Well, I heard somebody wanted to read this, so here it is. Please note, it is not edited, features many grammar mistakes and has a strange plot. I have neither the time, patience or energy to fix this as I am writing other things. Still, leave a review if you like it, or even if you don't, tell me what is done wrong. We learn from our mistakes, that is what makes us human.
You may notice some of the characters have the same name as my other KOTOR story, ignore it. They are different there.
Oh, the conversations are very formal. Read 'False Dawn', that is the better story of mine.
Chapter 2
Bastila entered her apartment and almost walked into the wall that was Canderous who chuckled as she stepped back in surprise.
"Princess, I wondered if you were going to come and say goodbye to me." He said sardonically and she sighed.
"Indeed I did want to say farewell. And to say thankyou for all the help you have given us." She said sincerely and the Mandalorian looked surprised at the sincerity of the words.
"Glad you think so." He grunted in reply. "All my kit is packed and I am leaving in an hour." He said and Bastila nodded.
"I wish you luck Mandalorian." She said and he chuckled.
"I'm sure you do princess."
"Be gone from here Mandalorian." She muttered and he nodded, turning to leave. He was wearing his regular light armour covered by a light cloak and with his sword at his side. The big man slung a pack over his shoulder and stepped into the waiting elevator. Bastila watched him go and then nodded slowly, walking into the apartment.
Mission looked up from the recliner for a moment before returning her gaze to whatever entertainment show she was watching.
"Run into Cantankerous?" she asked, using her name for the Mandalorian mercenary.
"I talked with Canderous yes." Bastila said primly and the Twi'lek shrugged as though she did not want an argument and ignored Bastila until she was out of the door.
Carth was staring moodily out of the window, not seeing anything before him. The young Jedi moved forward to talk but felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to see the old Jedi, Jolee smiling at her slightly.
"He has been like that since he got back. Best to let him be."
"I just have to ask him one thing." Bastila insisted and walked over towards where the soldier was frozen like a statue. She laid a hand on his arm and the head snapped around to look at her. His eyes were strangely emotionless.
"Carth, in the hurry to leave, I never got the place my mother was at from Doctor Elba. Did you manage to get them?"
Carth blinked a few times and the nodded as though trying to remember something obscure from long ago.
"Yes." He finally decided. "I put the coordinates on my map on the table." He said and Bastila walked over and saw the location. She nodded and looked back to see the commander still staring blankly at where she had been standing. It was as though he was asleep with his eyes open.
"Is he going to be alright?" Bastila asked Jolee who had come in to watch the scene.
"I cannot say with certainty. As I said before, he will either become a better person or will be broken by the experience. Do not ask me which."
"So when are you leaving Jolee?" She asked and the old Jedi snorted.
"Eager to be rid of me are you?" He asked but cut in before the younger Jedi could answer him. "Can't you youngsters take a joke?" he asked and then smiled at her.
"As I said, I am leaving with Mission and Zaalbar. Take a ship from somewhere on the way and go back to my wanderings."
"I suppose I cannot persuade you to rejoin the order." The old man chuckled at that.
"I suppose you can't my dear. I made up my mind and have not and will not change it. If I had wanted to, I would have rejoined years ago. No, the Jedi are not for me and I do not have long left to live so I may as well do something useful with myself." He said and Bastila nodded.
"I will be sorry to lose you." She said feelingly and the old man nodded.
"Thanks for the sentiment." He said and strode away. Bastila looked at Juhani who was poking at the inside of her weapon. Bastila joined her by the workbench.
"Are you all right Juhani?" She asked, unconsciously sounding like Revan used to when she had talked with the young Cathar.
The Jedi did not look up from where she was aimlessly poking the inside of her weapon. "I am fine Bastila." She said unconvincingly.
"Are you sure that-" Bastila began but Juhani cut in.
"I said I am fine Bastila." She replied with a slight hiss.
Bastila sighed and turned away sadly. "I was only asking." She said bleakly and walked away.
Juhani stared down at her weapon and then slammed her fist onto the metal bench.
The next morning, Bastila woke early and walked out onto a small balcony overlooking the endless cityscape. She felt the presence behind her before it announced herself.
"Bastila, may we talk?" Juhani said and stepped out to stand beside her.
"Of course Juhani." She replied but knew the reason for this early morning visit.
"I would like to apologise to you for my actions of the last night. I let my frustration and anger show."
"About what Juhani?" Bastila asked, at once both surprised and unsurprised.
"I was thinking about Revan as you might guess. It was with her help that I escaped from slavery and with her she made me redeem myself. With her gone I still blame myself for letting her die alone. If only I had helped her." The alien Jedi trailed off sadly and Bastila laid a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"I know how you feel, I do indeed. I was saved because of her as well and I think that without her this war may have been lost."
Juhani nodded absently. "I am rejoining the Jedi but I do not know why, what do I hope to achieve?" She asked and Bastila frowned.
"You do not wish to stay with us any further?" She asked and Juhani shrugged.
"I do not know, I just do not know. There is only one thing I really want and that is make sure that no more people are sold as slaves like I was. I do not suppose there is much hope of that.
"It is a worthy cause and I do not know why the Jedi Council will not help you."
"But if I pursue this cause my emotions will control me, make me take the wrong decisions."
"But with us you have less chance of falling prey to such dangers than if you were alone." Bastila said and the other Jedi nodded slowly.
"You are right. I want action now but I am not ready, much as I do not wish to say it."
"You have had some bad experiences Juhani, with time and patience you can do what you wish and so much more. Patience now may help you and others in the future." She replied passionately and the Cathar nodded.
