Chapter 3

Someone's Gotta Have Your Back

Disclaimer: If you guessed that they're still not mine, give yourself a prize.

Summary: Doing a favor for Atton gives Bao-Dur something to think about.

"Got a minute?"

Bao-Dur tensed. He remembered well what had happened the last time Atton had asked him that. He was in no mood to discuss the General's love life again. "What do you need?"

"I need a favor." Atton stood next to the workbench, his arms crossed defensively. Clearly he did not like having to ask someone for help.

"With what?" Bao-Dur asked. He tried not to stare at the pilot's Jedi robes -- it was still a bit strange to see Atton wearing them.

"I need you to stand guard," Atton said.

This got Bao-Dur's full attention. He set down his tools. "Stand guard? What are you planning on doing that you need me to stand guard?"

"Talk to Kreia," Atton said.

"Oh," Bao-Dur said. He frowned. "Why do you need to talk to Kreia?"

"I just do," Atton said. He fidgeted, fussing at his hair. "There's some…unfinished business between her and I. And I'd like someone to be there in case…things go badly."

"What exactly are you planning to do?" Bao-Dur asked. "I hope you're not expecting me to jump in and save the day. If things 'go badly' as you put it, what can I do? Zap her with my Force pike?"

Atton rolled his eyes. "Just come on. All you need to do is stand in the hall. And be ready."

Reluctantly, Bao-Dur followed him through the ship. They had left Nar Shaddaa almost an hour ago. The General was alone in her quarters, supposedly resting. He suspected she was fretting about the fiasco on Goto's yacht, however. She would not be happy that she had allowed herself to be captured – and by a droid, of all things.

When they neared Kreia's quarters, Atton paused. "Look," he said, "you're probably going to hear some things that won't make any sense. Just do me a favor--"

"Another one?" Bao-Dur interrupted, unable to keep himself from smiling as he said it.

"Yeah," Atton said, apparently seeing no humor in this. "Just don't ask, all right? She knows, and that's all you need to know."

"Sure," Bao-Dur said. He had no idea what Atton was talking about, but he knew the General trusted the pilot, and that was good enough for him.

Atton took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." He rounded the curve in the hallway, and entered Kreia's quarters.

It started out all right, and for about five seconds Bao-Dur thought things would stay that way. Then Atton raised his voice. "Yeah, so no more of your threats, no more of your 'requests.' You and me, we're done."

Bao-Dur tensed. He had not known that Kreia had been threatening Atton. He did not like to hear that. It made him wonder what kind of things the old woman had been saying to the General. He was not sure he liked the way the General listened to Kreia. She was too manipulative, and her heart was too dark. Sometimes he thought she was more a Sith than any real Jedi.

"Did you ever think I truly held you?" Kreia's voice dripped contempt. "You are more of a fool than I thought. What truly held you was you. And let me show you why."

Bao-Dur reached for his blaster. He was not at all sure he could stop her if she chose to strike at Atton, but he was willing to try. After all, Atton was one of his crewmates, one of his companions. He could not stand aside and let Kreia – or anyone – hurt someone he traveled with.

It was like being a soldier all over again. Like Serroco, and Dxun, and Malachor. You always protected the one who fought beside you. You always had their back.

Certainly he would do anything for the General. She had earned his complete trust and respect. If she asked him to lay down his life for her, he would do it without question.

Since Malachor he had been alone a lot, maybe too much. Traveling with companions again had been a major adjustment. When he had walked along that Telosian beach with Atton and the General, he had wondered if he had made a serious mistake by casting his lot with them. He was there to stop Czerka, and help the restoration efforts. Getting involved again had been the last thing he had ever wanted.

Yet despite himself, he had remained by the General's side. And somehow he had become part of a team. He genuinely liked Atton, and he had come to respect the pilot. Likewise, he had nothing but respect for the Disciple, who had proven himself to be a solid soldier in the heat of battle, and a good man outside of it. Kreia could take care of herself, and he had learned early on to stay out of her way. He did not know Mira very well; she had only been with them since their departure from Nar Shaddaa. And that left Visas.

