Disclaimer: Anything you recognize isn't mine. Anything that makes you go "what's that?" I made up.
Sith Lord Darth Revan: Thank you. Here's more!
Darth Arachne: Thank you for thinking it is. Here's more!
snackfiend101: But sometimes those that read a lot are the best writers! ;) And yes, writers who block reviews are silly. ;p
ether-fanfic: Thanks. Yeah, Carth's so suspicious he'll probably be shocked when he finds out it's justified lol.
Douglas Fett: Glad you like my Revan, Doug. Since she's basically me in a sense, if you haven't guessed. :)
stupid-gizka: Thanks. There's more Carth paranoia coming up! :P Oh, and interesting pen-name!
Warning: -terrified random Sith officer- "E-evil Revan coming through! Make way!"
Chapter 6: Duels and a Party
When they approached the Upper Cantina they noted the Sith guard at the entrance. Carth began to fidget nervously, but Revan just casually strode past. Carth marveled at her composure and followed.
When they entered Revan whispered to him, "Let's split up. We can collect more information that way. Meet you back at the entrance in 3 hours."
Before Carth could answer she had disappeared into the crowd. Damn. He was beginning to see that woman was so unpredictable. Making his way to the bar he half-heartedly tried to strike up a conversation with one of the customers. The man just eyed him, made a loud comment on his clothing, and ignored him. Carth sighed. It was going to be a long 3 hours.
After Revan had left Carth she sorted her priorities. If they were headed for the Undercity they needed better weapons. She was confident that she could handle anything with her lightsaber, but with Mr. Republic hanging around her that ruled out that possibility unless it was a life or death situation- for her. So they needed credits.
Locating the pazaak area, Revan purchased a deck from an old man. Within an hour, Revan had cleaned out most of the players. After she had defeated the local champion card shark, the rest had refused to play her. So, considerably richer than when she came in Revan went looking for her next target: a Sith officer. Carefully noting the cantina patrons' behavior, she concluded that a young man sitting near a corner to be one.
Walking over she slid into the chair opposite of him. "Hey there." she greeted in her most sultry voice. "You look rather lonely. My name's Arcana." She smiled silkily at him.
The Sith officer goggled a moment, opening and closing his mouth before forcing out a "Hi. Y-yun Genda." He coughed a little. "I'm surprised you're even talking to me. Most of the locals don't like us Sith here." he said in a more normal voice, never taking his eyes off her.
"I'm not a local." Revan said, then feigned surprise. "You're a Sith?"
Yun nodded. "Not a local huh? An offworlder? I bet you're even more angry, stuck on an alien planet." He fully expected her to get up and leave.
She surprised him with her next words. "No, I'm not angry. After all, you were just doing you're job. The locals aren't much fun though."
Yun brightened as he realized he wasn't going to be shunned. Perhaps he had a chance to hit it off with her? "Yeah, can't they see that they have to make the best of things? It's not like most of us wanted to be stuck on this backwater planet." he said.
"You have a pretty positive attitude!" Revan practically gushed at him. She was making herself sick.
Yun seemed to puff out with pride. "Yeah! That's it! It's all about attitude!" he said proudly. He looked at her. "Hey, most of us junior officers are going to have a party tonight to blow off some steam. We're gonna go directly from the base, we aren't even gonna lock up our uniforms I bet." he said jokingly. "D'you wanna come?" he asked hopefully.
Perfect. Revan thought. "Of course I'd be happy to come!" Revan beamed at him.
Yes! I have a hot date! Nordo is gonna be so jealous! Yun thought. "Great! Here, let me show you where it is." Yun uploaded a map and marked it on her datapad. He looked at the time. "It's nearly time for my shift at the base. Don't be late!" he said, getting up and waving to her.