"My heart tells me to charge in but my mind tells me that impatience leads to disaster. I will take your advice Bastila."
"The Jedi may be slow but they do get things done. The darkside offers a quick solution but in the end it offers only more problems." She said piously and Juhani nodded.
"But how do you do it Bastila? You seem so calm even after you fell to the darkness and I still cannot get over my one experience." She said a little more emotionally than she would have perhaps liked.
"Do not think that it does not affect me Juhani. The key is to make sure that you only show calm or else someone might take advantage of it. It will take a long time and in truth, I do not think I will be the same person again but that is not a bad thing. I now know better what I must do to avoid the darkness." Bastila said and Juhani nodded.
"Perhaps I have always had trouble concealing my emotions. Thank you Bastila, it is good to know that others can resist. I will try not to fall again."
"We are here if you need us Juhani." The Jedi said and the Cathar nodded. "Do you wish to come with me today? I am visiting my mother as it were and I thought you might want something to do today."
"I would be happy to come if you do not mind." She said but any reply the alien could make was interrupted by a commotion from inside the apartment. Thinking that it was another usual day in the lives of the Ebon Hawk's crew, Bastila stepped inside to confront whatever trouble may be occurring. What she saw inside however was even more unusual than normal.
Carth was smiling and greeting the members of his crew like he had no cares in the world. The other crew was also staring in shock as the commander looked more happy than he had since his last meeting with Revan.
"Bastila, a good morning to you." He said happily and the younger women frowned.
"Are you feeling well Carth?" She asked and the soldier nodded.
"In the circumstances, the best that is possible. I received a message from my son." He said there were murmurs as the crew finally understood his good humour.
"That is good indeed Carth. What did he say?" Bastila probed and the soldier smiled.
"He said he wants to meet with me. I told him that I had to be staying here and he agreed to come and, talk." He said the last word hesitantly. Then he brightened up. "I said I will meet him at the star port on the same day as I meet with the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
"You have to take the good with the bad." Mission put in and Carth nodded.
"Well I feel better because of this. So Bastila, I suppose you are going to find your mother." He said and the Jedi nodded.
"Did you wish to come commander?" She asked calmly and he nodded.
"Yes, if you come with me to meet my son." He replied and Bastila nodded.
"It shall be done."
"Good. I am going to talk to HK and see what he can do." Carth said.
"You mean besides killing people." Mission put in and Zaalbar growled his agreement.
"Comment; I am quite capable of other functions meatbag." The droid appeared from the shadows. It was quite unnerving that it could suddenly emerge from the shadows like that.
"Calm down you homicidal bucket of bolts." Mission replied and the droid could be heard chuckling.
"Comment; The blue creature gives us credit master. May I practice my skills on her?" It pleaded but it did not seem particularly threatening. Mission glared at Carth anyway.
"Can't you keep that maniac under control?" She said and the soldier shrugged.
"HK, remember our little talk? No threatening, killing, maiming or destroying of my friends without my permission. Now, go into standby mode." He said and the droid bowed slightly.
"Supplication; Yes master, I will wait for your orders." It said and Carth realised that his words had a double meaning. He opened his mouth but the fire in the robot's eyes was already dead.
"Damn that droid is annoying." He muttered.
"Frightening too." Juhani said and looked at the amused glances. "You all feel that way, I am just saying it."
"Alright Bastila, let's leave Captain Kill." Mission said and Bastila frowned.
"You want to come with me?" She asked as though she found it difficult to believe.
"No, not really. Me and Zaalbar are going to have a look around the place."
"Zaalbar and I." Bastila automatically corrected and the Twi'lek sighed.
"What ever, you my teacher now?" She asked and the Jedi bristled.
"I cannot say I approve of your troublemaking either." She said briskly and the blue alien rolled her eyes.
"Put it this way, we are going with or without your permission." She said and Zaalbar growled slightly.
"Let them go Bastila." Carth said. "Just don't get into trouble or make me send HK after you." He said but before she could retort, Jolee stepped in helpfully.
"Just you kids be back by bedtime." He said and Mission snorted.
"Real funny old man." She said and dragged Zaalbar with her out of the room.
"We had best get going, it is mid morning already." Juhani said and headed for the door.
The hospital; the South Central Medical Facility, called the SCM was the largest on Coruscant. Like so much of the larger Republic worlds, the amount of care received was tempered by the amount of money the patient possessed. Those with nothing were simply left to die if they could not afford the fees. By contrast, those on the upper levels were much better treated. Carth had found out that Bastila's mother Helena was in the upper third of the building. She had not had the money but Doctor Elba had put in a word with the head of that area, who was a close friend. Therefore she had been given better treatment than she would have received otherwise. The building was a large white collection of pointed cylindrical buildings with a mass of enclosed corridors and passageways running between them. The tops of the buildings even had their own landing pads and traffic control centres. Carth expertly guided their speeder into one of the enclosed bays and jumped out.
The three friends walked out into the high wind of the building's pinnacle and headed to the elevator in the centre of the rooftop. Standing guard was a droid which acknowledged them as they came close.
"Halt, state your name and business." It grated in a mechanical voice.
"Commander Carth Onasi to see Doctor Erich Von Rohe. Docking permit thirty three eighteen." He stated calmly and the droid whirred and clicked.
"Understood, request granted, please proceed to room sixty eight fourteen." It said and Carth strode imperiously past it and into the elevator.
It took only a small amount of time to find the right room, room four on the six hundred and eighty first floor. This floor was about three quarters of the way to the top and the room was evidently the doctor's office. Walking into the wide circular room with rooms branching off at the eight points of the compass, they discovered room four and knocked. A voice called them to enter and the three walked into the room to be faced by a very tall thin man with steel grey hair and sharp eyes. He looked up from his desk and stood.
