Hearts Eye View - Chapter Three

Escape from Taris

In short order, we found the help we desperately needed. An unscrupulous Mandalorian mercenary named Canderous Ordo was willing to betray his current master, the crime lord Davik Kang, and wanted us to help him. If it had been up to me, I would have left him to rot on this world with his master, but Veran thought this was the quickest (and least likely anticipated) way offworld. Carth and I reluctantly agreed.

The "catch" was that we needed 2,000 credits to pay for a droid to slice past the security of the Sith military base so we could acquire the pass code to clear the blockade of this world. No mean feat and we were a bit short on funds. Rev… I mean Veran decided again for the expedient route and finish his career in the Dueling Rings of Taris with a flourish. It seemed one Bendak Starkiller had a price on his head for his penchant for death matches and the only way to face him was in the dueling ring. Aside from becoming Taris' premiere swoop racer, he also became the Taris Dueling Champion while on his quest to find me. This impressed Bendak enough for him to accept a challenge.

Over my very stringent protests that we had more important things to do than go bounty-hunting, Veran insisted. The prize money from the betting, and the bounty itself would put us well over the amount we needed to purchase the droid and re-supply for our entry into the base. He was stubborn and headstrong. It seems that he kept some of Revan's traits after all. This also made me fearful that he might start down the path of darkness again. The masters say once you start down the dark path, it will forever dominate your destiny. I suppose this was true, memory or not. Did we do the right thing? Or did we only give him a second chance at darkness? That thought would eat away at me for the next few days.

The day came for the deathmatch. I continued to protest, as often as possible. It had little impact except other than drive everyone to frustration. We weren't even allowed into the arena; just to watch on the monitors. I had hoped to use the Force to adjudicate the battle, but at this distance only my Battle Meditation would have been possible, and it had little effect on such a small skirmish.

I must confess, I was beginning to worry. Veran was important to the war effort, in his own way. To lose him on such a petty endeavor seemed… wrong.

The duel opened with Bendak lobbing a pair of plasma grenades at Veran, who deftly rolled forward, closing the distance between himself and the armored assailant. The two crossed vibroblades and the duel began in earnest. Veran soon slipped out a second blade and slipped into a new fighting style. I had no idea he was skilled in that particular method of dueling. It was most difficult, but he handled it deftly. Where Bendak hacked and attacked with a brutal efficiency, Veran spun, parried and whirled around his attacker with the grace of a Jedi.

It shouldn't have surprised me. It is common knowledge, even with memory loss, the body remembers instinctually things like combat reflexes. He was mesmerizing. Bendak was truly in a fight. Even armored as Mandalorian, head to toe, you could tell he was enjoying it. This malicious man lived for battle, so much so, that I do believe he may have been a Mandalorian. And like those warriors, he was cunning.

As they locked blades, Bendak kicked Veran in the knee, driving him off-balance and then slammed him in the face with the hilt of his blade, knocking him down. He immediately took an overhead pose, preparing to finish Veran off. Without realizing, I sharply pulled in a breath of air and moved forward towards the screen. No! was the only thought in my head. Veran kicked up, nailing Bendak in his groin. The armor absorbed most of the impact, but it still threw him off.

Veran kicked himself back up took the smaller of his two blades, and threw it with all his might. Bendak looked up but didn't react quite quickly enough, and the vibroblade drove itself into his throat. He just stood there for a moment, even over the feed, you could almost hear him gurgle. Then he fell over dead.

The crowds, both in the arena and here at the cantina, went wild. The announcer cried out, "It's over, it's over, the fight is OVER! Bendak Starkiller is down! Bendak Starkiller is dead!" I looked back over at Carth and saw him looking at me with this curious expression. It was then I realized, that I had been holding my breath for the last few moments of the fight. I replayed it in my head and realized that rather brief if emotional display. I was in obvious need of meditation. My emotional control was obviously beginning to slip. Still, it was only natural to be concerned for a comrade-in-arms, was it not? This man was my charge; to let him die would reflect poorly on me. My concern was for the mission.

Wasn't it?

