I'll probably get the next chapter done so I can post it tomorrow. In the meantime, there's this one. Thank you for your kind reviews, they really do help when writing. I hope you like this chapter :D
Chapter 2 – Centaris
Dag smiled slightly coming up behind Arthur who was crouched over a star map near the flight controls of the small Republic transport. The blue light created an odd glow on his face. "Are you sure you want that one to fly?" the tall knight asked in a light tone, glancing at Lance who sat at the controls.
The curly haired man rolled his eyes and Arthur smiled a little. "Better him than me, right?" he quipped, looking up at Dag for a moment. "Where is your Padawan?"
"Re-checking the supplies," Dag answered.
Arthur nodded, "Good. Can you get the others on the comlink?"
There was a soft beep before the familiar voice of Bors greeted them, What do ya need; Lance causing trouble yet?>>
Lance sighed in fake exasperation and rolled his eyes again, "You're just jealous that I can still out fly and out fight you."
On the other end of the connection Bors laughed. Arthur shook his head in amusement – he had missed this very much. "The Archives said that the Pendragon clan controls three planets in this system – Ventooine, Pzob and Centaris. Both Ventooine and Centaris are Republic outposts and apparently their old owners want them back," Arthur explained with his voice carrying across the link, before touching the map screen and bringing up a planet readout. "That's why we brought two ships. The four of you will go to Ventooine and we will stay on Centaris."
Right, sounds easy enough,>> Gawain replied.
"No matter how easy it may seem, be on your guard always," Arthur said, "We'll be in contact."
Lucan looked from behind Lance's pilot chair as they flew down to land on the planet. He was a curious boy, part of the reason Dagonet chose him as his first Padawan. His eyes were bright as he surveyed the new world before him. Centaris was a planet seemingly untouched by much of the civilization of the inner workings of the galaxy. There were no tall buildings and massive cities. Instead there were forests and mountains, streams and green grass. Everything was green, except for the snow decorating the tips of the mountains. It was the most beautiful place that Lucan had ever seen.
They slowed down as Lance brought them near the outpost. It looked rather out of place on technologically secluded Centaris. In fact, it almost made Lance wonder why at all they would need the assistance of Jedi at all if the outpost had a higher technology and weapons. But, things may not be as they appear and they would have to find out.
"Arthur," Lance called softly, glancing toward the back of the ship as they neared the landing bay. "We're here," the knight said once the other man came forward to stand on his other side.
"Good," Arthur replied after they received permission to land, "Take us down."
Guards bearing the sign of the Republic greeted them once they left the ship. The four hooded figures were escorted inside the metallic outpost. From the beautiful forests and grasslands into the harsh and artificially lit corridors of the outpost was quite a change, and a rather disappointing one.
"Welcome, Master Jedi, the last transmission from the Courscant said to expect you soon and here you are," the slightly older man in security force officer's uniform said, seeming slightly uncomfortable with their presence, "My name is Germanius, I am in charge of the security forces on Centaris and Ventooine."
Arthur nodded simply, before he and the others took down their hoods, "I am Arthur Castus. This is Lancelot Duluk, Dagonet and his Padawan Lucan." He paused for a moment, glancing around the control room of the outpost where they now stood, "The Council has informed us of your problems with the local inhabitance. I would like to speak with you further on this matter, but first, I would like to take a look around," Arthur smiled briefly. In truth, something felt off; there was something here that didn't feel right and made him on edge. He could tell Lance sensed it too, but for some reason he couldn't gather what it was.
"Yes, yes, of course Master Jedi," Germanius said with a smile that reminded them too much of a weaseling politician. "This outpost and these men are at your disposal while you are here."
Arthur opened his eyes in the dark. He didn't wake suddenly or with a jolt, but calmly. However, the visions and dreams still in his mind; haunting him. Slowly, he got up, not bothering to put on his tunic – it was a warm night. There was generated cooling system, as they found this outpost was quite primitive even for Republic standards, much like the planet it was on. However, the planetary primitive state seemed to fit, but the outpost..didn't. Outside it was cooler, and the breeze from on top of the stone wall that was obviously not built by the security forces, felt good on his bare skin.
From the other sleepcouch in the room, Lance watched his friend leave. He waited a few moments before quietly going after him. There was no surprise when he found Arthur on top of the wall, staring out into the forest.
For a long time, Lance stood watching his friend. He knew that he had changed after he returned to the Temple after being a slave for five years. He knew that his friends looked at him differently as well. Some things could never be brought back the way they were. And he hated to see something similar happen to Arthur.
The younger man's eyes traced the scar down Arthur's back that the bacta had healed, but not completely erased. Same with the scar on his face. Slowly he brought his gaze down to the bare mechanical left leg visible now only because of the knee-length short pants Arthur wore when training, which he had done before bed to clear his thoughts. Apparently it hadn't helped ward off the nightmares that hadn't gone away the whole week that they had been on Centaris.
"Are you all right?" Lance asked at last, walking closer to stand next to Arthur.
The other nodded, not at all surprised by his friend's presence.
"Look, Arthur," he started, running a hand through his curly hair with a sigh, "I know that they already ran you through the gauntlet of Soul Healers and everything. I know exactly what that's like. You're probably tired of hearing it, but, I'm here if you need to talk."
There was no response for a long moment, Arthur continued to look out into the darkness. Lancelot turned away and was about to head back to the room when Arthur finally spoke. "Something doesn't feel right here."
"I've felt it too. It's just the conflict with the people here."
Arthur shook his head, "There's something else; something dangerous."
"I've felt nothing else, Arthur," Lance said softly with another sigh, "I know you lost your Master, but-.."
"I didn't loose my Master," the other man snapped, turning to look at his friend with coldness in his grey eyes, "If they told you that's what happened, then they're wrong. How do you think I lost my leg? He cut it off! He turned Lancelot, my Master turned to the Darkside."
Lance dropped his gaze to the stone wall beneath their bare feet. "I'm sorry, Arthur," he said softly.
"No…I'm sorry, Lance, I shouldn't have snapped at you," Arthur sighed, looking out at the trees once more.
"If you do sense something that we don't, then we will be on our guard," the younger knight said after a few moments, "We haven't yet seen any of the resistance, and I admit that that in itself is strange."
Arthur nodded again. "We will see them soon."
"Good, I was beginning to think we might have a boring mission." They both smiled a little. "I'll leave you to your meditation," Lance said at last and turned to leave. He paused a moment; his sight lingering on the signs of a battle between Arthur and the man who had acted as his father for most of his life. With a silent sigh, Lance walked back to the room.
But Arthur stayed on top of the wall. Something drew his attention, and though he could not see it on his own, he could feel the pair of eyes watching him from the darkness of the trees.