"Ah, you would be the friend of Doctor Elba yes?" He asked with a curious accent.
"Doctor Von Rohe?" Bastila asked and he nodded.
"Doctor Erich Von Rohe, formally surgeon general of Taris before it was destroyed. I was at a meeting on a nearby world. I had not been popular with the Sith there as you can imagine and I left before they could find a reason to arrest me. I hear you were all on Taris." He said and Carth nodded.
"We escaped the blockade." He said.
Von Rohe considered. "It is a pity that more did not live yes?" He asked and then focused again.
"Anyway, you will want to know about your mother. Come with me." He said and gestured them to go out the door. "She is in the best care I could give her, she had money but not enough to warrant much. However, since she was sent here by Doctor Elba and is a relation to a Jedi, I was ready to stomach the cost. I have a high regard for your order and have done since I was a mere apprentice in the last Sith War." He said as he lead them to the elevator and waited as it came. Bastila stepped forward.
"Doctor Von Rohe, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. We will of course reimburse you for your trouble." She said but the man shook his head.
"You will not pay me a damn thing." He said. "There is another reason why I shouldered the cost. I always have maintained that the terminally ill should be looked after to help them go in some comfort at least." He said.
The air around him was suddenly silent and chilly. Bastila swallowed.
"So there is no hope?" She asked haltingly and the doctor looked at her and shook his head.
"I am afraid not Ms Shan. Tyrix Cancer is very rare and thankfully not easily contracted. However, it is invariably fatal, many times the patient asks to be given peace before they lose all sense of themself." He said and Bastila closed her eyes and sighed, trying to contain herself.
"How far advanced is it?" She asked and the doctor frowned.
"She may last a week before she starts to feel the worst effects."
"Doctor Elba said that there were preventions that could be used." Carth put in.
"Unfortunately commander, they are not cures, only extensions of life. And eventually they become resistant, as has happened here. She has been treated as such for many years and the effects are shorter and shorter lived. Eventually they will not work at all and I can only last for so long."
"I see." Bastila said quietly as the elevator stopped several levels below and she followed the doctor out.
"Bastila, we will wait outside." Juhani said and her friend nodded absently and walked in. Von Rohe waited with them outside. Carth looked at the man.
"Thank you for all you have done doctor. And thank you for being honest." He said and the man nodded.
"It feels so bad not being able to help but it is my duty to be truthful."
"Like being a soldier." Carth said and the man chuckled.
"There is a difference commander. You win the great victories of the Republic and I patch up those who are left. I for one hope for no more great victories of the Republic if they are bought with such loss."
"They are better than defeat though."
"I suppose so commander, I suppose so." He said and sat back.
Bastila heard nothing of this conversation as she entered the room which was a small and unadorned and held a single bed and a window. On the bed was a women who looked terribly old. Bastila could not believe that her mother had aged so much in just the two months since they had met. Her mother looked much older and fragile than before, the constant beep of machines reminded the Jedi that it would not be long before her mother was gone. Helena looked up and smiled slightly.
"Bastila, my daughter. I knew you would come in the end." She said. "Forgive me if I do not stand, I cannot seem to move that well." She said and sighed.
"Mother, you will be alright." Bastila said hopelessly and Helena smiled in reply.
"Never good at lying were you. I know what the doctor told you even if he has not said. I only wanted to see you again."
"You will be alright. We will find a way mother."
"No Bastila. I feel it in myself. It has got worse recently and now I do not believe I will live out this week." She said and feebly raised a hand to Bastila's objections. "I know young one. I know. All I have had is the holocron and the memory of you to live for. Now I have both." She said and Bastila sat beside her.
"I wish I could help you." She said sadly.
"You have helped me Bastila. You have made me a happier person despite this. It is good to meet you again, even now at the end."
"You can live on mother. I can pay for some more of the-" She began but Helena waved her words away.
"No, I only waited for you. It is too late for me. Remember me but do not feel bad for things past and present. Things turned out for the best my daughter."
"No mother, do not do this." Bastila pleaded but Helena lay back.
"I love you Bastila." She said and closed her eyes.
Almost immediately the machines beside her started to flash with light. Von Rohe ran in and saw what was happening. He moved towards a cabinet but Bastila gripped his arm tightly.
"Leave her, she wanted it this way." She said softly and Von Rohe looked at her in puzzlement.
"Let me go, we can still save her."
"Save what doctor. A life that is ended, some things end, you know this. It is the way she wanted it, to end on a more pleasant note than might have otherwise occurred."
The machines were slowly going dead and Von Rohe looked at the young Jedi and nodded.
"If that is what she wanted and you are sure. I hate to do it but perhaps you were right."
Bastila knew she was dead and she sighed like a general walking from the field of defeat. She walked out into the corridor where the two had long ago guessed what had happened.
"Bastila, do not let your emotions guide you, remember the code." Juhani put in and the other Jedi turned and slammed her fist into the wall, denting the plaster like substance.
"Damn the code and damn all the Jedi." She shouted and turned and stalked towards the elevator.
Juhani looked shocked at the anger and looked to Von Rohe who shrugged.
"You can guess what happened I think. She will get over it." He said and Carth shrugged.
"I am sure she will doctor. However, she is also a Jedi so we must stop her hurting herself or others."
"Well good luck commander. I hope never to meet you in my official capacity." He said feelingly and strode back inside the small room to write his report.
"And we had best get after her." Carth sighed and walked slowly towards the elevator.
