T3 came in as they sat together and Saleairy got up, kneeling next to the droid. She looked him over for any damage from his journey and she found none.
"Are you all right?" T3 beeped. "Good. What did you find?" He loaded information into her datapad and she thanked him as he left.
"What did he find?" She sat on Carth's knees and read the datapad.
"Dammit Carth. Why is this going to be so difficult?" She said with a tone Carth hadn't heard before.
"What's wrong?"
"Revan's family is alive and well. Her father was a Republic officer and her brothers are active solders now. Apparently, they're hunting me. They wanted me dead ever since I ended the Mandalorian wars. They knew I would betray the Republic." She swallowed.
"Easy. They'll have heard that you've changed. Besides, you're Saleairy Cheran now, not Revan." She clenched her teeth.
"I'm still biologically related to these people who want me dead."
"You aren't Revan." Carth was angered.
"No, I'm not but I do carry a stunning likeness to her Carth. That puts all of us in danger just like it has this entire dammed crusade. Only now I know I'm a danger to you. I'll know that I'm responsible for whatever happens." She got off Carth's lap. "I didn't expect you to understand. If you knew me as Revan, you'd want to kill me now."
"How do you know what I would want? I knew what a monster you were as Revan. I knew what a saint Revan had been. And I know who you are now. You have no right to tell me I would want you dead." She stayed where she was, her back to Carth. She was tense to the point of pain and she clenched her fists. "I love you. I would've followed you to hell and back, but not as Revan. I didn't follow Revan. I follow Saleairy." HK interrupted Saleairy's comeback without knocking.
"Statement: Master, there is a lot of yelling coming from this room. Is there something you need killed?"
"Don't tempt me HK."
"Statement: Oh, Master is tempted. Could I make an argument as to the benefits of disposing of certain, inferior meatbags?"
"Be my guest." She was seething and Carth crossed his arms.
"Extrapolation: I have noticed that only Commander Onasi moves you to anger. You are moved to empathy," HK shuddered. "which disturbs me greatly, by your other companion meatbags, but never such anger as you are clearly exhibiting towards Commander Onasi."
"And?" Saleairy asked.
"Statement: Anger is only useful when you can express it in a violent, pugilistic manner Master, so why not put him out of your misery and allow me to express your anger? I would ever so much enjoy pleasing my Master in such a way."
"Saleairy-" Carth began.
"Condescending interruption: Do not further anger my Master, inferior organic meatbag. She is considering your survival and she is the only one who has a favorable opinion of you who could dissuade me from punishing you."
"That won't be necessary HK. The terror you inspire is very pleasing to me. Do you want any upgrades? I'm going to see about finding some vendors."
"Statement: Upgrades are always welcome Master. My circuits are quivering in anticipation. You are quite talented at choosing very effective upgrades."
"I try. Do you want to accompany me HK?"
"Proud statement: It thrills me to accompany my Master anywhere that I might dispose of her enemies." She chuckled and it was almost a growl. Carth didn't like it when her blood craving droids made her laugh.
"Hey Canderous, want to come with HK and I to do some weapon shopping?"
"Observation: I believe the Mandalorian meatbag is still recovering from a deep state of inebriation Master."
"All right. Makes sense." She walked into the hall, her droid following her with a strange childlike giddiness. Carth shook his head and didn't follow her.
"Statement: Perhaps you should ask the Cathar if she wishes to come along. She seems as if she would appreciate weaponry of such a exotic planet."
"Good idea." Saleairy needed to be away from Carth so she didn't end up stabbing his man feelings with a vibroblade of misunderstanding. Juhani was helpful because she knew when to be quiet and serene. Saleairy was also nervous about encountering the Shifter again, alone. She knocked on Juhani's door.
"Yes?" Juhani said through an open door.
"Do you want to go for a walk with me?" Saleairy asked. HK stood in the hallway and Juhani wondered if the shouts she'd heard were resulting in this walk.
"Certainly." Bastila peered at Saleairy and was invited. Bastila could be calming if she knew she needed to be.
HK walked a few paces behind them and Saleairy picked an easy pace. She didn't need to run.
"Statement: We appear to be approaching a slight incline Master. I would suggest caution."
"Thanks for the warning HK." HK kept walking and she swore he seemed smug with all her praise.
"He seems to be warming up a bit, doesn't he?" Bastila asked.
"Statement: If by warming up, you are implying I am becoming more amiable towards meatbags, than you are quite wrong. Master has proven that she is more than an average meatbag and I value serving her higher than I value most life forms." Saleairy chuckled.
"Hey, wait up! What's the big idea leaving me all alone with all the guys?" Mission was indignant.
"I'm sorry Mission. I figured you would take the opportunity to make some credits on Pazaak." Saleairy said.
"I'd rather spend credits with the girls than take them from the boys. It's more of a challenge to go shopping than taking some Republic solder's lunch creds."
"Isn't Canderous more of a tough mark?" Saleairy asked.
"He won't play with me." Mission pouted.
"He knows better." Juhani said.