After the duel, we collected the winnings from Ajurr the Hutt, then promptly down to Zax's office in Javyar's cantina down in the Lower City to collect the bounty on Bendak Starkiller. With both rewards in hand, we were able to afford the astromech droid the Mandalorian mercenary, Canderous Ordo, had suggested we buy to crack the security on the Sith military base.

Janice Nall, the Twi'lek droid engineer, was surprised we had come to pick up the droid, but the sight of 2,000 credits did enough to squelch any questions she had. The little droid, T3-M4, was a highly advanced astromech. I had rarely seen this particular variant, even serving on the Endar Spire. The T3 series was very new, and this one had obviously been further modified for… illicit activities. Despite its less than savory origins, T3 seemed to have that rather irreverent attitude that comes with all state of the art droids. It was very friendly, and had little compunction about slicing into an encrypted military system. We were finally on our way.

Not that it mattered much where I was concerned. Both Re… Veran. Must refer to him as Veran. The slightest slip of the tongue would cause untold problems. Veran and Carth pointed out a problem I had not yet considered.

Veran was the first to speak. "Uh, Bastila? I hate to be the one to bring this up, but you can't come with us."

I slowly turned and looked at him, giving him an icy glare. "What do you mean?"

"We're going to have to break into a Sith military facility. Having along someone whose face has been flashed on every Most Wanted update for the last few days isn't going to make things easy."

"Nonsense. The mission is undoubtedly going to mean encountering a true Sith, not just their foot soldiers. You'll need me along to deal with them. You cannot honestly expect to stand up to someone who wields the power of the Force."

Veran bristled at my comment. My tone was harsh, and derisive. He looked about to cut back, when Carth jumped in.

"We know the risks, Bastila, but we want to do this as low-key as possible, and the moment any security cam spots you, the whole place is going to come down on our heads. Without you, we have a chance to get in and out with a minimum of fuss."

"Besides, I think you need to give us non-Jedi a little credit. After all, we did rescue you from the Vulkars," Veran shot back. Carth winced visibly, and I, unfortunately, took the bait.

"Need I remind you that I freed myself without your assistance? Brejik would have killed you without my assistance. I understand your need to bolster your ego by claiming things happened a bit differently, I assure you, you help was not needed."

"Well in that case, why don't you go storm the base all by yourself! I'm sure your vastly superior Jedi powers will sweep away all in your path! I can just go down to the cantina, kick up my feet, and let my adoring fans buy me a few rounds!"

"You insufferable…! The ability to ride a swoop at insane speeds and put ones life in danger for mere monetary gain is insignificant next to the power of the Force! We are talking about the fate of the galaxy!" I could feel myself growing angry. Why? This was foolish of me! It was then that I realized that I could feel some faint trace of the anger in him, and it was feeding my own. Clearly this bond was more dangerous than the council realized. His darkness could corrupt even me, if we were not careful.

At this point, Carth stepped in. "Simmer down, you two. Look this bickering won't get us anywhere. Veran, she's right. We have to look at the bigger picture here. The same goes for you, Bastila. Put your pride away, and accept the fact that we're all partners in this."

Ashamed by this, I backed down. "Of course, you're right, Carth."

Veran nodded but kept his eyes on me. The look on his face was… mixed. I couldn't tell what he was feeling. He had locked himself down, and somehow this was even blocking the nascent emotional connection our bond had given us. Could he have felt it too? He couldn't know what it meant. But he was going to be asking more questions. I had to get him back to Dantooine, and soon…

I let them go. Carth didn't leave me much choice. He took Veran and T3 and went after the military base. They were gone for hours. Mission and Zaalbar left to go find food, as they were the only ones who could wander freely without attracting too much attention. Alone in that small apartment, I paced restlessly.

My discipline was slipping. It had to be this thrice-cursed bond with Revan. It slipped past my emotional barriers, and opened a hole in them I did not need. Master Vrook constantly told me that my control was not sufficient. I needed to reinforce my control; shore up my walls. I knelt in meditation, trying to find my center, that place where I was at peace and could become one with the Force.

I don't know how much time passed. Time always blurs in a meditative trance. It can be used to replace sleep for short periods of time. I felt out my bond with Revan. I could feel his anxiousness, his exhilaration in battle. I could feel the Force sing through him as he fought whatever opponent stood in his way. I could also feel the tendrils of the darkness within him, lurking just beneath the surface.