Bastila was sitting on the thin strip of permacrete that formed the barrier with the endless drop. She sat with legs crossed and eyes closed, concentrating intently. She knew who was approaching before they spoke and she nodded slowly.
"It is alright Carth. I came here to make sure I did nothing else with my anger. It is anger at myself but it is passing. It was what she wanted and there was nothing I could do."
Carth said nothing and Bastila sighed.
"Would you have done anything else in the circumstances. If the Jedi want me to be an emotionless machine then they will be disappointed. I am myself and nobody will change that." She said firmly.
"I do not want to change you Bastila. I was just worried you might do something irrational."
"No Carth. You do not need to fear that, that is certain. I just needed to calm myself."
"Do you want to come down from there?" Carth asked, wincing as the closeness of the Jedi to a drop that did not do the word 'deep' justice.
Bastila nodded and jumped back down the eight feet to the ground where Carth was standing.
"Thank you Carth." She said feelingly and he shrugged.
"I did nothing but come and make sure you were alright."
"Then thank you for your concern. Let us return home, I will meditate on this and other matters tonight." She said and slowly walked back to their speeder. Carth began to see in the younger Jedi that she had changed since they had first met. Her arrogant and pompous self had slowly been pulled away from her to leave her a better person. Although she appeared more vulnerable, in many ways her spirit was stronger than before. Carth had himself wondered what she would have done had this incident occurred just five months before, after the escape from Taris. Another thing the soldier came to realise is how protective of the Jedi he was. She was almost young enough to be his daughter and he found that, despite their verbal duelling, he felt responsible for her in a way he could not fathom.
He shrugged the thoughts away and walked to join his friends.
Fleet Command was based in two places on Coruscant; an orbital station and a massive building near to the Senate building and the Republic Monument of Heroes. This day, Commander Carth Onasi would be going to the building which was almost a miniature city of it's own. He had realised the night before that he did not possess an official dress uniform and had had to acquire one with great rapidity. Now he dressed in the dark blue and black uniform of a Republic Commander and set his peaked cap under his arm. He turned from the mirror to see several of his crew looking at him in amusement. Mission in particular was barely hiding her laughter.
"What is so amusing Ms Vao?" Carth said crisply, his military voice returning after years of disuse.
"Nothing commander." She replied mockingly. "Just, I have never seen you in uniform before." She said and he nodded.
"Well, I have been out of sight and mind of the navy for a half year. I suppose wearing a Republic officer's uniform would not have gone down well on some places we visited."
"This is a fact." Bastila said, emerging from her room.
"And you look the same as ever." Mission said and Bastila sighed.
"So it may appear to your eyes young one." She said and the Twi'lek glowered at the words.
"Come Bastila, do not irritate her." He said and the Jedi eventually looked away.
"We will be back before we go down to the dock." Bastila said and left the room.
When they were gone Zaalbar growled to Mission who laughed.
"I would not be surprised Big Z." She said and sat back to watch the entertainment machine.
The building which housed Fleet Command was virtually unique in that it was the only military building on the surface of Coruscant. The headquarters of the Republic military was set on a huge circular platform over twenty miles wide. This had to accommodate for the fact that the building itself was not only tall but wide in area as well. It was genuinely outfitted as a fortress and any visitor could hardly miss the importance of the endless ranks of heavy defence lasers and hanger bays that had enough fire to cripple an orbiting fleet. There were no speeders or other craft that were not military allowed inside the base because of the fears of sabotage. All vehicles were set down in a vast area before the gates. Furthermore, the whole platform was completely separate from the rest of the endless city. The only way across was to land in the designated places or be destroyed. Carth landed the ship on instructions from the command towers and walked briskly across the smooth metal platform. Bastila was slightly intrigued at the way his military authority retuned after so long.
The commander marched up to the doors and saluted the two sentries who nervously asked him his business.
"Commander Carth Onasi, to see the Joint Chiefs of Staff." He said firmly and the guard transmitted the intentions. After a few minutes he saluted again.
"Go right in sir. They are waiting for you in the upper command centre." He said and Carth raised his chin and stalked past the two soldiers into the main entrance room of the navy headquarters. Bastila got little time to look at the impressive marble room with the many corridors that led off in every direction. Carth seemed to know exactly where he was going as he walked along a passageway and into an elevator which he set without thought and stood back. After a few moments, the lift stopped and the commander strode out into an impressive hallway which lead to a wide circular anti-room and a set of great double doors.
Carth stopped as he saw the figure waiting for him. He frowned and then saluted.
"Captain Solon." He said and the man smiled.
"Good to see you in uniform Carth. At ease man, we are not before the staff at the moment." He said and Carth shook hands with his friend.
"What are you doing here Julius?" He asked and Solon winked.
"I am here in case I am needed. I will say no more for now, you will find out soon enough." He said meaningfully and the commander nodded.
"Then I will not ask. I know you met Padawan Bastila but now it is in slightly better circumstances." He said and Bastila bowed her head slightly.
"Charmed Ms Shan." He said and looked back to Carth. "You staying on?" He asked and Carth nodded slowly.
"Unless they have me doing patrol duty in the outer rim I will stay."
"Glad to hear that." Solon said and then turned as the door opened and a dignified lieutenant saluted.
"Commander Onasi sir, the council would like to talk with you. Captain Solon, Jedi Bastila, please to be remaining in this room." He said and Carth returned the salute and walked inside.
Inside the door was the second most important body of people in the Republic. Only the Supreme Chancellor's Council held more importance than the combined heads of the Republic military.
