Disclaimer: Me no own this. Any of it. I do call dibs on the name Alaanis Pi though. Nyah nyah!
Constant pre-apology: Me no have a beta reader. Me need one. Please help! So, because of this lack of beta reader, sorry if there are mistakes. I tried. –runs off and cries-
XxXxX
Chapter Fourteen: Wookie Ways
On the fourth day of their journey in the Shadowlands of Kashyyyk, Alaanis Pi, Bastila Shan and Juhani finally arrived to where Jolee Bindo declared the Star Map was.
"I've tried to get access to it before, just a few times, but it never let me through," Jolee informed the three as they walked towards a giant computer. It looked ancient, vines intertwining themselves around it. As Alaanis walked up closer to the computer, a strange creature appeared, speaking a language similar to the language the droid on Dantooine had used.
":Scanning…:" the hologram of the strange creature said.
"Now what's a computer on Kashyyyk speaking an ancient form of Selkath for?" Bastila asked a bit surprised. "First Dantooine and now here. It's just strange."
Jolee stared at the hologram with a look of distaste. "It's going to scan you and then reject you just like it rejected me…" the old man continued muttering. Alaanis snickered.
":Lifeform recognized, access granted:" the hologram declared.
"What!" Jolee exclaimed. Alaanis missed it as she confusedly looked at the hologram, but Bastila and Jolee exchanged a look like it explained everything. Juhani, on the other hand, caught it, and made a mental note to observe the two more closely in the future.
"Um… yeah, I was expecting that," Alaanis told the computer in a less than convincing voice. It was obviously sarcasm. But the hologram didn't pick up sarcasm.
":Subject declares remembrance. Access to all files granted:" the hologram added. That was rather convenient, Alaanis thought to herself. She was thinking of asking why the computer granted her access, but knew better to ask the computer because it might shut her out and prevent them from recovering the Star Map. Maybe Bastila knew…
"How many people have tried to access your files?" Alaanis asked the computer.
":The creature Freyyr attempted seven times. The creature Jolee Bindo attempted one hundred and thirty four times.:" Alaanis gave Jolee a look. The old man chuckled nervously. "An old man gets bored sometimes."
Something clicked in Alaanis' mind. "Jolee… you've been down here twenty years. Revan and Malak… they must've come down at some point while you were down here. Did you ever meet them?"
Jolee looked a little nervous at being asked the question. "Um…" he began. He decided to be honest. "I met them. Revan was a fine lass and Malak was very faithful to her. She was quite bright. He was a rather good natured man back then. This was four years ago, just before their 'fall to the dark side'. Light, dark, it doesn't matter to me really. The jedi just try and make everything extremes. They can't accept that some people are in between…"
"So you did meet them?" Alaanis asked him, trying to get him back onto the question she had popped. Jolee nodded.
"I did indeed," he answered. "But it was a short conversation. They didn't stick around for long though. Just met them passing. No, I don't know any secrets about Dark Lords or anything, now I think we better get that Star Map and head back. It'll take a couple days."
"Right," Alaanis muttered turning back to the computer. "But I want to ask it a few more questions. Do you have any memory of something called a Star Forge? Or the location of said subject?"
":Error… no memory of 'Star Forge':" the hologram said. Alaanis cursed simply.
"How long have you been down here?" she asked the hologram.
":According to planetary rotations, approximately 29,814 years:" the hologram answered plainly. Alaanis' wasn't the only jaw that dropped.
"That updates the Republic by almost ten thousand years!" Bastila exclaimed. "It outdates the history of the Wookies on this planet! And the trees!"
":According to original reports, this planet was insufficient for living organics:" the hologram cut in.
Alaanis eyed the computer curiously. "Perhaps this computer is the reason the trees are so tall. It created them. And the Wookies!" The others stared at her, Bastila with contemplation, Juhani with curiosity and Jolee with an odd look.
Jolee shook his head. "A computer sprouting little hairy babies seems like a bit of a strange image."
"There is more than one way to influence the growth of a planet," Juhani shrugged. "Perhaps the computer affected the climate, and made the planet livable from there. If this planet was created by whatever species this creature here in the hologram is, then its not surprising that they would plant a Star Map on it."
"Well, I'm out of questions," Alaanis mumbled. "Permission to access Star Map?"
":Permission will be granted… but first you must pass either the physical or verbal test laid by my creator. Only the passers will be granted access to the Star Map:" the hologram declared. ":If you are truly the lifeform I recognized, you will be able to pass these tests.:"
"Oh come on!" Alaanis shouted.
She sighed. "Physical test," she decided. Soon enough three spider droids appeared out of the back of the large computer. All four jedi ignited their lightsabers, prepared to fight the droids. It only took about three minutes before the droids were destroyed. They were much like the ones on Dantooine, but with seven lightsabers flying every which way it was a much easier fight.
