Disclaimer: See first post.
Kaori slipped the restraint off as the red and white Tanger-class four- person military airspeeder slowed to a stop. She glanced to her right and got her first glimpse of the ship that would be her home for the next month or so. Close to 250 meters in length, the Endar Spire certainly was not the most awe-inspiring or most intimidating ship in the Republic fleet. In fact Kaori had seen more impressive ships during some scouting missions she had been on.
She smiled, remembering one such mission. She and her passengers were being harassed by a duo of pirate ships. The lead one, a mottled brown and white triangle shaped ship, had managed to disable the engines of Kaori's ship, the Jade Songbird, when a red and white cruiser winked into the fray. In a matter of moments the two pirate ships retreated to hyperspace and the cruiser had tractored the Songbird on board.
Kaori thanked the corporal that drove her to the landing platform, pushing the memories aside. She stepped out of the speeder, tipped her head to the private that handed her her black, durafabric bag, and then made her way to the lowered boarding ramp.
"Miss Vahan?" a boy-faced ensign asked as she boarded.
Kaori did not answer. Her gaze had been drawn to an auburn haired man in an orange jacket walking towards them from a room at the far end of the corridor. He was intently reading a sliver datapad and did not see the male blue Twi'lek back out of another, closer door. The Twi'lek looked to be apologizing urgently to someone still in the room and did not see the man. Kaori opened her mouth to warn both, but was too late. Both collided with a dull sounding thud and the datapad hit the deck with a loud, metallic clank.
Kaori watched as the Twi'lek sputtered, his lekku twitching franticly. The human man just waved a dismissing hand as he picked the datapad up. He continued on, once more reading the information.
"Who was that?" Kaori asked the ensign as the man turned a far corner.
"Commander Carth Onasi," the ensign replied.
Kaori inwardly grinned as she heard the hero worship in the ensign's slightly squeaky voice. "Does the commander know Twi'lekian Lekku?" she asked, chuckling as the blue Twi'lek hurried down the corridor away from them.
The ensign's brow furrowed, his dark eyebrows almost meeting in the middle of his forehead. "Not that I know of." He cocked his head to one side, a quizzical expression on his face. "Why?"
Kaori gestured after the Twi'lek who rounded a far corner. "He just pledged his firstborn to the commander if he wasn't thrown off the ship or out of the military. The commander's hand wave was an agreement according to Twi'lek custom. Bound by warrior code that Twi'lek will have to give the commander his firstborn."
The corners of the ensign's mouth twitched into a wicked grin. "I'd pay top credits to see Commander Onasi get out of that one." Kaori laughed. "If you will follow me," the ensign began as Kaori's laughter eased into giggles. "I will show you to your bunk."
Kaori nodded and followed the ensign down the corridor. Somewhere in the back of her mind she registered that it was in the direction the commander went.
"Because of the Jedi on board you'll have to bunk in one of the guy's barracks," the ensign continued, sounding apologetic as they passed the connecting corridor Commander Onasi had went down.
"Why?" Kaori asked, uncomfortable. She could handle herself fine, having grown up with three boys, but the idea of staying in a room with two or more men still unnerved her.
The ensign gave her an apologetic look. "The Jedi have taken all the available quarters and the ladies' barracks are all full," he explained. He held up his hands, palms up, in a show of helpless regret. "You'll have to bunk with me and Trask Ulgo."
Kaori nodded slowly, knowing that there was not much, if anything, she could do. The Jedi, as far as she knew, liked to separate themselves from the rest of the crew when on board. She knew that even if there were an unused bunk in a female Jedi's quarters it would not be offered to her.
"What is your name?" Kaori asked to change the topic and to get to know her bunkmate.
"Dilon Chaviv," he answered, smiling. "At your service, my lady," he added, grinning – a mischievous glint in his hazel eyes.
Kaori raised an eyebrow at his last line but just grinned. "And how long have you been in the military, good sir?" she asked side-stepping to the right of Dilon to get out of the way of a brown-haired, slim-waisted, female Jedi. A feeling of déjà vu washed over Kaori even as the Jedi shot the scout a half-shocked, half disapproving look before she schooled her features and continued on. Kaori shook her head, ignoring both the feeling and the look, and faced Dilon.
"– in my second year," he was saying. "I joined after the Sith razed my home town. They killed my father during that attack." The ensign's voice dropped to a growl as he continued. "Those animals will pay for what they've done."
Dilon fell silent and Kaori found herself sympathizing. Since Revan and Malak had declared war on the Republic, Kaori had met many who had lost at least one loved one, if not more. She could not imagine how someone could enjoy inflicting so much pain and suffering on others. She had always been someone who wanted to shield others from harm. She mentally chuckled. Her father had it right when he named her Kaori Vahan.