The room was large and high with a great window behind the seated leaders that shadowed them but made anyone before them perfectly visible. The room was perhaps twenty yards across with a rich and almost dark feel about the ornate columns and red velvet curtains that lined the room. Paintings on old fashioned canvas and displays of old uniforms and weapons made this undoubtedly a room with history. It was the men and women that sat before Carth that really gave this room importance.
Carth strode to the centre of the room and stood at attention before the assembled military commanders. There were seven altogether, three to left and right and the central chair which was almost like a throne for a king. Carth was awed by the power of the room, he had never met more than one of these people before and never in such a setting. He was also aware of the assault droids and automated gun turrets that never stopped targeting him.
Slowly, the man at the head of the chair stood. He looked the very image of a long serving professional soldier with his fierce blue eyes, his commanding posture and iron grey hair. He wore the uniform of a Republic Grand Admiral. There was only one man who had such an honour, indeed there was only one man in the last century to have that honour and now he stood like a colossus before him.
"Commander Onasi, I see that you are here as requested. I have heard a great deal of your many exploits and are impressed by them. However, let me introduce the others here." The man said and named each person.
Carth looked at the seven faces. To his front was Grand Admiral Philippe Daguerre, the most powerful military officer in the entire Republic. He was a man whose duty, dedication and skill had helped him rise from junior lieutenant in the war of Exar Kun to be head of the entire Republic military. His victories were too numerous to be listed and his defeats too few to damage him. He was a man of incredible willpower and inner strength. He was over seventy but Carth could not see anything weak in the man who was respected and admired throughout the Republic. To the left of the Grand Admiral was his second in command; the head of the Republic navy and a full admiral. His name was Admiral Millet Delzon and he was much in the same mould as his chief. Slightly younger but no less competent, he was clearly the man who would replace the Grand Admiral when he died. To his left was Admiral Forn Dodonna, the second in command of the navy and a good soldier although many doubted her skills as an administrator and her true ability as an overall commander. Next to her was a women that nobody wanted to be on the wrong side of. Captain Nedos Zelmya was head of Republic military intelligence, a job she prosecuted with great vigour and skill. She was tall and attractive but nobody was brave enough to try anything with her after the last time when the offending man had ended up with a very sharp knife just inches from his neck. She had a cutting voice and an intelligence that was famous wherever she went. She wore a uniform that was disturbingly similar to that of a Sith intelligence officer which was perhaps and indication of her views and techniques.
To the right of Daguerre was the head of the Republic army; General Heinrich Von Stratten. A full general was a rare thing but the general was certainly a rare man, a soldier known for his ruthless tactics and charismatic leadership he had made the Republic army into a worthy force in less than five years. Now, constant battles with the Sith had reduced its quality but the spirit and numbers of the army was undimmed. To his right was his second in command, General Andra Platov. A man not from the core words but from the distant world of Taskmet, he was darker in skin tone than the others but was every bit as imposing. A master of lightning attacks and solid defences, he was a worthy second in command for his chief. Last of all was a man who was rarely spoken of and then rarely with any love. Alban Sabastiani was both the surgeon general and the quartermaster general, two posts which did not receive the greatest respect. He was a thin man who had none of the charisma of the other six but had a cold and logical brain.
Daguerre nodded as the introductions were finished and he sat back and let the shadows mask his face.
"Good, now Commander Onasi. After your brief adventure and exile, it is good to see you in the uniform again."
"It is my pleasure sir." He said and Daguerre grunted.
"No doubt. Now commander, I understand that a lot has happened and that it is entirely your decision. Are you going to continue in the Republic's armed forces?" He asked directly.
"Sir, I have little left but my duty and honour. Both push me towards the fleet you might say. I shall accept if there is a posting for me." He said. Daguerre sat back and Delzon leaned forward.
"You leadership skills have improved and though you have had little active service for a half year and only scattered commands before that, your actions have shown you to be a man who is deserving of notice."
"Yes sir." Carth replied.
"Despite what you might think commander, the recent victory over the Sith has changed little in the general political situation." Daguerre said, leaning forward once more like a judge looking down on the accused. "Although your heroics at the battle were commendable, they were hardly controlled. We won that battle but we did it with help we cannot count on again. Namely, Malak was the enemy. In many ways, I relished him as the foe because he was predictable. His troops were fierce, their equipment good and their leaders adequate but predictable. And predictability is a terrible sin for a commander. So we waited for the opportunity to strike and did so. Personally I would not have minded if he survived because he did more damage to their cause then we could have. Now, the Sith will be weakened and not destroyed. They will have a new leader eventually and they may be better or worse. We can only wait and see in that regard."
"Sir, should we not push on now we have them on the run?" Carth asked and then cursed himself for giving advice to a Grand Admiral. His commander chose to humour him.
"The military situation has not changed commander. We defeated a fleet but it was a fleet we never counted on fighting in the first place. The Sith will rebuild their fleet and we can only wait for this. As for pursuit? Logical and correct perhaps but it has been denied us. The Supreme Chancellor has been forced to bow to pressure and stop us from launching a major counter strike. Our allies and worlds of the Republic are unwilling to commit troops into what they see as a blind thrust into enemy space. If I had my way commander, I would have led the first and second battlefleets to destroy the Sith."
Carth was surprised by the words. "Yes sir." He said automatically and Delzon nodded.
"All this means is that the war is just heating up. We need time to recoup losses from the war and so do they. There will be perhaps a time of peace but it will be a fool's peace."
"And in this war commander, leaders die. We shall need men to take their place." Daguerre said. "You are familiar with the Retribution?" He asked and Carth nodded.
"Captain Harper's ship sir." He said and Daguerre nodded.