It chilled me. I knew the kernel of the Light within him had broken through the dark cloud that once dominated him, but some of it still clung. The potential was there. The Dark Side had not completely left one of its most powerful followers. I couldn't help but think of the power he had amassed so quickly. Here he had been, only a Knight, and yet in the space of two years, he had become one of the most powerful Dark Lords ever. For a moment, I could not help but wonder at how he had fallen, and how he had gained such power. I had studied for most of my life, and was still only considered a Padawan…

No! Thoughts such as these were dangerous. Surely Revan and Malak had similar thoughts before they started down their bloody path. I would not make such a mistake. Unlike the willful Revan, I would follow the dictates of the council. I was not so arrogant as to question their wisdom.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain course through my body and pierce me, deep in my meditative state. I felt the bond fade to what seemed like nothingness. I collapsed onto the floor, sweating, barely able to breathe. Something must have happened! Could he be dead? NO! I should have gone! I could not have failed him like that! I could not have failed the council! He was my charge, I was to protect him! I tried to reach out, but then another sharp pain lanced through me and I blacked out.

I regained consciousness, and was confused. The pain had passed, but the bond was very weak. It was still there though. Surely he still lives! I got up and gathered myself. A few minutes later, the door to the apartment hissed open. Carth came in, followed by Zaalbar, Mission and T3. Zaalbar carried a badly wounded Re… VERAN damn it… his fur matted with blood.

I rushed forward as Zaalbar lowered Veran to a bunk. I could make out a couple of deep slash wounds across his chest.

"You were right, Bastila. There was a Sith there, apparently the Governor. He didn't have a lightsaber, so Veran charged in, thinking he could take him. He held his own for a few moments, but that spawn of a Hutt got under his guard. He was too cocky. Hell, we both were. As soon as Veran went down, he came after me. My blasters only work so well at close range. He would have finished me off if T3 hadn't nailed him with a stun blast. We ran out of kolto medkits dealing with the sentry droids, and I had nothing to stabilize him with. I got him out of the base, and ran into Mission and Zaalbar who helped me get him back here."

I immediately pulled out a medkit I had kept in reserve for myself and went to work on his wounds, applying the kolto to the deep lacerations. This would seal the wounds and halt the blood loss, even deal with some of the internal bleeding. As I did this, I made sure Carth took the full brunt of my fury over this debacle.

"You couldn't be bothered to listen to a single thing I told you, could you? I'm sure you charged into battle with your typical male bravado! Why, I don't know, as you had no one to try and impress! Perhaps you thought T3 would swoon at your manly swagger! At least the droid had more sense and tactical planning than the two of you put together! If it hadn't been for him, you'd both be dead, and we'd be stranded. Next time I hope you at least attempt to think before you act. You never know when your actions will cost someone their life!"

Carth recoiled at my words as if he had been physically struck. I didn't know then… though it would not have made a difference. I was upset, angry. I wanted to lash out, and hurt him I succeeded admirably.

"You're right, Bastila." He stiffened visibly. "I should go get some more medical supplies. We'll need them." He turned and walked swiftly from the apartment.

Mission looked back and forth during the exchange. As Carth hurried out, she called "Hey, Carth! Wait up!" Zaalbar followed quickly behind her, leaving me alone with the injured R…. Veran and T3-M4. I couldn't blame her for leaving. There wasn't anything she could do regardless.

I tended Veran's wounds. His body was accepting the kolto, which was a good sign. The bleeding had already stopped, and the kolto would neutralize any infection already present, as well as seal the wound close, and speed the healing process. There was always a risk of kolto rejection, or some kind of allergic reaction if too much is taken in too short a time. If nothing went wrong in the next 15 minutes, he would likely survive.

I let out a slow breath, and tucked my braids back behind my ears. I looked down at my dueling leathers and saw the blood stains on them, knowing the blood was his. That thought shook me, more than it should have. I didn't feel this kind of trauma when my fellow Jedi died back on the bridge of the Titan. Many I had known and studied with had died during the war against the Sith, the war that this man had started. Why did I continue to feel such concern for him! I suddenly realized I was running my hand lightly over his chest, tracing the wounds. No, it was more than that. I stopped and just looked at my hand, as if it had mind of its own.