"Statement: If there is other purchases to be made, could I suggest purchasing my upgrades first Master?"
"That's our first stop. We want to make sure you have access to the best weaponry to protect us HK." Bastila said.
"Smug statement: I am some what relieved that you do not rely on the Republic meatbag to protect you."
"I don't rely on Carth for anything." Saleairy said.
"Oooo. Someone touched a nerve. I've been counting, and you've saved his butt more than he's saved yours." Mission said.
"Statement: And my butt saving skills are the highest, right Master?"
"Certainly. Mostly because you don't mutter comments under your breath at me."
"Statement: I had noticed the inferior meatbag grumbling Master, do you wish me to silence him?"
"No. I probably won't ever ask you to harm him for real HK. I might ask you to scare him, but if anyone gets to inflict pain, it will be me." Saleairy said.
"Did you two have an argument?" Juhani asked.
"Observation: The Cathar is being very polite Master. It was quite obvious you two were experiencing a 'lovers quarrel'." She cursed Carth's booming voice and her aggravated vocal tones.
"Yes, we were arguing. He needs me to explain things to him and I couldn't do it right then without stabbing his feelings with a dull stick." Saleairy was exasperated.
"Query: By feelings, you mean-"
"I wouldn't literally have stabbed him."
"Statement: I wish you preface your poetic license with a warning that no meatbag will actually be harmed."
"I'll try to remember that." Saleairy said.
"What was it about?" Bastila asked. Saleairy didn't met Bastila's gray eyes.
"Revan's family is alive. They've wanted her dead since she left the wars. They're hunting her. It's going to be hard to explain to them that I'm Saleairy, not Revan."
"Indeed." Bastila said.
"Statement: Master, you have nothing to fear from a few blaster wielding maniacs."
"I don't want to hurt them if they come looking for Revan. That would only prove I've learned nothing." Saleairy said.
"Perhaps-" Juhani began.
"Statement: It is clear that this topic of conversation is upsetting my Master so I shall only ask once that this topic is aborted." Saleairy laughed.
"He's more protective than Carth, but not nearly as annoying."
"Where do we want to go shopping?" Mission asked.
"Statement: There is only one city and it is just past the 'local authorities' we visited previously Master. There are few stores, mostly small shops. There is one dress shop that may interest you since you're having yet another ceremony soon. There is also a small restaurant near the droid upgrade shop."
"Good. How far is it?"
"Statement: A few more moments Master."
"Can we pick your dress this time Saleairy?" Mission asked
"I haven't worn a dress to any of the ceremonies, why would I start now?"
"Dustil will be there and I'm sure Carth would appreciate it." Juhani said.
"I suppose you're right." She sighed. She never really knew what color she looked good in or what Carth would like or what she would like. She was good at lucky guesses.
The droid vendor was very impressed by HK and HK condescended to show off a little, posing as Saleairy picked out a few attachments. She paid for them and installed the new plating and flamethrower.
"You use your flamethrowers a lot." She bought a couple extras.
"Statement: They are my favorite next to grenades Master." She chuckled and they walked to the restaurant.
They ate a quiet meal and HK stood near their table, very alert to any chance to test his new upgrades. Saleairy listened to the women chatter and wondered if she'd had sisters like them. She let the pain dull her attachment to the world for a long moment and sighed.
"Are you all right Saleairy?" Bastila asked.
"I'll be fine. Are we ready to move on to some dress shopping? If I have to wear a dress, you all do too." Saleairy said.
"Objection: How would I torch your enemies wearing a dress Master?"
"You don't need a dress HK." Saleairy chuckled at the droid and the walked towards the dress shop.
Mission chose a red dress for Saleairy and Saleairy tried it on. It was tight but she could still move around in it.
"That's your color." Mission said. HK stood nearby the dressing room mirrors and commented.
"Observation: Indeed Master, you carry the color almost as well as I do."
They bought dresses and HK carried them on the walk to the hotel. Saleairy wasn't as tense or agitated and she whistled.
"You're in a better mood." Mission said.
"Yeah, I just needed a walk to calm down. We should go have dinner now. Our friends have probably been complaining about our absence." Saleairy said.
"I was under the impression they would enjoy not having any females around for a while." Juhani said.
"What do they do when we aren't there to entertain them?" Mission asked.
"I don't think any of us really want to know." Saleairy said.
"Saleairy!" Bastila scolded.
"What? I didn't imply anything. You thought what ever you thought by yourself." Saleairy said, smiling.
"Hello beautiful." Carth's voice was edged with something strange and they weren't anywhere near the hotel. No one could see Carth.
"Be careful. Mission, HK, run now." Saleairy said. She knew it wasn't Carth.
"But-"
"Statement: Master-"
"Now." They ran off.
"What is it?" Juhani asked.
"It's a Shifter." Dustil appeared right in front of Saleairy.
"I'm a Shifter. Indeed. How astute." He smiled. He reached to touch Saleairy and she stepped away.
"Do not touch me. Why are you here?" He smiled and hissed, almost purred his next words. "It's a family reunion."