"Not anymore commander. Harper was killed in the battle near the Star Forge and it needs a captain. You need a ship captain." He said the last word meaningfully and it took the solider a few seconds to realise the implications of the words.
"Captain sir?" He asked and Delzon nodded.
"The Retribution is a good ship Captain Onasi. A Severance Class light cruiser with prototype engines designed by our allies. They could use a good man in charge."
"I am honoured sir. But I have little experience with such a command." He protested.
"You will pick it up quickly but you are right. Therefore, you should be grouped with an experienced man who knows all the tricks. Lieutenant, send in Captain Solon." Delzon ordered and the door opened and an almost serious Julius Solon entered the room.
"Captain Solon." Daguerre said as the captain saluted. "Are you willing to be brigaded with Captain Onasi as he learns the trade of being a post captain?" He asked and Solon nodded.
"I am sir, as I found it to be of great use when I was first raised to this rank" He replied.
"Then it is so established. Captain Onasi, you will rendezvous with your ship in six days time. You will receive your orders then. Captain Solon is in charge of the subgroup which includes the heavy cruiser Vengeance, your ship commander and two destroyers with fighter support. "
Carth saluted so hard that the floor creaked. "Understood sir. Thank you." He said and waited to be dismissed.
"Before you go captain, Admiral Delzon wishes to talk with you and Jedi Bastila." Daguerre intoned and Carth nodded. "Then the council will reconvene in a half hour to discuss the matter of the Palador Sector." Daguerre said as the two captains followed Admiral Delzon outside of the chambers.
Bastila rose from her meditation crouch as the two men exited with a full admiral. She bowed slightly and the admiral smiled.
"Jedi Bastila, I am Admiral Delzon and I see you have met Captains Onasi and Solon." He said and she smiled at Carth.
"Congratulations captain." She said feelingly and the newly promoted officer smiled.
"I am pleased as well. I have my own ship, the Retribution." He said and Delzon smiled.
"Indeed captain. Jedi Bastila, I have talked with Master Aetius at the temple and he has agreed that you are to be attached to the command group of these two captains." He said and the Jedi frowned.
"Admiral, I am not even a Jedi Knight." She protested.
"But you will not be alone. An old friend of these two captains will be coming with you to help you if you should require it."
"We are to be independent sir?" Solon asked surprised.
"Although the full details of your missions are not finalised, your command, captain will be of considerable use in various tasks."
"Understood sir. Is Jedi Bastila to accompany us when we depart?" Carth asked.
"No, not at this moment. Your first few weeks will be learning captain. When you return you will pick up the Jedi and begin. We are sending similar groups to many places across the galaxy to probe the Sith defences. You group will be strong enough to fight off anything but a whole battlefleet until you can escape."
"Admiral, we have some friends that I promised to drop off on Kashyyyk." Carth said and Delzon nodded.
"So I heard. It will be your first test. A neutral area with the temptation of those close to you near. It will be a bloodless test. We do not object, take your ships into orbit or land as you wish."
"Thank you sir."
"Who is this Jedi who we both know?" Solon asked.
"A person that Captain Onasi met in the temple just four days ago. I believe you knew him captain from the Mandalorian War's beginning." He said and Carth nodded.
"Nantaris. Valiens Nantaris. That sounds like him. Volunteered did he sir?" He asked and Delzon nodded with a brief smile.
"It is him. He was quite insistent and he has agreed to help Jedi Bastila should she need his help. "
Bastila nodded. "I am pleased for that." She said.
He may be light hearted sometimes but inside he is a great man." Carth opined.
"His outward appearances is his greatest weapon." Solon said.
"I wish you luck captains, Jedi." Delzon said and retreated back into his room.
Solon smiled when the door shut and clapped his new subordinate on the shoulder. "Together again hotshot. The enemies of the Republic will flee from us." He said grandly as he led his friend towards the elevator.
"Did you know?" Carth asked and Solon shrugged.
"I could guess. Why else would you be called here with me in attendance?"
"I need to get some captain's bars." Carth said and Solon smiled.
"I think it is already accounted for. Look in your rooms for it. If not, ill go and hang the slacker in charge of the commissariat." He said happily.
"When do we leave?" Carth asked and Julius shrugged.
"I'll meet you at dawn on the military dock. Bay fourteen five days from now. I have a shuttle to take us to orbit and then we take a transport to our battle group's mooring at Kuat."
"Are we still going to pick up your son?" Bastila said and Carth nodded.
"I was just going to say. Solon, my son is coming to meet me, you want to come with us?" He asked and Solon considered.
"I would be happy to." He said after a moment.
"I think we will only just get there in time." Carth said and took his sword and pistol from the valet and strapped it about his waist.
The transport slowly settled down into the dock. Almost immediately, the gangplanks were extended and the swarm of people on board poured down the ramps. Carth's speeder arrived just in time and the captains and the Jedi moved through the crowds until they reached the gangway. Carth was understandably nervous as he waited. He looked around as the last people were exiting the ship, wondering if he had mistaken the number of the ship when he saw himself. Or rather, he saw a much younger version of himself walking down the ramp, almost the last one on board. He looked a great deal like his father but Dustil Onasi also had traits that had to come from his now dead mother. He smiled slightly and slung his bag over his shoulder as his father came forward to meet him.
"Dustil. So good to see you again." Carth said genuinely and embraced his son who smiled in an embarrassed way and awkwardly returned it.
"Father, I thought you might not be here." He said and Carth nodded.
"I know I have let you down before son and I know am going to again but I wanted to help you in anyway I can."
"You joining the fleet again?" His son asked and Carth nodded.
