pissed me off." I said brightly.

"Worse than tried to make them starve to death?!" Tanis demanded.

"You'd be surprised what you can live through." I said ominously.

"Uh huh." Tanis said warily, "I'd, ahh, really appreciate a bit of help. Please?"

"Um... let me think." I feigned thought on the matter, "No."

"What? Why? What did I do to you?" Tanis whined.

"I just don't like you." I said flatly.

"Well, I suppose I couldn't ask for a more valid reason than that." he said sarcastically. Then took on a desperate tone as he said, "That's all?! That's it?! What are you, my wife? So you just want me to die? That is just... so... typical of the people I meet... and marry. Thanks a lot!"

"You're welcome." I said brightly, "It's the cruellest death. Maybe I'll watch while sipping ice water."

"Well fine, I'll... stay pretty much right here I guess." he sulked a little, "You can just get lost. I'll... I'll..." he laughed nervously, "You're kidding, right. Right? Come on!"

"I'm not kidding. You'll die here." I said, smirking darkly.

"Nobody looks out for their neighbour anymore." Tanis grumbled, "Well, if this is it, I'd rather get it over with and maybe take you out with me. So, let's see how these rigged-out droids like me jumping around. Hopefully the explosion kills you too!"

He started jumping up and down, and the droids exploded around him. I used the Force to shield myself, Onasi and HK-47 from the blast.

"Well, if he's stupid enough to do that... no wonder he couldn't figure out how to disarm them." I said flatly, as the dust settled and I dropped the Force shields.

"I hate to agree with you, but... you're probably right." Onasi muttered.

I looted Tanis' corpse and the ruined droids, to find some salvageable things, before returning to the landspeeder, and setting off towards the sandcrawler.

x x x

When we disembarked from the landspeeder, near the sandcrawler, there were three Czerka miners standing nearby, looking terrified.

"Who are you?" their clear leader asked us, "Ah. It doesn't matter. Can you handle a blaster? They may attack again at any second. I doubt we could hold out on our own against another wave of them."

"Let me guess. Sandpeople?" I asked.

"You would be right." he said, "Came out of nowhere. Wait... Damn it! Here they come again! How do they do that!"

I could sense the Sand People behind me, as I faced the miner. Their aura's weren't malicious... it was more like they thought they were defending their home. They blended with the desert itself, until they chose to attack, which made for an uncanny ability to ambush enemies. "HK, have fun." I pointed over my shoulder at the Sand People.

"Affirmative." the droid said cheerfully, setting to work blasting the Sand People.

"So, what can you tell me about the Sand People?" I asked the miner. I had cast Force shields around us, to block out what little blaster fire came our way. HK-47 was gleefully distracting and dismembering the Sand People, which left us free to talk.

The miners were glancing past me nervously, but were clearly amazed at HK-47's skill at killing things, "Just that they attack everything on sight." the lead miner said, "Well, I suppose they don't attack each other, but any outsider is as good as dead. The company tried to arm us, and even set up remote self-powered turrets on the mining route, but...but that just made things worse. It's like a fortress now. I don't know how you're going to break through all of that. Me, I'd sneak in. Well, actually, I would just get back to Anchorhead."

"You do that." I said flatly.

The last of the Sand People were killed, and HK-47 returned to my side, "Statement: Thank you, master. I greatly enjoy a massacre in the morning."

The miner gave HK-47 a wary look, before saying, "Thanks for your help. I don't think we'll try holding this position for much longer. We're not soldiers." he beckoned to his men, and started the arduous trek back to Anchorhead.

I looted the Sand People corpses, and found some semi-presentable coverings, along with a few gaffi sticks. "Bounties on these." I muttered, putting the sticks in the landspeeder.

"What do we do about this, when we go to the Sand People enclave?" Onasi asked, indicating the landspeeder.

"You mind it. I'm gonna take HK and have some fun." I said brightly.

"You're leaving me here?" Onasi demanded.

"I trust you to keep our supplies for the return journey safe." I said calmly, "It's an important job, we can't afford to lose the speeder and get caught in a sandstorm after dark. HK and I can handle the Sand People fine by ourselves. You can wait in the shade of those rock formations over there, while we walk down to the Sand People enclave."

"You've got this all worked out, haven't you?" he asked coldly, "I'm not going to talk my way out of this, am I?"

"That's right." I said cheerfully, "Now let's get going."

x x x

I left Onasi and the speeder where I said I would, and walked the relatively short distance to the Sand People enclave, wearing the coverings I had stolen, with HK-47 in tow. We passed their initial security easily enough.

However, once inside the enclave, our cover was quickly blown. I went for my weapons as the Sand People guard roared angrily, radiating clear hostility from his aura. "Interjection: One moment... I believe I understood that, master. It may not have been his intention, but he did actually communicate something."

I frowned. I hadn't been expecting this. While HK-47 was programmed with exponential language-comprehension capabilities, I hadn't thought the Sand People were sentient. This changes my plans somewhat. "Tell him we wish to speak to his leader."

"Translation:" HK-47 proceeded to produce a series or roars and snorts that I couldn't understand. The Sand People warrior replied, and I could sense confusion from his aura, "Translation: He is expressing disbelief... as am I... but his duty requires that he report to the Chieftain. Extrapolation: It would seem that we are at least worthy of curiosity, for the moment. I would much rather this get bloody, master, but it is your call."