At that moment, I suddenly felt a hand shoot up and grasp my wrist tightly. I gasped in surprise. I looked up and saw Re… Veran looking at me with half-open eyes. He smiled wanly at me. "Guess I can't argue over who saved who this time, huh, Bas?" He then laid his head back and promptly drifted off. From his breathing, I could tell it was sleep, not just a loss of consciousness. That was not the only shocking moment. He called me Bas. Only my father had called me that, when I was just a little girl… Could he have known, on some subconscious level? How deep did this bond go?

At that moment, I was both excited and afraid. I wanted this bond dissolved. Let someone else do this. This man was getting under my shields far too easily. He had affected me in ways I was not comfortable with. I desperately wished I was back on Dantooine, so that the Masters could relieve me of this burden. But deep down, there was also this tiny bit of…excitement. I realized, I wanted someone to know me, to understand me. I pushed those thoughts away as I stood up quickly and moved to the window. It was a gorgeous view of Upper City. Night had fallen, but the lights of the city made it impossible to make out the stars. It was if the entire planet were surrounded in darkness.

We must get off this world and quickly. The Sith are no longer the only danger to me here.

Veran slept for over a full planetary rotation. I kept a close eye on him, and his pulse was strong and his breathing regular. At some point in the night, I fell asleep beside his bed. I did not hear Carth, Mission, and Zaalbar return from their supply run. Given how long it took them to return, I could only assume they took what Carth would shrug off as the scenic route. No doubt giving me time to cool down. I came back to awareness with Mission shaking my shoulder gently.

"Bastila? Hey… sorry to wake you, but we got some supply from Zelka. He said if we needed, we could bring Veran by his place. Least he could do for the man who gave him the rakghoul cure." she said with a small smile.

I quickly snapped to attention. I glanced up at Veran who was now snoring quite noisily. Carth looked amused, and one can never mistake a Wookiee's chuckle for anything other than what it is. It was then I realized that I was fell asleep resting against his bed. I quickly stood up and straightened my clothes. "Rakghoul cure? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, it was great! We were taking out a rakghoul pack that had just finished off a Sith patrol. Veran noticed a special medkit on one of them, and when he checked it out, we actually found a sample of an experimental rakghoul serum! We brought it to Zelka to have it analyzed, and he confirmed that not only was it a viable cure, but it was something he could replicate in his facility! That little toad, Gurney, was a fit to be tied!" Mission giggled in a way that reminded me that this was a 14yo girl I was talking to, not just a street-raised thief.

"Who is this Gurney?" I was feeling very confused now. They had found a cure for some kind of local plague while searching for me? Exactly how much did I miss while being held by that bastard Brejik?

"Oh, Gurney was Zelka's lab assistant. He's a greedy little bastard who tried to talk Veran into selling the serum to Zax at the bounty office for Davik Kang. That little core-slime looked like he was about to die when Veran just walked in, handed it over to Zelka and then refused what little payment the Doc had to offer." She glanced over at the figure on the bed. "It felt really good to do that. Its not often you meet someone in the Lower City who'd go out of his way to help someone else. He even helped me get Zaalbar away from those Gamorrean slavers, didn't ask for nothing as a reward. Though I expect a Wookiee life debt was probably a bit more than he wanted."

I was surprised, and it must have shown on my face. There hadn't been much time to fill me in on what happened while they hunted for me, and I had to admit, I never really thought to ask. I just assumed nothing of consequence happened. Obviously I was wrong. Carth just smiled sympathetically at me. "I realize he's probably not your favorite person in the galaxy at the moment, Bastila, but you've got to give him credit. He may be inquisitive and aggravating, but even I can't fault his character."

A groggy voice from behind me said, "I assure you, any tales of my generosity and kindness are greatly exaggerated." He sat up slowly. "Very well, Mistress, I await your wrath. I'm sure the only reason you put me back together again was so I'd be in perfect health so you could kill me for my 'arrogant bravado." he said in a imitation of my voice and accent.