"I have been made captain. I have my own ship and will be meeting with in five days time."
"I see." Dustil said and Carth nodded.
"I know son, it is not what you wanted to hear but that is the way of it. I still have a duty to the Republic and to my friends.
"And your son?" Dustil asked sharply.
"Yes. You are a grown man now my son. You do not need me anymore. You and I may not see eye to eye and that is not going to change whatever happens. I do care about you Dustil and I will help you with what you wish but I have my path set. You are still free to choose yours."
"So you would just discard me. I came all this way to see you and now you tell me that you would leave me behind?" He asked and Carth sighed.
"What would you have me do son? Drop everything for you? You are nineteen now, you can do whatever you want and you do not have me in your way. I will give you whatever you need to make a new start and will meet with you whenever I get the chance but I am not giving up what I do. Not for you and not for anyone." Carth said stubbornly.
Solon glanced at Bastila from their spot ten foot away. "That is the Carth Onasi I remember."
"He has always been stubborn captain. As long as I knew him." Bastila murmured.
Dustil's face went red and then he sighed and nodded. "I suppose you are right father. I suppose I let you down."
"No son, you were tricked into what you did. The Sith doubtless knew that I was your father and were training you to be used against me. I could never fire on you or any ship you commanded. If we met in battle, it would be a disaster." Carth said quietly and his son nodded.
"She seemed so sincere." Dustil said and Carth nodded seriously.
"She was an agent and she played you like she doubtless played others. However, I guess she was starting to see you as a person rather than a bargaining tool so they killed her."
"I regret many things father."
"But you cannot undo them. All you can do is start again."
"I suppose you are right father. I was just so angry after Telos. I blamed everyone but I blamed you most of all."
Carth laid a hand on his shoulder. "We all get angry. I chased Saul for years but when I was finally rid of him, I felt no better. Anger will not bring them back, only make the spiral of violence continue."
"I see that now. I see that I achieved nothing but making me hate you. Can you forgive me?" He asked and Carth nodded.
"I can my son. I forgive you if you can put up with me." He said and Dustil nodded.
"You have your career before you and I have my life before me. I think that I should try to do my duty, to show my devotion, to use the skills of the Sith against them."
"What would you do?" Carth asked.
"Stay with you and then go and see if they want me in intelligence."
"I know some people there. I can get you an interview at least." He said and Dustil nodded.
"I would like that. Can I stay with you until you leave?" He asked and Carth nodded.
"Of course you can my boy. I would like that." The captain said and turned with his son to his two friends.
"Dustil, I do not believe you have met either of my two friends. Captain Julius Solon, my new commander and Jedi Bastila Shan." He said and Dustil nodded in affirmation.
"I remember you captain, we were introduced at my father's graduation from the academy."
"I remember now. You look more like your father than I could guess." Solon commented and the son nodded.
"Bastila, can you get the speeder warmed up?" Solon asked as an aside and Bastila nodded slowly. She had no real desire to do this but it was not worth complaining.
The Jedi walked across the now mostly empty platform. There was only a single man who stood watching the four intently. He was hooded and cloaked so his face was hidden but his gaze was obviously hostile. Bastila walked ahead of her friends towards where an array of vehicles were parked. One speeder however was not parked with the others but was left carelessly in the middle of the platform. Its grey colour and battered appearance had made it an object to be overlooked as now the four ignored it. Bastila walked with the errant device to her left towards their own machine. The cloaked man was directly to her front and right and now he called out in a sibilant voice.
"Ms Bastila Shan?" His voice carried to the other three who looked up.
"Yes, what do you want?"" She asked and the man chuckled.
"Simply to say goodbye, traitor." He said and suddenly everything seemed in move at once.
"Bastila, get down!" Carth yelled but it was too late. The man flourished a white tube and then pressed it with a dramatic gesture. Perhaps it was her Jedi senses, her combat training, her instinct for danger or just luck that she jumped to the right as the speeder shattered into flames and metal shards.
Bastila caught a brief glimpse of the speeder detonating as she jumped desperately to the side, presenting a smaller target. She was lifted up and thrown to the side, she felt a massive blow on her arm and the smell of burnt cloth and then everything went black as she hit the platform. Carth threw himself down, dragging his son behind him as the fragments whirred over him. Solon was on his feet quickly and running over towards Bastila. Carth scrambled to his feet and running as well but Solon had seen the cloaked man running to another speeder nearby.
"Carth, look after her, he is mine." He said grimly and sprinted off.
"Julius wait!" Carth yelled but Dustil grabbed his arm.
"We have to look after her. Call for help." His son commanded and Carth pulled out his communicator.
While Carth was calling for assistance, Solon sprinted down the platform towards the man who had thrown off his long cloak to reveal himself being a tall black haired man with a black set of clothes. The man ran and jumped into his speeder and hurled it backwards. As he did so he pulled a pistol and fired a hail of shots towards the pursuing Solon. The captain threw himself into the cover of a boiler and returned fire but his enemy was already moving away. Solon leapt into the nearest machine and shot out the locking system. The vehicle locator was working and Solon reckoned that would do the trick for him. He threw the machine forward after the disappearing shape of the speeder; he pushed the machine to maximum speed as he swept through the nightmarish tangle of buildings and flying machines. The Republic captain could see he was getting no closer to the enemy despite his efforts and he cursed and called up his communicator.
"Coruscant security, this is Captain Julius Solon, suspect is in speeder and I am pursuing. Home in on my vehicle identity signal." He said and got a swift reply.
"Understood captain, good luck."