"Patience, you bloodthirsty piece of metal." I muttered.

We were escorted to the Sand People chieftain's room. The chieftain roared at us, and HK-47 informed me, "Translation: I can translate with some guarantee of accuracy that he is demanding to know why he should let us survive this encounter, master."

I sensed out the room and surrounding area. It wasn't easy to sense the Sand People, when they try to make themselves blend in with the aura of the planet itself, but I could tell how many of them surrounded us. The chieftain, and half a dozen warriors, in this room. A dozen warriors in the next room, and more still throughout the enclave.

If we picked a fight, it would be a bloodbath. HK-47 certainly would have fun with this, if I let him. "Tell him we were sent to find a way to stop the attacks on Czerka."

"Caution: that wording may not go down well."

"I'm not going to lie to him." I said coldly, "I've no interest in peace, but I'm willing to see if it's possible. Do not threaten him, but don't make me sound like a bloody wimp, either."

"Translation:" HK-47 made a series of growls and snorts that the Sand People chieftain seemed to understand. He replied, and HK-47 turned back to me, "Translation: He claims he has no reason to believe you, master. Your kind have tainted this land with machines and uncaring ignorant feet. Translation: He requires proof of good faith. We must make a contribution to his people that shows we are not a threat. Shall I blast him now, master?"

"Ask what proof he requires." I said coldly.

HK-47 translated my query to the Sand People chieftain, and then translated the reply, "Translation: He plans to move his people farther from Anchorhead, but they need to build up stores of water first. He says you must aid him. Translation: He wants moisture vaporators from the Czerka. If you deliver them, he will order that his people reduce their attacks on miners."

"He wants me to waste my money in the Czerka store to help him?" I asked.

"Answer: It would appear so, master. May I blast him now?"

"Yes." I said flatly, "I'm too lazy to run errands for him. Blast away."

"Agreement: That is probably the most efficient course of action. This will be enjoyable." HK-47 proceeded to slaughter the Sand People in the room. I just stood back and watched. It was interesting to watch them join the Force... they melted into the aura of their world instead of joining the greater Force of the galaxy. When the room was cleared of organic meatbags, HK-47 stepped out of the room, and engaged the Sand People in the next room.

I looted the Sand People chieftain's corpse, to find his gaffi stick, and a map. I looted the other warriors, and then followed HK-47 through the enclave, as he wiped out the rest of the inhabitants.

I was going to make plenty of money out of Czerka, for this. But I couldn't help the nagging feeling that maybe I should have tried to find another way to deal with this situation. I shoved that thought out the nearest airlock, immediately.

We were about halfway through our homicidal sweep of the enclave, when I heard a tapping noise to my left. I opened the door there, to find a small group of Jawa, which were clearly being held captive. All but one of them were meticulously hammering at the floor with stones, and had made the beginnings of an escape tunnel... they had a long way to go, however.

[You are not the ghostly giants that hold us trapped, the People of Sand. You are from the old city new.] the Jawa who was not hammering said to me, in their trade language, [Iziz must have sent your coming. Are you a rescuer? You must be.]

"I do not know any Iziz." I said flatly, "Why should I rescue you?"

[Iziz needs us free. He would reward you, we know!] the Jawa said desperately.

"Reward?" I asked. Then I descended to their trade language, which has more words for value and trade than Basic ever could, [What reward would Iziz give?]

[We would not know. Iziz would give fair trade to you.] the Jawa said, hopefully.

"Very well... go. They're too busy fighting me to operate the turrets." I said flatly.

[There are thanks you must have. The Jawas under Iziz will reward in trade.] the Jawa said, beckoning its (it is impossible to tell a Jawa's gender... unless you're another Jawa) fellow Jawa to follow it, [Find him and you will see. Iziz will wait by the walls of your city that open to the sand. He'll trade fair. Thank you.]

As the Jawa left, I sensed another aura, through the door opposite the one to the Jawa's cell. A slimy aura that begged a punch in the face... it was quite light... but by no means a truly good person. Most definitely not one of the Sand People, though - it considered itself separate from the sands. There was a familiar element in it, too. The hereditary element of the aura reminded me of Mission.

I opened the door, to reveal a blue Twi'lek man, in tattered Czerka mining clothes, "Uh... you there! I'm... I'm a high ranking executive of the Czerka Corporation!" he said, desperation radiating from him in waves, "Eh... there's a big reward if you take me back to Anchorhead!"

"You're lying, Griff." I said flatly.

"Eh... how can you tell?" he asked innocently. Then he blinked, "Hey, how'd you know my name?"

"You're Mission's brother." I said bluntly, "And I really would suggest you not lie to me, unless you would like me to pull your tongue out through your backside."

"Meep." he squeaked, "You know Mission? Are you from Czerka Corporation? Please, tell me what's going on here!"

"From what I've heard... and from what I can see by just looking at you... you're trouble. Why shouldn't I just kill you like I killed the Sand People?" I asked coldly.

"Hey, there's no call for that." he said quickly, "If you know Mission like you say, you'll know she'd want me alive. I'm her dear brother."

"Really sweet of you to ditch her on Taris." I hissed.