"We're here," Dilon said, coming to a stop in front of a door at the end of a short corridor.
Kaori snapped out of her thoughts and watched Dilon open the door. She stepped inside, glancing around. To her left was a single bunk sticking out perpendicular to the wall. Straight in front of her were two more bunks less than a meter apart. In the square of empty space between the single bunk on her left and the leftmost bunk across from her were two footlockers, both placed against the wall at a ninety degree angle from each other. To the right of the other bunk across from her was another footlocker.
To her right were three gray, hard-back, plasteel chairs surrounding a lighter gray plasteel table. Upon its surface rested a scattering of Pazaak cards.
"You play?" Dilon asked, drawing Kaori's gaze.
Kaori shook her head. "Never really was any good," she admitted.
"I'll teach you," Dilon offered, eagerly. "That is if you want me to," he added, quickly.
Kaori snickered. "Sure," she said smiling. "I'd be honored if you would teach me."
"It is I who would be honored," Dilon returned, grinning.
"Flatterer," Kaori teasingly accused.
"And proud of it," Dilon stated, chuckling. "Your bunk's the right one there and your footlocker is next to it," he added, gesturing to the right bunk across from them. "Stow your gear, and I'll show you around."
Kaori nodded and crossed the relatively small room. She knelt next to the footlocker, opened it, and placed her bag inside. She opened a side pocket and pulled out a thin golden band. Embedded at even intervals around outer circumference were small jade stones- so rich, so pretty. They sparkled in the light of the room, causing tiny greenish spears of light to dart around her. She closed the pocket, shut the footlocker, and slipped the ring on the last finger of her right hand. Looking up she noticed Dilon was staring at and she knew by the look on his face he wanted to ask about the ring.
"My father gave it to me," she said. "I forgot to put it on when I left because I was running late and then in the speeder ride over the bag was in the back."
"But why wear it on your right hand?" Dilon asked. "Won't it interfere with your shooting?"
"Do you fear an attack?" Kaori asked, staring intently at him.
"No," Dilon responded. "It's just that most wear rings on their left hand."
"I'm left-handed," Kaori explained. "I shoot with my left so I wear my ring on my right."
Dilon's mouth formed a small 'o' before relaxing into a mischievous grin. "I've heard left-handers are very creative," he said, tone not betraying the amusement Kaori saw in his eyes. "Is that true?"
Kaori had not expected that and it took her a moment to gather her thoughts. "I'm not sure," she finally said.
"Are you?" Dilon continued.
"Creative?" Kaori tugged on the lobe of her ear, a habit she had picked up as a child, thinking. "I suppose," she answered, slowly. "I like to tell stories and read them. I sing, a little."
"Oh really?" Dilon asked a note of challenge in his tone.
"Yes," Kaori answered.
"Are you hungry?" Dilon asked.
Kaori blinked at the switch in topics. And they say females change the subject without warning, she thought as she nodded.
"Alright," Dilon said. "First stop on 'Dilon's Full Ship Tour' will be the starboard mess hall."
Kaori chuckled as they left. Dilon slid closer to her left side to get out of the way of a soldier with close cropped, white hair. Dilon placed a steadying hand on Kaori's shoulder. Kaori nodded her thanks as she had almost lost her step when Dilon hit her. She slid away to the right a few centimeters when Dilon's hand slid lower down her back and almost wrapped around her waist.
"Sorry," Dilon muttered, lowering his arm to his side.
"It's okay," Kaori said softly. "I just like to get to know the guy better before I let him wrap an arm around my waist."
"Ah," Dilon said, beaming. "A purpose in my life." They rounded a curve and took the first right to get to the starboard side of the ship. "I'll just have to tell you all about me."
Kaori chuckled, as they passed through a door and into another corridor. To the left a corridor curved off to the north. In front there was a short distance to another wall. "We'll see, Ensign," she said, "we'll see."
"Please call me Dilon," Dilon requested as they passed a connecting corridor and entered another door. "Ensign makes me think one of my superiors wants me because of some prank they think I pulled." He grinned ruefully. "Not that they would be wrong."
Kaori snickered. "I could learn to like you, Dilon," she said.
"I certainly hope so," Dilon replied as they rounded a corner. He smiled as they neared the end of the corridor and he pressed the button to open the door. He stepped to the side and gestured for her to precede him.
"Such a gentleman," Kaori teased as she entered the room.
Dilon chuckled. "My mother would be pleased," he said, stepping in behind her.