I just glared at him balefully, refusing to rise to his bait. "That won't be necessary, Veran. I'm sure you learned your lesson. I trust next time you will heed my advice before running off into danger." My voice was cold and controlled.

"Absolutely, mistress, as you command," he said with a sickly smirk. "Don't ever call me that." I snapped, and I instantly realized my mistake.

"Yes, princess. Or would you prefer Your Highness?" His grin was wide enough to swallow a planet and Carth was doing everything in his power not to laugh.

I should have let him die on that bridge.

We all returned to Javyar's cantina for our rendezvous with the Mandalorian mercenary, Canderous Ordo. The mercenary was at least as old as Carth, scars on his face and arms told the tale of a lifetime of battle. He surely participated in the Mandalorian Wars only a scant few years ago. I couldn't help but wonder how he would react if he knew he faced the man who had so soundly defeated them. Our deal was that we provided launch codes to clear the blockade, and he would provide the ship. Now that we had lived up to our end of the bargain, it became necessary to take Veran and present him to Davik Kang as a potential new recruit. Veran's reputation, both in swoop and dueling circles, would be the perfect resume to intrigue the local crimelord. However, I did not trust the Mandalorian as far as T3 could throw him, and insisted on coming along.

Carth again brought up the same problem as would have plagued us at the Sith military base. Davik would surely recognize me, if nothing else, than from the swoop race debacle. Canderous had a… solution of sorts. "Oh, it won't be a problem. She was the Vulkar's prize. Veran won. That makes her his slave, as far as anyone in the know on Taris is concerned. Just make sure Davik doesn't see that fancy glowrod of hers, and he won't bat an eye."

"You can't be serious! I refuse! To even pretend to be a slave to… to… HIM! Absolutely not!"

Canderous glared at her with impatience. "Look, sister. You want to tag along; you have to have a reason to be there. Veran has a reason. I have a reason. YOU need a reason. So either stuff the pride or borrow the kid's pazaak deck and practice a few hands. I don't have time for this. I'll get my speeder. Meet me at platform C14 in 10 minutes." With that, the turned and walked off.

"Bastila, look, I know this doesn't sit well with you, given what you went through with the Vulkar's but if you want to go along, he's right. It's the only way to get you in, without raising too many questions. Besides, we both know I have as much chance of making you do my bidding as Zaalbar has passing for a Jawa." Veran said with a sympathetic smile. "It'll just be for a little while. We get in, pander to Davik, wait for nightfall, then we take the ship and get off this planet. It'll go a lot easier with you along. I could use some help with this."

The look on his face made me soften just a touch. I could feel his sincerity through our bond. He was right. It was just an act, and he would need help dealing with Davik's security, and maybe even that Mandalorian, should it turn out to be a trap. "Very well, Veran. You are correct. We should go quickly." I handed him my lightstaff, which he quickly concealed in his pack.

"Mission, Zaalbar, T3, and I will wait back at home base. There's a landing pad on the roof. When you get the ship, signal us, and we'll be waiting. You won't even have to set her down. Just lower the boarding ramp and hover." Carth walked over and shook Veran's hand. "Good luck. Don't trust that merc for an instant. Watch out for each other." He took a step back and snapped a salute to both of us, and led the others off.

"Well, Bastila… no time like the present." Veran looked at me solemnly. He knew this was risky, but so far, it was our only option. I nodded agreement and we went to make our rendezvous.

Davik Kang was everything I had come to expect in those crime lords affiliated with the Exchange: slimy, conceited, and completely amoral. He was a human, in his early 60s, with white thinning hair, but from the rather impressive well-used set of custom battle armor he was wearing, he was obviously quite used to taking care of himself. I was quite shocked to find myself wishing I could kill him, and spare this world any further damage from him. I realized that it was Veran feeling this, not myself. After all, I knew killing this man now would change nothing. Someone would merely replace him. A Jedi would only kill him if he was a direct threat to others at that moment, in self-defense, or if the way had been paved to dismantle his entire organization.