"Hey, it's not like that!" he whined, "I was going to come back for her!"

"What did I tell you about lying?" I asked flatly.

"Um..."

I waved my hand, and used the Force to make him swallow his own tongue. He gurgled incoherently for a minute, before I fixed the damage I had done, "That was a warning."

"But..." he seemed like he was about to say he hadn't been lying... but decided it would be a bad idea, "You know Mission... where is she?"

"She's on my ship." I said flatly, "And since the Sand People are gone... if you can avoid the homicidal droid I set loose in this place, you're free to go." I took a step back, to let him leave. But he didn't go. "Now what, Griff?" I growled.

"You may have saved my life, but I don't have a single credit to my name." he said, "Say, you wouldn't be able to spare me some credits? Just till I get back on my feet, you know?"

"Do I look like a generous soul?" I asked acidly, "The only effort I am likely to expend for your sake is to order the aforementioned homicidal droid to eliminate you, specifically. Would you like me to do that?"

"Um... no thanks." he said weakly.

"Then make yourself somewhere that's else." I snapped.

He ran, fled, maybe skedaddled.

x x x

I returned to where I had left Onasi, as the first sun was setting. "So... how did it go?" he asked warily.

"It was a bloodbath." I said brightly.

"So you had fun, then?" he asked coldly.

"Yeah." I said, nodding.

"What is that?" he asked, indicating the bag HK-47 was carrying.

"Gaffi sticks, and a surprise gift for Czerka." I said brightly.

"Dare I ask what the surprise is?" Onasi asked warily.

"You'll see when we get back." I said flatly.

We were half-way back to Anchorhead, and it was getting close to second sunset, when we heard the voice calling us. "Anyone! I'm trapped under here! Please help me!" it was a female voice, coming from the direction of a crashed speeder.

"What was that?" Onasi asked... I saw quite clearly how the voice caught his attention... he obviously wanted to save the damsel in distress.

"Sounded like someone crying for help." I said flatly, stopping the speeder next to the wreckage.

"We should help them." Onasi said immediately, leaping out of the speeder and rushing for the wreckage.

Something didn't feel right... there was no life essence under that wreckage. "Wait, Onasi!" I snapped.

He hesitated, "Don't let me die under here! Please!" the voice called from the wreckage. Onasi reacted predictably, running over to the wreckage, in spite of my call to stop.

"There's no one there." I said quietly. He wouldn't have believed me if I'd said it loud enough for him to hear. I sensed three malicious, and familiar, auras nearby. "HK, stealth." I hissed. The droid practically melted into the background, I could only see it because I knew to look. I bolted behind the speeder, just as the explosion went off. I could sense that it hadn't been fatal, but Onasi was seriously injured, and now unconscious.

Cruel piggy laughter sounded through the dunes, [We gots you good now!] I sensed the three Gammoreans approach the wreck, surrounding Onasi.

"I could just let them rob him... but this way's more bloody and more fun." I whispered to the droid. I stepped out from behind the speeder, "Hey, piggies!" I snapped, "I believe that is my property you're plotting to loot."

[What you talking about?] one of the Gammoreans demanded.

[We did a good ambush and you and you better pay... uh... maybe five hundred credits now!] another of them said, waving his axe in my general direction, [You die otherwise!]

I laughed at them, "That man is mine. You touch one singed hair on his head, I will turn you into bacon-bits."

[Uh... what?] one of them asked, confused, [Gurke said they be easy picking!]

[Shut up, stupid!] their apparent leader snorted, [They are just bluffing you! They got no hope at all!]

I looked at them with amusement. Then when I spoke, I backed up my words with the Force, "You fear me! Cower, little piggy!"

Their leader got the full blast of it, [Wuh! Ah, we are sorry about everything! Yeah, everything! We'll leave now!]

[They don't seem that scary to me, Gurke. You sure?] one of the other two Gammoreans asked.

[Shut up and run, stupid!] Gurke snapped, [You want to die? Yeesh!]

"Too late." I said cheerfully, and with the slightest of hand-signals from me, HK-47 began blasting the unfortunate Gammoreans.

I stepped over the corpse of the Gammorean's leader, and knelt next to Onasi, checking that he was all right.

"Wake up, you girl, you." I snapped.

He opened one eye to glare at me, "What did you just call me?" he demanded, his voice cracking slightly.

"You fainted like a little girl from one measly explosion." I said brightly, helping him to sit up.

"Extrapolation: I believe the explosion was designed to be fatal. Your meatbag companion is more resilient than most, master."

I shot HK-47 a glare for that, "I'm trying to taunt him, here." I snapped, "Don't argue with me!"

Onasi laughed, "Nice to see how much you care about me." he muttered sarcastically.

"If I didn't care, I'd have let them rob you... I'd have been half-way back to Anchorhead already." I said flatly.

He looked at me, stunned, "Are you telling me you care about something other than yourself?"

"Don't tell anyone." I said flatly, "But yes... like I said on Dantooine, you're mine because I saved your life... and I wouldn't have those Gammoreans damaging my property, now would I?"

He raised an eyebrow at that, "I don't consider myself anyone's property, Kira."

"Yeah. Well be grateful. I'm protective of my possessions." I said, "Otherwise you'd likely be dead by now."