Kaori smiled and glanced around, taking in everything. Four rows of twenty tables and chairs were housed in the relatively large room. A few soldiers, aids, and one civilian were scattered in the room. The soldiers sat at one far table and were laughing, no doubt telling exaggerated stories of their deeds in the military. The aids and the sole civilian were seated across the room from the soldiers, the aids towards the front of the room, the civilian in the far corner. The aids were in quiet discussion and the civilian was intently reading something on a datapad.
Dilon lead Kaori to the far wall where a table laden with various fruits, breads, and cheeses stood. Kaori picked up a slightly chilled, white, plasteel plate and placed some hwortha berries, muja, and honey-wafers on it. She looked up as Dilon, who had stepped into a small room to the left of table, returned with a glass of blue milk.
"How did you know I liked blue milk?" Kaori asked as she sat down at a table halfway between the food table and the door.
"I didn't," Dilon replied, sitting across from her and placing the glass next her plate. "This is the only thing the cook'd allow me to get. Said it was too early for ale."
Kaori snickered and reached for a honey-wafer when she realized something. "You're not eating?" she asked Dilon.
Dilon shook his head. "I've eaten."
Before Kaori could reply a deep male voice boomed form the doorway.
"Dilon!"
Kaori and her companion turned to find a burly man standing there. His shaggy, black hair stuck out in all directions and the piercing look in his brown eyes caused a chill to run down Kaori's spine. Kaori heard a low snarl from Dilon but before she could ask, Dilon spoke.
"Excuse me. Bantha brains over there thinks he should have first pick on the females." He stood and placed himself between Kaori and the man. "Nanuq," he said, evenly but Kaori heard the edge in his voice.
Nanuq must have heard it as well because his eyes narrowed. "Who's yer friend?" he sneered, giving Kaori a look that clearly and loudly announced his intentions.
Kaori felt her stomach roll in disgust.
"The scout hired for translating," Dilon replied. Kaori noticed the tension in his stance even though he held his hands at his side. She stood, though not sure what she could do if Nanuq decided to do anything. She had left her sword and blaster in her footlocker and she was not sure her meager skills in hand-to-hand combat would affect Nanuq in any way.
"Does she have a name?" Nanuq asked, stalking closer.
Kaori watched as Dilon's right hand clenched into a fist as he answered. "Kaori Vahan," he answered.
"Such a pretty name," Nanuq said, his tone giving his intended compliment a sickening feel, "for such a pretty woman." He faced Kaori as he slowed to a stop a few centimeters from them. A lewd grin spread across his features. "Sweetheart, why don't you come with a real man? I'll show you how to have a good time."
"If I had wanted that kind of a good time," Kaori replied an edge in her tone a half-deaf being could have heard, "I'd visited a pleasure house."
Nanuq's smarmy face hardened. "Why are you with this loser?" he demanded, gesturing at Dilon. "I'm ten times-"
"Worse than a dewback in heat?" Kaori asked, causing Dilon to snicker.
"You had better watch yourself missy," Nanuq snarled. "No girl tells me no."
"Somehow I think they do," Kaori retorted. "It just doesn't register in that berry-sized thing you call a brain."
Nanuq growled and took a menacing step towards her.
"Is there a problem here?" a deeper, more soothing male voice asked from right behind Nanuq.
The towering Nanuq spun, intent Kaori thought, on pulverizing the speaker. Kaori watched as his arm, poised to strike whoever was there, froze mid- swing.
"C-C-Commander Onasi," Nanuq stuttered, dropping his arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you, sir."
Carth just grunted and strode past Nanuq, effectively placing himself in a position to step between Nanuq and Kaori, should the situation call for him to do so.
Kaori was surprised to feel her breath catch in her throat. When she had seen the commander before she had be so intent on the Twi'lek that she had not really paid attention to the man. Seeing him now, dressed in black boots that shined, black trousers, and a deep emerald color dress shirt, Kaori had to admit he was handsome. She noticed the two tendrils of hair that stubbornly fell over his right eye and had an inexplicable urge to push them back into place.
"Is this man bothering you, Miss Vahan?" Carth asked her.
Kaori blinked and nodded, mutely – hoping he had not been aware of her staring. She noticed the slight crestfallen expression cross Dilon's features and knew at least one person had.
"Nanuq," Carth said, turning to face the man. "You are supposed to be aft ship. What are you doing in the starboard mess hall?"
Nanuq shrugged, seemingly having gotten over his earlier shock. "Was nothin' goin' on. Figured I'd welcome the newest crew member."
Kaori winced as the look on Carth's face darkened. Even Dilon took a step back.