"I'll see you there." Revan told him. When he was gone she checked her chrono. She still had a lot of time left before meeting up with Onasi. She suddenly sensed a bubble of excitement further in the cantina. Curious, she followed it. Stepping into a large room, she overheard a young couple discussing something. Stepping closer she listened. A dueling arena hmm? Revan watched on a vidscreen as one of the duelists dropped his blaster and was shot by his opponent. Revan snorted. If this was the standard duelist, it should make for easy credits. Revan made her way to the Hutt that was in charge.
###
As Carth waited by the entrance he was starting to get worried. He checked his chrono. She's late. He thought. After waiting for another 10 minutes Carth decided to go look for her. Wandering around he noticed a distinct lack of people than when he first entered. Where is everybody? He thought. He suddenly heard a loud cheer from what he was told to be the dueling arena.
Maybe Arcana was watching and forgot the time. he concluded. Entering, he searched around in the crowd. Another cheer caused him to look up at a vidscreen. He froze in horror. Arcana was one of the duelists in the arena! She was fighting an old man with a double bladed vibrostaff. Carth watched tensely as the battle progressed.
Finally she was able to get past his defenses and knocked him off his feet. Her blade descended and for a moment Carth thought she was going to kill him, but the vibroblade stopped just in time. The camera recording the fight zoomed in, and everyone saw not one drop of blood from where the vibroblade just touched. The crowd went wild. It was an amazing feat of control. The announcer was ecstatic.
###
Exiting from the arena, Revan spotted Carth, waiting rigidly for her. "A good fight Marl." she said to the old man, "I'll be seeing you around."
"Goodbye, Stranger." Marl said, calling her by the name she had adopted for the duel ring. He watched her leave. A very dangerous fighter that one. Marl thought. He could still see the feral glint in her eyes when they fought. He had known then he had no chance, but he still tried. He suppressed a shudder as he recalled the fight. She had been toying with him, making it seem that they were equal in skill when she could have wiped him out in the first minute.
"What were you thinking!" Carth burst out as soon as Revan was in hearing range. "You could have been killed!" he continued in agitation.
"Relax. There's an energy suppressor around the ring, the fights aren't lethal." she calmly told him. She walked up to Ajuur the Hutt and collected her winnings. "Let's go get a drink." she told Carth, who could only stare and follow. He'd never met anyone quite like her.
Grabbing a couple of drinks she led him to a corner table. Sitting down, she began to tell him about the Sith party.
"I can't let you go alone!" Carth said, interrupting her. He felt uneasy. More like useless, he thought honestly to himself. Arcana was the one who was doing everything while he just tagged along.
Revan was aware of what he was thinking. "I can take care of myself. It might even be fun!" Revan grinned at Carth's expression. "While I'm at the party, you go and purchase some things we need. Medpacks and some new weapons maybe." she said. "As you said, we need to be prepared." Digging into her pocket, she removed a sizable amount of credits and handed them to him.
"Where did you get this many credits?" he asked in amazement. "Certainly not from dueling!" Did she pick some unsuspecting noble's pocket?
"I'm a fair pazaak player." she simply said. "So. I still have some time before the party. Tell me about yourself Carth." she abruptly asked.
"Me?" Carth said in surprise.
"Yes, you. I don't see another Carth Onasi around here. Do you?" she said, mimicking looking around for something.
"Funny." Carth said. He thought a moment. "Well, I've been a star pilot for several years now. I've seen more wars than I ever want to see. Hell, I didn't want to see any wars!" He sighed sadly. "I fought in the Mandalorian wars before all this." He looked up at Revan and clenched his fist. "But even with all that, I've never experienced anything like the slaughter these Sith animals can unleash! Not even the Mandalorians were that senseless."
Revan felt her anger rise. "You mean when they had fallen under Malak!" she retorted, with effort she managed to control her temper. "The massacres started only when Malak took the mantle of Dark Lord!"
Carth's hand tightened on his glass as he eyed her suspiciously. Why was she defending them? He said icily, "Revan or Malak, I don't care. They're both Sith." He lowered his voice to a pained whisper. "My homeworld was one of the first planets to fall to Malak's fleet. They bombed it into submission, and there wasn't a damn thing the Republic could do!"