He shrugged, not wanting to admit to needing help, and picked himself up to his feet. It seemed a great effort, and it took him some time to limp to the speeder.

x x x

We got back to Anchorhead just after second sunset. We didn't have time to visit Czerka, it was too late and Onasi was seriously injured. Also, there were no Jawa anywhere to be found. I would deal with both those little problems in the morning.

"Where have you been? We expected you back at least an hour ago!" Juhani snapped - she seemed genuinely concerned, in spite of her scolding demeanour.

"We got ambushed." Onasi muttered.

"Some Gammoreans tried to rob Onasi... I killed them." I said brightly. A faint sound of gears whirring came from HK-47, and I quickly amended, "Well, I had HK kill them."

"Beep boop beep beep." T3-M4 interjected.

"Query: What are you, four?" HK asked sarcastically.

"Beep bop boop."

"Dejection: I had to ask."

I sniggered. "Play nice with it, HK. It does all the repair work on the ship." HK's eyes flashed at me for that, but it remained silent.

Juhani was eyeing Onasi with concern, "He does not look well."

"I was going to dump him in the medbay, let Jolee fix him." I said flatly.

"You're so considerate, Kira." Onasi muttered sarcastically.

"I thought I was very considerate, dragging your sorry ass all the way back to the ship, Onasi." I said. He sniggered weakly. "I should get you to the medbay, shouldn't I?" I muttered, dragging him further into the ship.

Jolee was waiting for us when we reached the medbay, "What happened here, then?"

"He was too chivalrous for his own good." I chirped brightly.

"No need to remind me." he looked up at me, "Tell me something. You can sense people without seeing them. Was there really anyone under there?"

"No. I think it was a recording. I sensed no life from it. That's why I told you to wait." I said pointedly.

"It's not like your advice is always so compassionate." he muttered, wincing as Jolee applied some healing ointment to the burn on his face. Jolee then used the Force to aid the healing, so it wouldn't leave a scar. I sat and watched the process, intently. I had once been able to heal like that... but I lost that skill when I turned to the dark side.

"Ahem. Scoot, kid." Jolee said, trying to usher me out of the room.

"What?" I asked, offended at the way he had said it, more than the fact he was trying to get rid of me.

" Leave. Depart. Vacate the premises. Be elsewhere. Go. Shoo. Amscray. Skedaddle." Jolee reiterated.

"But-"

"But nothing. Scram." he chased me out of the room, and I glared at the door that had closed behind me.

Then I made my way through the ship to the sleeping quarters. We would have to travel all day tomorrow, to reach the cave, and I intended to get some rest first.

Of course, it wouldn't be that simple. Bastila was in the sleeping quarters, looking glum. "What's the matter, Bastila?" I asked, my tone gentle... she was my bond-sister, and I couldn't be cruel to her, though it was my first instinct.

"I... I encountered someone in the docking bay, while you were out on the dunes." she explained, "She told me... she told me my mother was ill... and that she was here, on Tatooine." she frowned, "I went to see her."

"And what happened?" I asked, sitting next to her, and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. I knew she had not been on good terms with her mother. It can't have been the sweetest of family reunions... though I tended to hope it went better than the last family reunion I witnessed.

"She was... no different than I remembered her." Bastila said coldly, "Though she did ask me for help." she frowned, "I am unsure if I should bother."

"What did she ask?"

"She told me my father had died in a hunting expedition." she said quietly, "She wants me to find his holocron, for her."

"Hunting?"

"A krayt dragon."

"Oh, that's a piece of cake." I said sarcastically, "Doesn't ask much, does she? Recover something from one of those things' lairs? May as well ask you to take a dive into a Saarlac pit."

Bastila gave me an odd look, "I am unsure of whether or not I should try to help her." she said quietly, "I seem to find it difficult to remain objective when it comes to her. I find that... disturbing."

"She's family... no matter what your relationship with her, she's still family." I said, "It's only natural for you to want to help her." I paused for a second, before asking, "You said she was ill?"

"I have my doubts as to whether she's actually sick." she said coldly, "Mother used to lie about many things to get her way. She is a selfish woman who pushed my father into doing what she wished."

"Sounds like my kind of woman." I muttered.

She shot me a glare, "She is nothing like you-" the word 'Revan' echoed in my mind as if she had said it aloud as well, "She may not be the nicest woman in the galaxy, but your history is far worse!"

"And now you defend her." I said quietly, "Whatever you may say about her, she's still your mother and you love her... am I right?"

She folded her arms and turned away from me. I was right, but she didn't want to admit it. So she changed the subject abruptly, "When we were on Kashyyyk, you offered to give me a lesson in Sith precepts..."

I smirked, "And I thought you implied you didn't want one?"

"I'm not sure I do." she said bluntly, "I am... fascinated, however, by the fact you fought without passion, when the Sith are thought to let their passions rule them."

I smiled, and moved to sit on my own bed, as I started to speak, "Passion is a source of a Sith's power. But if you let it rule you, it shows your weakness of will. Willpower is paramount. Giving in to the likes of Force Rage can be beneficial to a fight, on a temporary basis... but to be totally ruled by passion is never desirable."

"Why is that?" Bastila asked. She knew her own reasons, but not mine.

"The entire purpose of the Sith is to gain control. Power over other people. But without control over yourself, how can you hope to have that?" I asked.