"Private Nanuq Elkangh!" Carth said his voice as hard as durasteel. "Report to Staff Sergeant Otso Devlon. For the remainder of this mission you are on K.P!"
Nanuq blinked but made no move to obey Carth's order.
"Now, Private!"
With a jerk, Nanuq saluted Carth, spun on his heel, and left the room. Carth turned back to Kaori and Dilon as the door closed.
"Are you alright?" he asked her.
"Yes,' Kaori replied. "Thank you," she added, tipping her head slightly in his direction.
"My pleasure," Carth replied. "Nanuq has never learnt when to quit. This time it caught up with him. I hope he learns his lesson but I doubt it." Carth faced Dilon. "Ensign Chaviv."
Dilon straightened to attention and watched silently, slightly wary.
"Good job," Carth said. "Not many would place themselves between Nanuq and a woman."
"If they were smart they would, sir," Dilon replied, grinning. "Especially when the woman's as pretty and as nice as Miss Vahan here," he added, glancing in her direction.
Kaori could feel her face heat up and was certain that she was blushing.
"Carry on," Carth said, chuckling. He walked away, towards a table on the other side of the room.
Kaori watched him as he got a cup of caf and then noticed the beings in the room had listened in and watched the entire event. She shook her head as she returned to her seat, wondering why none stood up in the pretense of helping. Dilon slid into his seat and smiled at her.
"You look even prettier when you blush," he said, confirming her hunch that she was still blushing.
Kaori took a slip of her blue milk, to hide just how embarrassed she was. She had never believed herself to be pretty. The gods knew she had heard all her life how plain she looked.
"You like the commander, don't you?" Dilon suddenly asked.
Doesn't beat around the wrosyhr tree do he? she thought. "To be honest," she began leaning back against the backrest of her chair, "no. I mean he is nice looking but I don't like him."
"Good," Dilon said, firmly.
"Careful," Kaori warned, chuckling. "Keep acting like that and I'll go sit in his lap."
Dilon busted out laughing. "I could just see the look on his face!" he crowed.
Kaori snickered, never noticing that Carth had sat down a table within earshot of her and Dilon. Nor did she notice that half-amused, half-pained look cross his face.
A week after take off, the Endar Spire was resting at a port on Corellia. Kaori and Dilon were sightseeing in the main city of Coronet while he was on planet-leave.
"There's a live zoo on the west side of the city," Dilon told her as he consulted a datapad with the information and maps of the city.
Kaori grabbed his hand and pulled him to the side. He glanced at her, confusion evident on his face. Kaori gestured with her thumb at the pillar of rock he had just about collided with. Dilon's expression turned sheepish and he scratched the back of his neck with his free hand, while giving an embarrassed chuckle. Kaori just grinned.
"How do we get to the west side?" she asked, deciding not to tease him.
"The zoo's entrance is three blocks that way," Dilon said, lowering his hand from behind his head and pointing to his left.
"Alright," Kaori said, checking her wristchrono. "We're got two hours before we have to be back on board. Let's go."
"Wait," Dilon said, "aren't you supposed to have a meeting with the Jedi at 1600 hours?"
"I did," Kaori answered, passing a pedestrian hurrying in the opposite direction. "For some reason they said the meeting would have to be conducted at a later time." Kaori stopped and faced Dilon, for a brief moment causing him to stop in his tracks. "I get the oddest feeling they are trying to avoid me," she told him, seriously.
"It's been my experience that they avoid everyone except the commander and his staff while on board," Dilon replied.
Kaori thought that one over as they continued. Dilon was right. She had seen very little of the four Jedi on board and had only spoken to one of them twice. She shook her head, not able to see why they shunned getting to know anyone. Kaori had grown up believing that life was worth very little if the journey was not shared by someone – be they friend, family, or something more.
"Here we are," Dilon said, a few minutes later.
Kaori looked up and frowned at the kryat dragon shaped metal work that arched over an old fashioned hinged gate. The left eye of the dragon seemed to stare straight into Kaori's soul, as if weighing whether Kaori was a tasty enough snack. Kaori looked down as a nasal voice interrupted the moment.
"Ah, you here to see animals?" the Rodian asked in a broken accent.
"Yes," Dilon replied, reaching into an inner pocket. "How much for the two of us?"
Kaori raised an eyebrow in Dilon's direction but the young man was ignoring her.
"Five Republic credits for each," the Rodian replied.
Dilon nodded and handed him a ten credit chip. The Rodian handed him a worn datapad in return. "Return at gate when leaving." The Rodian opened the metal gate for them.