Strange to think that he would protect a Sith. But he could not lie to himself. If Visas' life were threatened, he would do what he could to help her. She was one of them now. She was someone worth saving.

He became aware that Kreia was still talking, that her voice was steadily rising. "Or perhaps you will continue to listen to my counsel," she said now. "And I shall ignore your pathetic attempts at freedom."

This did not sound like it was going well at all. Cautiously, Bao-Dur drew his blaster. He eased forward, the better to hear what was going on in Kreia's room.

"Now leave me, murderer. I have nothing further to say to one such as you." If it were possible for words to kill, Kreia's departing command would have left slain even a ronto beast.

Quickly Bao-Dur moved back through the corridor. He did not stop until he reached the garage. If Kreia knew he had been standing outside her room, she would make his life miserable. And then he would be the one forced to endure her veiled threats.

Atton was not far behind. His expression was murderous. "I suppose you heard all that?"

"Actually, no," Bao-Dur said. He had promised he would not ask any questions -- murderer? -- even if he was unsettled by what little he had heard. "I was mostly listening for the sounds of battle."

Atton peered at him, trying to decide if he was telling the truth. After a long moment, the pilot relaxed a little. "That old schutta. One of these days, I'm gonna space her." One hand tapped angrily on the hilt of his new lightsaber; Bao-Dur doubted he knew he was doing it.

"Be careful," he said. "You don't want anyone to hear that."

"Who's gonna hear?" Atton said. He leaned against the workbench, half-sitting on it. "Your General is meditating with the Disciple." He managed to say this without sounding too bitter, which was a definite improvement from the past few days. "That bounty hunter is still hiding in the room with the broken assassin droid. And Visas never even leaves her room."

That's not true, Bao-Dur thought. But he kept his mouth closed. Oddly enough, he didn't want anyone else to know that Visas left her room so she could talk to him. It was a secret they shared.

"But hey, thanks for your help." Atton stood up. "Guess I better go make myself useful in the cockpit or something."

"Anytime," Bao-Dur said. He watched Atton walk out.

He waited a few minutes, then made his way to Visas' room. She was sitting on the floor, not meditating, but apparently waiting for him. "Something has happened," she said.

"I'm not sure," he replied. He had missed something crucial in the conversation between Kreia and Atton. Murderer, Kreia had called him. There was a story in that single word, he was sure of it.

"You must be careful around the old woman," Visas said. "She will do you harm, if it means furthering her cause."

Bao-Dur believed her. He would have believed her even if he had not just heard Kreia threatening Atton.

"I would not let her harm anyone," he said. "Not if I could stop her."

"You could not stop her," Visas said. "I doubt any of us could, except perhaps the Exile." She dropped her gaze, so he could barely see her face. "But I thank you for your words."

"I mean them," Bao-Dur said. From what little he knew about her, she had lived a hard life since the destruction of her homeworld. He wanted her to know that things would be all right now. It seemed important that she know.

"I know that," Visas said. "And I am thankful."

Having told her, there was nothing left to say. He turned to go, when her voice stopped him.

"Stay. Please."

He turned around. She was still sitting down, but her posture was tense. "Your presence soothes me, helps me meditate," she said. Beneath the veil covering her eyes, faint color stained her cheeks.

The Ebon Hawk was always in need of repair, and he had promised G0-T0 that he would look at the droid's systems. Bao-Dur thought of all the things demanding his time, and made a deliberate decision to put them aside. Right now he was going to do something he wanted to do, instead of something he had to do.

"I will stay," he said, "if you want."

"That is what I want," Visas said.

Bao-Dur sat down across from her.

Author's Notes: Again, a big thank-you to everyone who has been kind enough to review. I'm starting to get ideas for how this story will end, which is usually a sign that I'm on the right track. These ideas are based on the material cut from the game, which I hope to include, if possible.