"I suppose that makes some sense."

"The ability to shove all your emotions - especially the likes of compassion and love - out of your mind when cold hard logic is what is needed, is essential to becoming a Sith Lord."

She nodded, "When a decision needs to be made that cannot afford to be affected by emotion..."

"Even the Jedi see that. The difference is that the Sith can use their passions, emotions, and feelings to their advantage." I said, "Anger can fuel a fight, giving strength through sheer will to hurt the source of the anger. Hatred is the same, though much stronger. A Sith who wants something strongly can use that lust to fuel their search through the Force, making it more likely for them to find it... like when I was searching for you, on Taris."

She nodded again, "I can see the logic behind that."

"But clear thought is essential. No battle can be won through sheer might. You can have infinite armies, as Malak has, and still lose if you have no coherent battle plan. The galaxy can tremble at the power you wield, but aim it in the wrong direction and they'll soon be laughing at you instead."

Bastila laughed at my analogy, "Interesting way to put it."

"I thought so." I said brightly, "The goal of the Sith is to gain power over others. Control them. Rule. That requires skill as well as strength. And while strength can be gained through passion... diplomacy and skill are only attainable when calm. When focused."

She nodded, "So why did you not use your passion to fight that Mandalorian?"

"I didn't need to." I said, shrugging, "He wasn't a challenge. And I could relish the fear I sensed from him more easily without the blindness of my anger."

"See, I was beginning to understand you, and you go and say something so cruel." she said coldly.

"It's the truth, though." I said quietly, "I've grown so accustomed to the violence and darkness that to sense pain and death on the Force gives me a genuine high."

She shivered, "I cannot imagine such a thing."

"If you ever turn, you will understand." I said, "But no Jedi can see the full extent of the allure of the dark side until they have felt it. What you know of the dark side is merely the tip of the iceberg... you have to be pulled under to see the full glory of it."

She shivered at the analogy, "I hope I never do."

"That's your choice." I said quietly, "You may think differently, one day."

x x x

Onasi was still in the medbay in the morning. I took Canderous and Bastila with me, rented the same landspeeder again, and headed out towards the eastern dunes just after second sunrise. We would visit Czerka before we left the planet, but finding the Star Map did take priority over my petty amusement at Czerka's expense.

The journey was much less eventful, until we reached the cave... all that remained of the once-great temple to an ancient race. A worn down ruin, blasted by sandstorms, and crumbling with time. An echo of its former glory, and a testament to the power of its makers that it had lasted this long. The droids that guarded it had long ago corroded with sand-rot, and been salvaged by the Jawas.

But something else had been summoned by the dark presence of the map, to guard it. As the Force would have it - this map needs a powerful guardian. Whether to protect the treasure from threats, or to keep it from ever being found, is uncertain. More than likely both, for only through that could both the dark and the light collaborate to bring such a powerful beast here.

I sensed the dragon from a mile off, "Bastila..." I said quietly.

"Yes?" she asked, sharply.

"It looks like you may find your father's holocron, after all." I said, "I sense a dragon, in the temple ruin."

"A- a dragon?" Bastila asked, stunned, "How are we supposed to find the Star Map if it is guarded by a dragon?"

"I'm not sure. But I knew the journey was too quiet for us to have an easy time of it." I muttered.

We stopped a safe distance from the mouth of the cave, just in time to hear some fool of a hunter shouting, "I'm tired of waiting, Komad. How big can this dragon of yours be? I'm going in!" and rush into the cave. An agonised scream, and the taste of death on the Force told me he died a quick and terrified death.

I got out of the landspeeder, and walked slowly over to Komad - the Twi'lek I had seen Canderous talking to in the Hunting Lodge, [Greetings to you, human.] Komad said to me, [I believe I saw you in Anchorhead. I thought I would see you on the dunes. You look like a hunter.] Canderous and Bastila caught up with me, and Komad turned his attention to Canderous, [Ah, I remember you.] he said... his tone seemed one of wary respect.

"From the sound of it, it looks like you found what you were looking for." Canderous said, smirking.

[Unfortunately, some hunters do not believe in patience.] Komad grumbled, [Perhaps you could assist me?]

"We need something that's in that cave. The dragon wasn't there last time I was here." I said flatly.

Bastila shot me a sharp look.

'Canderous already knows who I am, Jedi... keep your hair on.' I thought, smirking. She glared at me.

[I have no knowledge of that, but there may be something in there.] Komad said, [There are signs that this lair was purposefully dug out. Krayt are opportunistic, and may have lazily moved into someone else's excavation. Of course, we must remove him to see.]

I nodded, "We will help your hunt."

Komad raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Canderous - it seemed he thought Canderous was in charge, here.

"Don't look at me." Canderous said brightly, "She's the Boss Lady."

I smirked, "So how can we help you kill the dragon?"

[We must bait the great beast out of hiding and ambush him swiftly. There is no room to engage him in the lair, and his hide will repel blaster fire.] Komad explained. [I have placed mines around the mouth of the cave. We must coax him out, but this is the end of his season of hibernation. It will take much to rouse him.]

"What sort of bait were you thinking of?" I asked warily.

[The food of a beast this size is almost exclusively banthas... and foolish hunters, if we are not careful. To lure him out we must lure his food to tempt him.]