Julius could see the man in front of him trying to shake him but the Republic captain knew this part of the city better than any other and threw his machine into a stomach turning lurch through two buildings; ducking his head as the open topped machine lost its windscreen. Solon swept through with his pistol drawn into the wind and saw the suspect, much closer than before rocketing away. Solon charged forward and fired a shot at the enemy whose craft jerked in surprise as the occupant turned to see his pursuer. The bomber suddenly stopped his engines and through his machine aside as Solon; caught by surprise flew past. The enemy agent fired a half dozen shots in his machine as Solon rocketed past. Solon knew he had been fooled but he also knew his speeder was damaged and that the enemy pursuing could slam shots into him with no return fire. Solon therefore hit upon a desperate plan as a row of dark buildings passed to left and right; he suddenly cut his own engines but turned broadside to the approaching craft. The two opponents fired a hail of shot but it was Solon's weapon; prepared and steady, that did the more damage. The opponent's transport flamed from a series of holes in the front but it did not stop him closing in to ram the Republic soldier's machine. Solon holstered his weapon and then leapt from the side of his speeder as the enemy came on relentlessly. Solon's leg almost buckled as he hit the surface and he threw his body so he hit the other driver as he flew backward. The machines clashed and this and the surprise of the assassin caused the machine to go out of control and smash through the windows of the nearby apartment building. Solon's former speeder lost its gravity suppressor and plunged into the empty depths as the other speeder crashed.
Solon was lifted bodily by the force of the blow and crashed into a pile of boxes and crates as the abused machine slid to a halt. They were in a wide empty room which held only a few boxes and wooden crates. Solon staggered painfully to his feet and drew his pistol as his assailant pulled himself free and drew his own weapon. Solon focused his vision as the equally battered opponent kept his weapon on the Republic captain.
"Drop the gun." Solon said and the two began a slow circling game.
"No captain, you drop your gun." The other man said in a level tone.
"Why would I do that? I have a hundred men coming to back me up. They will be here soon." He said and the other man smiled unpleasantly.
"Not really a good reason captain. I'm a desperate man, I will shoot and you will not."
"Are you certain about that? You killed my friend." He said and the man chuckled.
"The traitor deserved death. Traitors to the Sith die to them. I would have preferred if I could have killed you all but I had to take what I could." The Sith assassin gestured with his gun. "So what now captain?" He asked with a hate filled mocking in his voice.
"Drop the gun and you may surrender."
"Surrender. Republic dog! You will never take me alive!" He declared and drew out a small silver ball and held it in his hand. "Not so certain now are you?" He asked and Solon frowned.
"Cobalt bomb. You explode that and we all die." Solon said and the assassin smiled broadly.
"That is the point captain. Drop the gun unless you wish a good number of innocents to die as well as yourself." He stated and Solon shrugged. "You will do it anyway. My security troops are coming."
"Perhaps you are right captain. I however value my own life so I am giving you a choice, get out of the way and let me go or you and everyone near me dies."
"I can't do that; you tried to kill me and my friends."
"She was the target and not you, I have no orders for you. Now move." He ordered and Solon nodded.
"Alright, since you give me no choice." He said and dropped his gun. "Now deactivate the bomb and get out." He said and the other man nodded.
"Good choice captain." He said and looked aside for a second to deactivate his weapon.
As he looked aside, Solon dropped to one knee, scooped up his gun and fired. The shot slammed into the Sith's right arm, the arm with the explosive and it flew aside as he cursed. The enemy pistol cracked three times but Solon had circled behind a pile of boxes and now attacked. The Sith; his right arm hanging useless nevertheless raised his weapon again. Solon knew he had no time so he threw his weapon at the man and launched himself forward; coming up at a roll. The Sith was staggered by the weapon's impact and his next two shots went wide. As he tried to re-aim, Solon attacked.
The captain; while not young was no slouch to the brutal nature of close quarter fighting. Furthermore his opponent would not release his pistol and with one arm broken and bleeding he was encumbered; he was not defenceless and cracked off a round as Solon struggled with him. The blast seared past Julius whose first blow hit the Sith in the stomach. The man countered with a vicious kick and then tried to pistol whip the naval officer who was forced back by the heavy blows; he did not stand still but hit the man in his broken arm. The Sith snarled and tried to use the pistol as an extension of his fist; Solon caught it and chopped his other hand harshly down behind the elbow of the enemy and slammed him into the nearby wall. The Sith dropped his gun and scrambled for his explosive, lying just out of reach. Solon countered by gently booting the device away and laying five heavy blows into the man. Solon wanted this man alive but his opponent broke free and staggered back and in a single movement ripped a tablet from his belt and bit into it.
"One day, Republic dog." He said and then choked and fell. Solon ran over but the man was unconscious already from the poison he had taken.
The security officers broke in and their leader ran over to Solon whilst the men looked around at the ruined room in amazement.
"Captain Solon?" He asked; uncertain whether the bloodied man in the torn uniform was the captain.
"Yes lieutenant. He bit into a poison capsule it seems. I almost had him. Be careful, there is a cobalt bomb in the corner." He warned and sat on the remains of a crate.
"Impressive work sir." The man said and Solon nodded.
"Not quite good enough though. I would have liked to know who sent him and why."
"The governor will be interested to hear your story." The man said and Solon shrugged.
"You know the details lieutenant. What about the others on the platform. Are they hurt?"
"The Jedi is alive but I did not get the state of her injuries. She is being taken back to the temple." He said and saluted.
"Fine. Now can I use your speeder? As you see, the two in the chase are not really much use anymore." He said with a faint smile and the lieutenant nodded.
"Of course sir, good luck." He said and Julius Solon walked from the scarred room, deep in thought.