Revan sensed his intense guilt, it radiated off him in tidal waves. "You're talking like it was your fault somehow." she remarked neutrally. "Like you failed."
"It shouldn't be my fault! I did everything I could! I followed all my orders and did my duty!" Carth's voice was rising with every word.
"Keep it down!" Revan hissed. What was he trying to do? He's the one who cautioned her to keep a low profile!
"That shouldn't mean I failed them! I didn't!" Carth said in a broken whisper. Carth remembered watching in horror as Telos burned, Sith ships firing down on the planet. Revan's voice cut through his memories.
"Them?" Revan raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean the people of your homeworld?" Revan could clearly sense his pain. Family, I bet. she thought.
"Yes. No... no. T-that's not what I meant." He said distractedly. "I mean.." he sighed. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not making much sense. You probably mean well with your questions, but I'm just not used to talking about my past. At all. I'm more used to taking action... Keeping my mind focused at the business at hand."
"So you can forget about remembering?" Revan asked with a smile.
"Maybe... I don't know." Carth drained his glass. "Let's just do what we're supposed to do. If you have more questions ask them later." Carth hoped she would forget, but he had a feeling that she wasn't the type to forget easily.
Revan glanced at the time and stood up. "I better get going then. I'll meet you back at the apartment once I have the uniforms. Don't try to spend all the credits, hmm?" she said in parting.
"I'm not an excessive spender." he grumbled to himself as he followed her lead. He had seen an equipment shop on the way here. Might as well see if they had anything useful.
###
Revan made a quick stop at an obscure clothing shop and bought some semi-nice clothes. She would have rather wore her customary Sith robes, but unfortunately they could only be made by the Star Forge... She frowned as her vision of what the Star Forge had supposedly done resurfaced. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing my robes are gone, she mused.
Checking her map Revan headed toward the lift to the Northern Section of the Upper City. As she approached, Revan noted two thugs pushing around an old man. She was about to walk by when she heard the name of the local crime lord, Davik Kang. Apparently the old man owed Davik some money.
Revan detested petty crime lords at best. But this petty crime lord was part of the Exchange. Revan drew her vibroblade and attacked the thugs. The first was down before the second noticed a vibroblade swinging towards his neck.
"Oh, thank you kind stranger!" the merchant said gratefully. "I should have listened to my wife when she said borrowing from a crime lord is bad business."
Revan ignored him and looted the thugs. Taking whatever of value was on them, she turned and said, "Now, give me your credits."
The merchant stared at her in disbelief. "Y-you're robbing me?"
"Think of it as payment for services rendered. Unless you want me to complete what they started?" Revan smiled warmly, but her eyes glinted coldly. The merchant blanched and shakily took out his credits, handing them to her.
"Pleasure doing business with you. And make sure you listen to your wife next time, she seems like a sensible woman." Revan said politely. She turned and continued on her way.
The old man stared after her, as soon as she was out of sight reaction set in and he sat down on the ground, staring at nothing in shock.
###
Carth walked out of Kebla Kurt's Equipment Emporium. Undoubtedly she had the best equipment shop in the Upper City, but it was sadly lacking. The Sith quarantine had severely limited what every store had to offer. Kebla had been grateful even for the few grenades Carth had purchased. At least he had been able to get some information about conditions in the Lower City.
Carth headed for the other end of Southern Upper Taris. Kebla had informed him of a medical facility run by a kindly healer by the name of Zelka Forn that didn't sell medical supplies at impossible prices.
Entering the facility Carth immediately noted the assistant. Carth had a gut feeling that he was one to stay away from. Further in Carth spotted an elderly man in white checking some equipment. Approaching he asked, "Zelka Forn?"
The medic looked up. "Yes? May I help you? Are you in need of healing? I can treat anything except the Rakghoul disease." Zelka asked, even though it was evident that the man was healthy.