"Bantha." I muttered, glancing out into the desert - I could see a herd of the creatures not too far from us, "How do we lure them here?"

[They too have their food of choice. We must find some bantha fodder to lead the banthas here.] Komad explained, [I have a few ideas about where this may be found. Sand People keep bantha herds, so some of them must have fodder on hand or in their settlement. A vendor in Anchorhead also had some. He had a kiosk in the spaceport.]

"You mean that vile smelling stuff the Sand People warriors were carrying?" I asked flatly. I wrinkled my nose as I took out the sealed jar in which I had put the offending item, "This?"

[Yes. Good.] Komad said, [Now, there is a herd that moves out in the desert. Lead them here. Approach them with the fodder and lead them here.]

I frowned, "If it was that easy, you'd have done it already." I said flatly.

He looked a little embarrassed when he answered, [There is one added threat. The Sand People regard banthas as sacred. Attempting to feed the herd in this area will likely lead to an attack.]

"Sand People? No problem. I've dealt with their kind before." I said blandly.

[You likely mean the tribe that has been harassing Czerka Corporation.] he shook his head, [This group is used to the deep desert. They appear to be much more dangerous.]

"Phht." I said, dismissively, "We'll be fine."

The Sand People really were not difficult to kill. And we lured the banthas to the mouth of the cave. The dragon really was huge - for a moment, I wondered if mere mines could do any harm to it - but it did die before it reached the banthas.

Komad slowly approached the dead beast, and slit its throat with a knife. A minute later, he returned to where the rest of us stood, [It is done, and the great beast is dead. To my shame, I denied him a final fight, but I will honour his memory to make amends. I thank you for your aid, human. You have earned a share of the victory, such as it is.]

He handed me a pearl. I had heard rumours that larger dragons had such pearls in their throats, but I hadn't expected it to be true. I accepted it without argument, "Thanks. We did what had to be done."

[Regrettably so.] Komad said - he sounded sad. It confused me that a natural hunter would feel guilt at killing his prey... but... it seems that giving the beast a dishonourable death dishonoured the hunter, in his eyes. Fascinating. [I just hope you remember there were higher reasons for this. Don't let the spoils be your only reason to hunt. Wealth fades. The sands remain.]

I tilted my head to one side as he said this. Everything fades in time. Even the sand will, eventually. Even the stars. "I'm not sure that's entirely true." I said quietly, "But believe what you will."

He gave me a curious look, before shrugging slightly, and leaving us alone in the mouth of the cave.

We recorded the Star Map coordinates, and against all odds, found Bastila's father's holocron... among other interesting trinkets.

"Are you going to give the holocron to her?" I asked Bastila, as Canderous guided the speeder back towards Anchorhead.

"Do you think I should?" she asked me.

"What does my opinion matter?" I asked flatly, "I'm an ex-Sith Lord. You're a Jedi. Like you'd take my advice."

She frowned at me, "I asked your opinion, didn't I?"

I shrugged, "Do you need it more than she does?"

"I would like to keep something to remember Father as much as she would." she said coldly.

"Maybe you're right." I said.

She frowned, "Maybe... but..." she sighed. I knew perfectly well that my comment that I was an ex-Sith Lord had hit a nerve... reverse psychology works wonders. "I would have thought my Jedi training would have put me past this kind of pettiness. I wish... I really don't want to think about this." yet she had made up her mind, even if she wouldn't admit it to herself, that she would at least speak to her mother again, about it.

x x x

We found a Jawa waiting for us at the gates of the settlement, this time. It was just approaching first sunset, so people were still milling around, and the Jawa had not yet made themselves scarce for the night. [You of your kind, Iziz of Jawa would thank you for what was done. Mine have returned because of you.]

[Reward was mentioned by Jawa under Iziz.] I noted pointedly, in the trade language the Jawa use. It is an oddly structured language, and I'm told it isn't even Jawa's natural language (which is completely incomprehensible to humans), but it is simple to learn, for those who have a skill for languages.

[You speak in words of Trade.] Iziz said, surprised, [Strange. You are of your kind, but are unlike them too. You have saved the tribe of Iziz, and we of Jawa are willing to trade. You will have some things for yourself, as thanks for what was done. Take and be welcome.]

Iziz gave me several credits, and pieces of salvaged droids and machinery. It was a meagre offering, but considering what the small creatures could likely afford, or find, when Czerka dominated this world for now, it was likely all they could afford to pay. [Thanks to you, Iziz.] I replied, before leading Bastila and Canderous back to the Ebon Hawk.

"Is there any language you don't speak?" Canderous asked, a little too innocently, as we walked.

"Sand People." I said flatly, "But HK speaks that quite fluently."

"Besides that." Canderous muttered.

"Well. Um... not that I know of." I said, shrugging.

We returned to the ship, where I found HK-47 waiting for me. Bastila and Canderous made themselves elsewhere - Bastila to go and meet with her mother - and Canderous to modify some weapons, which seems to be one of his favourite pastimes.

I ordered HK-47 to "Bring the 'surprise', and follow me." in spite of not being fully recovered from the ambush the previous day, Onasi insisted on following me, purely to see what the 'surprise' was. The burns on his face had healed perfectly, which I couldn't help but be pleased about, though I couldn't think why. But he was still relatively weak, from the explosion. Force heal works wonders, but it's not a miracle-cure.