I could feel Veran's utter contempt for the man echoing across the room to me, even though nothing showed on his face as Davik showed us around his operation. It was disconcerting to feel such strong emotion coming from him. Our bond was slowly growing in strength, though he gave no outward sign of it having any effect on him, other than some odd dreams. His talent was still there, but latent now. I considered myself fortunate that he could not read me the way I could him. It still shook me though. All my life, Master Vrook had taught me to have a strong reign on my emotions. While I was still considered headstrong by him, and the rest of the Order, I had long wrestled to keep my emotions under firm control. Now I was deeply, almost intimately, connected to a man whose emotions run freely.

What astonished me more was how easily he seemed to live with them. Mine had always confused and frustrated me. I longed for the easy self-control demonstrated by the Council. Yet, Veran seemed to take his in easy stride. The strength of them seemed overwhelming to me, but they seemed to just… flow through him, much as we are taught to let the Force do with us. I was confused. How did he do it? I had to admit, I feared for him. This is obviously what led him to the Dark Side, and to all the pain and death we had suffered over the last two years. I would not let myself be taken in by his mistake.

My thoughts returned to the present as Davik led us to our quarters. Matters seemed complicated suddenly, as Calo Nord came. The short yet bulky man strode in confidently. I could see that Canderous was giving Calo a look that should have roasted him alive. The two traded a few verbal shots at each other, before Davik told them both to stand down. I was very glad I had come along. The man may be diminutive in size, but not in skill. I had no doubt even the Mandalorian would find his hands full with the bounty hunter. I was quite right that I was needed, despite my role as "slave."

It was then that I heard Davik offering to house me in the slave quarters. It took all my training to keep for shooting a scathing look at Veran, who replied, "No, thank you, Davik. I'd rather keep her with me. She's quite talented, and I must admit, I'm unwilling to share her with others, as yet." He gave the crimelord a rakish smile as he ran a hand down the side of my face. Part of me wanted to bite his hand, but I knew that would not go over well with our hosts. I did my best to look slightly repulsed and scared at the same time, hoping Davik wouldn't question it. He didn't, fortunately. Actually, I think I could go for one of those lovely massages you were talking about. It's been a rough couple of weeks. I bit my tongue internally as Veran took off his armor and lay down on the bed. "Well!" he barked at me. I glanced, seeing Canderous smirk and Davik chuckle as he and Calo looked on.

The bastard was playing me! He KNEW I couldn't refuse… why that… I could feel his smug satisfaction, and it was all I could do no to throttle him right there. I calmed myself. I would not give into this, no matter how frustrating he was. There is no passion, there is serenity… I couldn't break role now, so I took up the oil and began to work on his back, as he sighed contentedly. Davik laughed and said, "I can see he's going to fit in well with organization. As soon as your background check comes up clean, we'll get you to work. Don't get too comfortable. I'd advise you not to leave the wing, but I see you're going to be occupied for awhile." With that, he and Calo left. As soon as the door shut, I grabbed the sensitive nerve where the neck joins to the collar, forcing Veran to clench his teeth.

"I'm sure that was very amusing to you on some juvenile level, but if you're quite through, 'master' I suggest we move along." I said sharply. I gave the nerve another sharp pinch to accentuate my point. Despite the discomfort, Veran could not help laughing, and Canderous joined him. "It takes a rare kind to taunt a Jedi like that. You must have Mandalorian blood in your veins. Come on, we need to find a way to deactivate the Ebon Hawk's security shields." Veran rolled off the bed and got dressed, then handed me back my lightstaff. Canderous hacked the door code, and we were finally on our way. He knew the layout of Davik's estate. The hangar was to the southwest. All we needed were those codes.

Canderous led us on a hunt for Davik's chief pilot, who would have the codes to bypass the security system in the hanger. We were quite fortuitous to find the Ebon Hawk's pilot trapped in Davik's torture chamber, apparently for skimming some spice off the top of his usual deliveries. He was only too happy to tell us how to deactivate the security field guarding Davik's smuggling ship in exchange for deactivating the pain booth he was trapped in. With the access code in hand, we went immediately to the hangar. The few guards in the halls were quickly and quietly dispatched by my lightsaber while Veran and Canderous kept an eye out. But as with all plans, ours hit a small snag.