"Rakghoul disease?" Carth asked, curious.
"It's a disease rampant in the Undercity." Zelka explained, "People who are infected turn into mindless monsters in a short time."
"Is there a cure somewhere?" Carth asked. Now they needed to be even more prepared if they were going to the Undercity.
"Well, there was a research center that claimed it was close to developing one, but the Sith took it over." Zelka said bitterly, "It's rumored that Sith patrols carry the serum with them when they go down. Those selfish.." Zelka suddenly snapped out of it. "I would appreciate it if you didn't repeat that." he said nervously. "Is there something you need?"
"I see. Well, I was told that you sell medical supplies without outrageous prices." Carth said with a slight smile. He liked this Zelka Forn already.
"Ah. Of course. Let me just get our inventory here.... It's not expensive, just enough to keep this facility operating..." Zelka went to his desk and rummaged around for the datapad. It had been some time that somebody wanted to actually purchase something since Zelka gave healing for free.
While waiting for Zelka to finish searching Carth let his eyes wander around. A small piece of metal wedged in between a set of doors caught his eye. Walking closer Carth breathed in sharply. The piece of metal was a Republic Rank insignia! Reaching down Carth tugged it free, triggering the door to open.
Carth stared though the open doorway at the bodies in the treatment tanks. "Hey! what are you doing there! That's a restricted area!" Carth turned to see Zelka rushing up to him, fear and nervousness in his eyes.
"I recognize these men! They're Republic soldiers." Carth told him, and waited for an explanation.
Zelka blinked. "You- you recognize them?" he asked hesitantly. Carth nodded. "Then you must be with the Republic!" Zelka said, relieved. "Ever since the battle overhead, people have been secretly bringing these men to me. I shudder to think what would the Sith do if they ever got their hands on these men. Or me if they find out..." Zelka shivered.
"Don't worry, Zelka. I'll never tell, your secret is safe with me." Carth assured him. "It's good to know these men ended up in compassionate hands. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Zelka relaxed. "No, I'm afraid not." he said sadly. "They are beyond anybody's ability to heal. All I can do now is make them comfortable." Carth nodded, feeling a pang in his heart. Zelka sighed. "But you didn't come here for these soldiers. I have our inventory, come this way." Zelka shut the door and led Carth to another room.
After purchasing some medpacks and giving some extra credits (under Zelka's protests) Carth started to make his way back to the abandoned apartment and wondering how Arcana was doing, when he spotted an old man sitting on the ground. He seemed to be sick.
Carth walked over and asked, "Hey, are you all right? There's a medical facility over there," Carth gestured, "I can help you there if you want...?"
The old man blinked and looked up at Carth. "No." he said numbly. "I'm not hurt. I'm just going to die when Davik doesn't get his money."
"Davik? You owe a crime lord money?" Carth asked. That was bad, criminals didn't like late payments.
"Yes." The old man continued. "Davik already sent two thugs to collect, but this young lady killed them and...and then robbed me!" He started to cry as his predicament finally hit home.
"Young lady?" Carth asked blankly. Against two thugs?
The old man described her. Carth just stared when he was done. That sounds like Arcana! No, it couldn't be... could it? Carth thought in shock. "How much do you owe Davik?" Carth finally asked.
"100 c-c-credits...." the old man sobbed. Carth counted out 120 credits and handed it to him. "W-what? You're just giving me 100 credits?" he asked in amazement.
"120." Carth corrected, "I don't like to see people lose their life over a few credits that were stolen from them." Carth added.
The old man stared at the credits, then impulsively hugged Carth in gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you! You've saved my life!" he rushed off to contact one of Davik's collectors.
Carth watched bemusedly. Then he frowned at the description the old man gave him. He couldn't ignore it. First she thinks going to a Sith party fun, then defends Darth Revan, now this. Carth thought.He would watch Arcana very, very, carefully. He would never be betrayed again. Never.