Mission also tagged along, because she had met Griff earlier today, and he said he had a job at Czerka. She didn't want to look like she wanted to talk to him, but she wanted to see what he'd gotten himself into now. So tagging along with me gave her an excuse.

The three of us walked into the Czerka office, closely followed by HK-47, who was carrying the bag from yesterday's raid against the Sand People. I gestured for the droid to open the bag for me, which released a fouls smell into the room. The Czerka rep was giving me a dirty look, Mission covered her mouth and nose with her hand, Onasi raised an eyebrow at me but I'm sure being a seasoned soldier he's encountered worse smells.

I pulled the 'surprise' out of the bag, and dumped it on the floor in front of the Czerka rep, who gave me a disgusted look. I smiled brightly, "Oh, don't worry. I brought his gaffi stick as well." I said, handing her the aforementioned stick, to go with the severed head of the Sand People chieftain on her office floor.

The Czerka rep fought the urge to vomit, before saying, "That was most unnecessary." in a weak voice... then she regained her composure somewhat, "The cost of cleaning the floor will come out of your reward. I estimate that will half what I would have given you."

"HK." I said brightly, waving my hand. The droid tipped out the bag, onto the floor, revealing over a hundred gaffi sticks, "I'll be wanting rewards for these, as well." I said, smirking.

Onasi snorted with suppressed laughter, then clutched his side in pain, as if laughing hurt. He was still smirking, though.

The Czerka rep took a minute to respond, weakly, "Well, that is a very big headache that you have removed. I'm sure there are still Sand People out there, but they will be quieter now." her voice sounded like she wished she could say something insulting to me, but... "I would offer to give you a bonus for this. You've more than lived up to your side of the bargain, and Czerka Corporation thanks you. But as I said earlier, cleaning costs will come out of your reward."

I smirked darkly, "But you're still going to pay me through the nose, aren't you?" I asked brightly. No Force in my words, I simply knew it was fact.

"Well... yes." the Czerka rep mumbled. Reluctantly, she made her way over to the Czerka Corporation cash register, and took out a substantial handful of credit chips, which she then gave to me, albeit incredibly grudgingly.

I counted the money. Five hundred credits, for all the gaffi sticks I had acquired. "This will do." I said flatly.

"I'm sure. Czerka Corporation thanks you again." the woman said coldly, before turning back to her desk, and typing some command or other into a communication console.

We were effectively dismissed.

The nauseous looking blue Twi'lek man in the corner was a victim I couldn't resist tormenting, however. "Griff." I said coldly, not that I needed to draw any more attention to myself, after the stunt I had just pulled with the Czerka rep.

"Ah, just the person I was hoping to see!" Griff said nervously.

"Hmph! Save it Griff - I'm still not talking to you! I want no part of whatever you're involved in!" Mission snapped.

"Okay, sis - I see you're still mad. Fair enough." Griff said, "I don't think you could help me with this anyway. It's uh... more of a job for your friend here."

I raised an eyebrow at that, "It better be good." I said coldly, "Cause if you're trying to con me, you've got another thing coming."

Griff gulped nervously, clearly remembering that I carry through on my threats, "As you may know, tach glands can be refined into a very potent powder. It's the primary ingredient in Tarisian ale - that's what makes it so strong. Of course, now that Taris is pretty much wiped from the face of the map Tarisian ale has become somewhat scarce - and uh... very, very valuable. Luckily, I know the secret recipe!"

"So what?" I asked acidly.

"I know this guy... he's with the Exchange. Now, if I give him a small sample of Tarisian ale he says he can synthesize it and reproduce it in mass quantities." Griff said, "Problem is, I need one of those tach glands to make the first batch. And now that Taris is a smoking ruin, the only place to find tach is on Kashyyyk. If you can get your hands on one of those tach glands I'll make it worth your while."

"Exactly how worth my while?" I asked warily, "I could get a few hundred credits per gland on the spice markets."

"How would you know that?" Onasi asked me.

"I know a lot of things." I muttered in response.

Griff cringed slightly, "Sorry, like I said before I don't have any credits on me. And Greeta won't lend me any credits. I mean, it's like he doesn't trust me to pay him back or something."

"Wonder why that is." I muttered sarcastically.

"But you come through on this and I promise you'll get a huge payday down the road." Griff said desperately, "Two... no! Three thousand credits! How's that sound?"

"Griff, are you blind?" Mission snapped, "Can't you see you're talking to a... a Force-using person." she winced when she saw my glare - I knew damned well she had almost called me a Jedi. "We're out here trying to save the galaxy! We can't waste time on this!"

"Please, you have to help me!" Griff begged, "I... I promised this guy from the Exchange a sample of Tarisian ale! If I don't come through for him he's going to break my legs... or worse!"

"I might enjoy watching him do that." I said brightly.

Griff stared at me like a Gizka in headlights, "But..."

"If you can give me decent money for it, in advance, I might consider it." I said flatly.

"Me give you money? I don't have any!" Griff whined.

"We have tach glands on our ship." Onasi said, "I have no clue why you looted them, but it'd be cruel to let him suffer when we can help him."