As we reached the hangar, we could see a rain of laser fire coming down enveloping the city. It was a planetary bombardment. Such a tactic had only one purpose, to wipe all life from the intended target. But why? Taris was harmless as worlds go: too myopic and self-centered to ferment a real rebellion. Why commit genocide on an entire world? It was then I realized the truth. This is because of me. Malak doesn't want me to leave this world alive. I wasn't the only one who realized this. Veran muttered, "An entire world? They'd kill an entire world for just one person?" I could hear the shock in his voice, and disbelief reverberated down on bond, and the horror. I heard one thought clear as day. All of that… all of those people… and it didn't matter… I realized he was thinking of the Undercity Outcasts, the plague victims, and the debtors he had helped. All those he saved, were about to die anyway. A wave of despair washed over me, something so profound that it almost knocked me off my feet. To feel such disillusion at a tactic he himself would have embraced only a few months earlier…I suddenly wondered if there was truly anything left of the Dark Lord inside him. But now was not the time for such thoughts.

As we moved towards the Ebon Hawk, Davik Kang and Calo Nord moved in from the opposite side of the hanger. "What's this? A group of thieves in the night? You just going to leave me to die, Canderous, while you and your new friends slip away. Sorry! I don't think so! Calo! Kill them all, and lets get the hell out of here, before the damn Sith bring this entire planet down around our ears."

Both Calo and Davik drew their weapons and unleashed a hail of fire. I ignited my lightstaff, and threw it at the crimelord. I allowed the Force to guide my throw, and it arced through Davik Kang, bisecting him. As I called my blade back to my hand, Calo realized taking all three of us without preparation was virtually impossible. He drew a thermal detonator from his belt and armed it. "I may die here, but you're coming with me!" Right at that moment, a barrage of fire punched through the hanger near Calo, bringing the superstructure down around him.

Canderous moved swiftly and punched in the access code. The shield around the Ebon Hawk shimmered and vanished. "Move it, people!" Veran and I ran aboard, and we took the helm. It took a few moments for us to familiarize ourselves with the ship's controls, but we managed to clear the hangar mere seconds before a barrage of incoming fire ruptured the fuel tanks inside. We managed to avoid most of the incoming fire and made it to our apartment tower. Veran had sent the signal to evacuate as soon as we cleared Davik's estate. The real trick was lowering our shields long enough to get everyone on board, and hope the Sith did not get a direct hit while we were vulnerable.

The Force was with us and Canderous got everyone on board in under a minute. I moved back to help. Canderous and Zaalbar were struggling to find someone to move T3 up onto the ramp without actually landing the ship. Given his design, it was proving problematic. I closed my eyes and reached out with the Force. T3 lifted from Zaalbar's grasp and slowly moved up the ramp in midair. I could hear the little droid's bleeps of confusion, which ceased when I finally set him down at the base of the ramp. Canderous looked over at me and said "About time you did something useful, princess."

I was about to retort when Carth came up the ramp, and asked to take the helm. Without a word, Veran slipped out of the captain's seat, and let the more experienced soldier fly us clear of the planet. Our Sith pass code, deactivated the automated batteries in our flight path, but it immediately alerted fleet command that someone was escaping. Two wings of fighters were dispatched to take us out. Canderous and Veran took over the gun wells, and with some deft maneuvering on behalf of Carth, the 6 fighters were quickly dispatched. Carth asked for a location to jump to, and I informed him to set course for Dantooine. Veran, just returned from his gun well, seconded the idea and we leapt to hyperspace moments later.

I looked up at Veran, who had this distant look on his face. He saw me staring and said, "I guess I should go check on Mission. It can't be easy losing the world you grew up on…" I saw a look of pain flash across his face.

"She is strong. And so are you. Time will heal this wound, trust me."

He gaze turned into the most hateful expression I have ever seen on anyone. "This wound will heal after Malak is dead." he said in a low, cold tone, as he turned and walked back to the crew quarters. The chill of dread filled me. It seems there was something left of the Dark Lord after all. I was very on edge, almost… excited, and I'm not sure which unnerved me more.

I did not sleep well the rest of the journey.