Dilon nodded and still ignoring Kaori's questioning look, led her through. He began to consult the datapad and for a moment Kaori waited patiently. When he did not speak, she grunted.
"Why?" she asked, crossing her arms across her face.
Dilon looked up, an innocent expression crossing his face. "Why what?" he asked, with a straight face.
"I could have paid for myself," Kaori said.
"I know," Dilon replied. "Think of it as a lifeday gift."
"But my lifeday isn't for another month," Kaori said, following him as he walked towards a transparisteel-enclosed desert. Just beyond the clear window Kaori could see seven dark brown banthas lumbering around. One broke off from the herd and approached as Dilon stopped by a machine that looked to contain some green, leafy substance. Dilon placed a credcoin in the opening and a small door at the bottom left corner opened. A tray with some of the leaves on it jutted out. Dilon picked the bundle up and the tray slid back in. Kaori just watched him step up to a small opening as the small door closed with a slight click.
"So consider it an early lifeday gift," Dilon said.
Kaori snorted and moved to stand beside him. "Thank you," she whispered.
"My pleasure," Dilon replied handing her some leaves.
Kaori smiled and held her hand out so the bantha could reach the leaves. She giggled as the furry mouth tickled her hand and then sighed when the animal lifted its head.
"Something wrong, Priya?" Dilon asked.
"Priya?" Kaori questioned, confused.
"It means 'Pretty One,'" Dilon answered as he snagged a random passerby. "Sir, could you take a holo for me?"
The older human smiled, the corners of his gray eyes crinkling. "Sure," he agreed, taking the device from Dilon's outstretched hand.
"Thank you," Dilon said, moving so he could stand behind Kaori. The scout glanced at him, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She smiled and blushed when Dilon winked at her. The man snapped the holo at that moment. He then handed the device back to Dilon.
"Here, sir," Dilon said, reaching for, Kaori guessed, something to give the man as a thank you.
"Don't worry about it, sonny," the man said, waving his hand in a dismissal. "I was happy to do that. Such a nice thing to see such a loving couple. Makes me remember my youth." With that the elderly man shuffled off in the direction of the Manaan firaxa shark exhibit.
Dilon winked at Kaori again as the scout felt her face heat up at the man's comment. She swallowed and coughed. "Uh, why did you call me, Priya?" she asked, wanting to divert attention from her embarrassment.
"Because you are pretty," Dilon replied, "and the name suits you. Now, why did you sigh?"
"I think it is better to see these animals where they are meant to be, not enclosed in a place like this," Kaori replied, grateful he was not going to speak about the man's comment.
"It would be," Dilon said as they continued on to another enclosure. "But these kids who can't afford to go and do that can learn about them here. And who knows, maybe one day they'll grow up and save an endangered species just because they saw one of its kind here."
"Well, I can't deny that it would be an educational place," Kaori replied. "But so would a hologram of the animal."
"There is something magical about seeing a live animal and being able to touch it."
"That's true. I can remember when I can face to face with at Corellian razorcat."
"You did?" Dilon asked, sounding very interested.
Kaori grinned. "Why yes," she said. "I did."
Dilon chuckled. "That's a tale I'd love to hear."
"We'll see, Dilon, we'll see."
Kaori laughed at the expression on Dilon's face. The young ensign's face held a mix of mock anger and a mock sadness. Kaori threaded her arm through his and proceeded to tell him the story.
"You are sure of this?" the opposing figure in the dark cloak asked the young man seated across form him in the smoke filled cantina.
"I am," the young man whispered. "I heard it from the commander myself. We'll be over Taris in two weeks."
The figure scratched his chin, the only part the young man could see, thoughtfully. "Very good," he finally said. He reached into his cloak and produced a large handful of credchips. The young man fidgeted, eyes riveted on the different color cards as the figure placed them on the table. "Your reward. The Sith thank and reward those that help them."
The man nodded and greedily grabbed pile of high denotation credits. When he looked up the figure was gone. The man shrugged, stood, and left- already dreaming about he would do with the money.
"Taris," Malak whispered, his voice coming out as a hiss through the droid vocoder surgetically implanted after Revan had sliced off his lower jaw. "It begins and ends."
"I beg your pardon, my Lord," Saul Karath said, stopping just behind the Dark Lord, who was staring out the viewport of the ship. "What are your orders?"
"We'll ambush them," Malak replied. "We have two weeks until they reach this system. Place the ships just outside, wait until they arrive, then pounce."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Admiral," Malak said, not turning around but knowing – and secretly delighting in the fact – that Saul was nervous and afraid. "Bastila is my only concern."
"And of the crew?"
"Wipe them out. All of them."