###
Darth Revan, soon-to-be-Dark-Lord-once-again, and future Ruler-of-the-Galaxy, was bored. There was no other word for it. You would think that Sith officers would find better entertainment than their own voices. Revan thought in irritation as Yun Genda lamented about the lack of opportunities for advancement in a stupid backwater planet like Taris.
Sarna, another officer, was sitting across the room complaining about a local who had leered at her and how she had 'disciplined' him. It would have been interesting if not for the fact that Sarna kept on repeating the story every 5 minutes. After the fourth retelling even her boyfriend was fed up.
At first Revan thought it would be an interesting night, it certainly had been for the first half hour. It had quickly palled with the repetitious noise (Revan refused to call it music at this point) and petty problems at the Sith base.
And there was the small fact that Revan was so far one of the more attractive females at the party. Most of the males who were unattached, and a few who were, kept on eyeing her, causing the females in turn to shun her. It would have been amusing if they left her alone, but the males had other plans. When Revan had got up to get a drink she was immediately followed by a jealous Nordo, who tried to pin her to the wall and kiss her. If it wasn't for Yun's timely intervention, Nordo would have been a smoking corpse on the floor with a dose of Force Lightning.
Enough of this. Revan thought. Turning to Yun she asked in a loud, simpering voice, "Is it true only Tarisians can handle Tarisian Ale?" Using the Force Revan reached out and gently prodded his desire to impress her and contempt for Tarisians. Hopefully her active Force use wouldn't be noticed.
Yun frowned. "Of course not!" he said in an arrogant manner, "That's just a rumor they started so they can keep it all to themselves! I'll prove it to you." he added. At his last words, Revan reached out and implanted competitiveness in the rest of the males.
"Here now Yun, ya know very well you canna handle it!" Nordo taunted and laughed, "Me, on th' other hand, can." he added with a leer. Revan smiled slightly, which only caused his leer to widen.
"Ha! You can only handle Alderaanian Ladies' Wine, Nordo!" another male officer said with a sneer.
Before everything could explode, Revan interjected smoothly with a touch of innocence, "Why don't you have a contest on who can handle the most Ale? I'm sure you tough men would be able to handle it. I don't think any ordinary woman could." she added, batting her lashes. She didn't need the Force to coax the females' outrage and contempt of her.
"If you're going to have a contest, count me in! It's not only men that can handle Tarisian Ale!" Sarna said, glaring at Revan. There were echoes of the same sentiment from the rest of the female officers.
"It's decided then! We'll have a contest!" Yun said, grinning. He was confident he could out-drink everyone. "We don't have duty tomorrow anyway."
And so it began. Within minutes, everyone was passed out on the floor. Revan casually got up and started rooting though the bedroom. Locating a locker, she found several Sith uniforms that had been thrown in. As she picked them apart and took one for herself and Onasi, something told her to dig deeper into it.
In doing so, she found a neatly folded black bundle at the bottom. Sith robes. Eyes widening in delight, she took it out. It was even made for a female, with a few adjustments it would fit her fine. Revan suddenly frowned. Whose was it? Certainly not one of those idiots sprawled on the floor. Stuffing it in her pack with the uniforms, she walked back out. Locating Yun in the mass of bodies, she roughly shook him.
"Wha? Whazzit?" he mumbled drunkenly.
"Whose apartment is this?" Revan asked.
"Berowngd ta Phrentsh Shi- Shilsasssss..." he said starting to nod off.
"Where is she now?" Revan asked, shaking him up again to make sure he didn't fall asleep.
"Dehd. Gov' dhint lhyk herr shwepin wiv Kh-" Revan had all the information she needed. She dropped Yun back down to the floor where he promptly curled up and went back to sleep.
Revan walked out and headed back to the apartment, wondering if Onasi had the wits to act like a Sith, or if those officers were a prime example, no wits at all. Revan smirked. Won't be hard for him then.
Did you read? Then please review!