"But that's the idea!" I snapped, "He's a low-life petty thief, who ditched his own sister on a doomed world, for his own monetary gain. Not that he got anything out of it. He's lucky his sister's alive."

Onasi glared at me, "Luckier than I am." he growled.

I winced as I realised what I'd said, but I recovered quickly, "And he's ungrateful for it." I said coldly.

"You still shouldn't be so cruel to him." Onasi said, "He must have been worried sick when he heard about Taris, even if he did leave the planet for personal gain."

"That's right!" Griff said quickly. It sounded sincere, but with that core-slime it was difficult to tell. He didn't have much sincerity to show.

"And he had no idea Taris was going to be destroyed, when he left." Onasi persisted.

"That's right!" Griff repeated, "If I'd known, I'd have taken Mission with me!" again, I couldn't tell if he was being sincere or not. He was so naturally dishonest that honesty felt and sounded like a lie from him. I wanted to believe he was telling the truth, though.

"Yet the first thing he does when he finds his sister is ask her friends for money." I growled, "Really nice. 'Oh, I'm glad you're alive, can you give me some money, now?' Absolutely delightful. Money's all the creep cares about."

Onasi frowned, but backed down from the argument. It was then that we noticed Mission had vanished. "Where'd Mission go?" Griff asked.

I looked around, but had no idea. I sensed out with the Force, and felt her aura running towards us, outside the building, with a sense of purpose. She appeared in the doorway, clutching the jar of tach glands to her chest.

"Hey, there you are, sis!" Griff cheered.

She stepped forward nervously, "Griff. If I give you what you're asking for, you have to swear this is your last crazy scheme."

I shot the Twi'lek girl a glare, "Those things cost a couple of hundred credits each. You're not just going to give him that jar, are you?"

Mission winced, "Please, Kira?" she asked hopefully, "How about I just give him one? You didn't exactly buy these, anyway."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine. One. I expect a lot of money for this." I growled.

Mission opened the jar, and held it out to Griff, "You heard her, Griff. Take one."

"Come to papa you sweet simian organ!" Griff said, almost too enthusiastically, as he took one of the tach glands from the jar, "It may not look like much, but once I turn this into a bottle of Tarisian ale it'll end up being worth a fortune!" he paused for a second, "You know, once we synthesize this and start brewing Tarisian ale in mass quantities we're going to be looking for some investors. You give me a couple hundred credits and I can get you in on the ground floor. You'll get a return of... oh, at least twenty times your investment!"

I glared at the Twi'lek man, "Ask me for money again and that tach gland won't be the only freshly harvested organ around here!" I snarled.

"Whoa - no need to get violent. I can take the hint." Griff said, edging away from me a little, "I was just trying to do you a favour, but I see you're not interested. It's your loss. I better get started brewing that ale. Meet me back here later and I'll give you a down-payment on what I owe you."

I frowned, as he left the room. "You owe me two hundred credits, if he doesn't keep his end of the bargain, kid." I muttered, "Since it was you who decided to give him that tach gland.

"All right, all right. Sheesh, you're almost as selfish as Griff." Mission grumbled.

"Almost." I said pointedly, "At least I care about those close to me." I smirked, "I may hold you to a few credits, kid, but I'd still watch your back if you needed me."

She smiled at that, but Onasi had to be obnoxious, "You'd only watch someone's back to see when the best time was to stab it."

"Oh, you are delightful, Onasi." I said sarcastically, "It's no wonder I feel compelled to preserve your life, you have such a charming personality."

He frowned at me, "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

I smirked, "Can't you tell, Carth?" I asked innocently.

He blinked - that was the first time I had ever called him by his first name. I had used his full name in the past, but that was the first time I had ever simply called him Carth. "No. Enlighten me."

I continued to smirk, "I find you attractive." I said - I stated it as a fact, not putting any emotion into the words, "Both your body and your aura. And especially that sense of humour - it's as vicious as my own."

That left him speechless. I smirked, and sauntered off towards the docking bay, with HK-47 in tow.

Mission hung back with Carth.

As we approached the ship, an Ithorian stopped us, [Hello there, madam. Let's see... ah, yes. Here it is. It looks like the shipment has been delivered to your ship, as requested.]

"What shipment?" I asked, in my best dangerous tone, "I never requested any shipment."

[It says right here on the manifest that you ordered a crate of gizka. To be delivered to docking bay 32... that's right here.] the Ithorian explained.

I glared, "I ordered no such thing. Nor would anyone on that ship. Now you remove that crate before I remove your misshapen head from your body!"

[If you want the cargo removed, you'll have to fill out another requisition. I have one right... wait. I thought I had one. Oh, well.] he shrugged, [At any rate, the gizka are yours. One of the loaders said the crate split open once he put it in your hold... some of the critters might have gotten lose. That happens, I'm afraid. We don't accept liability... and we certainly couldn't take the cargo back. Enjoy.] he turned and left.

I stared after the Ithorian, dumbstruck, "Stupid bloody bureaucrats." I growled, before storming onto the ship, only to trip over a Gizka. I kicked the hapless creature down the loading ramp and off the ship.

"Query: Would you like me to eliminate these miniature meatbags, master?"

"Yes." I said flatly, "But please don't get blood on my nice clean floors."

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