Part Three: The Best Laid Plans
Additional Disclaimer: All characters, settings etc belong respectively to Bioware and Lucasfilms. I'm not making any money off of this at all, really. Mandalorian culture referenced in this work mostly comes from and is inspired by Athena Prime's wonderful piece: After the Fall. Thank you, Athena.
Location: The Ebon Hawk. Coruscant Space facility.
Brenna looked around the rec area of the Hawk. It was the first time all of them had been alone together since the Leviathan, and she wondered how she'd managed to become the commander of this little crew. Originally it'd been Bastila and Carth who were supposedly running the show, but now it felt like the ghost of Revan was hovering over her shoulder, though she wasn't sure if they were here because of that or in spite of it.
"I'm glad you're all here," she began, "and I'm sorry we couldn't meet somewhere more comfortable, but right now I think a little paranoia is a good thing and I pretty certain about our ability to secure the Hawk, so… You all know by now about the attempt on my life, so I don't think I need to belabor that point. I do, however, need your help… All of you."
She shook her head, "That said I have no authority what-so-ever to tell any of you what to do. This isn't about saving the Republic from the Sith or any other great quest or cause. This is simply trying to catch someone who wants to kill me… Well, maybe not simply, but you get the idea."
"Well, don't we know who it is?" Mission asked from her seat near the holoprojector. "I mean, the Sith kill you and get cookies, right?"
Brenna shrugged uncomfortably, "Yah, but… This just doesn't feel like a Sith attack. If they were going to come after me for er… cookies, it would have been Dark Jedi with lightsabers, not snipers on rooftops, and especially not as clumsy as it was," she mused, "I'm surprised they didn't take advantage while I was healing Carth." Brenna felt Carth squeeze her hand to ward against the vision that realization conjured.
How can he know me this well? She asked herself. Then again, he's known me since I was 'born' so…
Mission winced, "I see your point…"
"Yah, I kinda wish it was the Sith. It'd make my life easier if it were, because they'd probably let me officially go after the bastards." She looked around the room and sighed. "That's right boys and girls, officially I've been told by both the government and the Council to keep out of it, and officially, I've agreed. Unofficially, however, I've told both revered groups where they can stow it."
Carth picked up where Brenna left off, "Which means we're running without anyone's sanction this time."
"How different was that from what we just did?" Canderous asked from his corner. The Mandalorian was leisurely cleaning his carbine as he looked up. "It's not as if we had any real Republic backing then either." He flashed a cold smile at Carth. "No offense, Onasi. I meant in weapons, material, and government backing."
Carth's voice was cold as he replied. "Of course you were, but as much as I hate to agree with you on anything, Canderous, you're right, damn it."
Ordo snorted, "So the question is, what next? These attacks aren't going to stop." He put the weapon aside, and looked directly at Brenna. "You know that, don't you, Brenna."
Slumping back in a chair she sighed. "Whoever wants me dead has committed himself, and he's going to learn from his mistakes."
Canderous nodded and gave her a half smile. "Now you're thinking like the Jedi Revan."
She mocked glared at him, and commented tartly, "Let's hope I don't start I don't start thinking like Dark Lord Revan any time soon, Canderous, but you're right again." She looked pleadingly at Carth. "Is he allowed to be right more than once?"
"I think it's against the rules, but as fun as this is, we still have the problem of what to do with you, Bren."
"Considering I'm a danger to myself and others, you mean?" Looking around the room at the faces there her eyes lighted on Jolee who'd been quiet through the entire conversation. "You're thinking something, old man, out with it."
"You either need to get lost or get found, lass," he mused with a slight twinkle "or both."
Brenna goggled at him for a moment, and then a slow smile spread across her face. "You sly old… Damn, have I told you how much I adore you, Jolee?"
Bindo returned the smile with a sly one of his own. "I don't rob cradles, girl, so save your energy for the fly boy," he replied lightly, jerking his thumb at Carth who proceeded to have the grace to blush as Brenna grinned.
"Okay, here's what we'll do. You're not going to be thrilled about this, Mission, but…"