":Subject has passed the physical test. Access to Star Map granted. Shutting down…:" the hologram ended and next to the computer, an object identical to the pyramid shaped Star Map on Dantooine opened up, revealing the second Star Map. It looked much like the other Star Map, except this one seemed to have a different piece missing.
"I guess the long shot came through," Bastila said in awe as she saw the Star Map. Alaanis was copying the information into her journal. Juhani was making a copy in a spare datapad.
A moment of silence passed before anybody wanted to suggest they get moving again. Jolee and Bastila opened their mouths at the same time to say something, but both were interrupted by a howl of pain, obviously caused by a Wookie. The four jedi exchanged glances before all ran in the direction of the howl.
The source was found quickly enough, an eighth of a mile away where a Wookie was lying on the ground clutching its right side tightly. The Wookie's brown fur was matted with blood. Around him lay three other dead Wookies
":Please outsider, could you spare me a moment of medical assistance:" the Wookie begged them, pointing a furry paw towards a large gash in his chest. It was surrounded by many smaller cuts, some on his left arm and one nasty cut on his face.
"Lie still," Juhani instructed him. The Wookie complied, still howling quietly. The Cathar closed her eyes as she leaned down next to him and Alaanis could feel her through the force calling on the force to heal the Wookie's injuries. Soon enough, his cuts were mending themselves together and the bleeding stopped.
":Thank you outsider:" the Wookie woofed at Juhani as they both stood up. ":I was attacked by vicious outsiders, heavily armed and armored and they attacked us when we were beginning to make camp for the night. After we laid down our weapons. They were cowards.:"
"They were wearing full body armor?" Alaanis asked the Wookie. He nodded a reply. "They sound like Mandalorians. Like the ones on Dantooine."
":Be careful outsider, most of my hunting party was killing by them:" the Wookie warned the four jedi. ":They were invisible, and then appeared out of nothing and attacked us.:"
Alaanis exchanged glances with her companions. "Thanks for the warning. We'll try and reason with them, or fight them if we have to. Are you well enough to climb?" The Wookie nodded and thanked them as he began climbing up the nearest tree.
"Lucky Wookies… they can climb these gigantic trees. They make it look so easy," Alaanis muttered.
"If there are Mandalorians down here we are going to have to be very careful," Bastila declared. She looked a bit nervous at the prospect of Mandalorians.
"We'll just deal with it if it comes," Alaanis decided. "Come on, it's late we should make camp."
Bastila's eyes bugged out of her head. "Are you crazy? The Wookies were attacked right here! And you're saying we do the same thing? Get murdered making camp?"
Bastila! I have a plan! Don't you trust me at all? Alaanis sent through the force bond the two women shared.
Why don't you share it aloud then? Bastila growled back.
Because the Mandalorians could be right here, Alaanis answered obviously. She rolled her blue eyes while Bastila's brown ones narrowed. We'll pretend to not have our weapons out and then when they attack us, we'll turn the tables on them. Just stay on guard.
This better work.
Alaanis winked at Jolee who seemed to understand what Alaanis was thinking easily. Juhani looked a bit confused but Bastila gave the Cathar a look that plainly said 'stay on guard' and the latter understood. Alaanis dropped her oversized bag and began setting up the small tent they had been using. Bastila began making a fire.
It was obvious the Mandalorians were there when Alaanis heard a small stick making an even smaller cracking sound not far from her. Juhani heard light footsteps, and Bastila and Jolee exchanged glances when they both heard them as well. All four jedi ignited their lightsabers and turned around quickly, deflecting blaster fire that was being shot at them at that instant.
There were eight Mandalorians; five of them were rushing forward with vibroblades in hand while three others were shooting at the jedi with their repeaters.
"Jedi!" one of them hissed as they saw the lightsabers. It would be the last thing he said.
The Mandalorians were skilled, but they were no match for the four skilled jedi they were facing. While Bastila fought off two at once with her double bladed lightsaber, Jolee was dueling with one of the more experienced Mandalorians. It took a good fifteen minutes, but the eight Mandalorians were crushed by the jedi.
But more were coming. In total, there were probably thirty Mandalorians. The first eight had been the less able ones, Alaanis decided after a half an hour of fighting. She had some nasty scrapes on her left leg, and her face was whelped by one Mandalorian's fist, leaving a large bruise on her right cheek with a small cut at her chin.
Jolee was probably fairing the best of the four with no major injuries and fighting off two Mandalorians now with his sabers, easily cutting off one of the two's arms and then stabbing him in the chest. He got at the second Mandalorian a bit tougher, being parried at every blow, but eventually the Mandalorian was chopping in half by the green sabers.
Juhani was also doing fairly well, fiercely outrunning the Mandalorians, as one chased after her, running at a top speed, she stopped, did a back flip and landed behind the Mandalorian in time to stab him in the back with her blue sabers. She did have a cut across her face, as if she had been whipped there. Bastila's left side was slightly beat up, having been pushed into a tree by one of the Mandalorians.
Somehow Bastila and Alaanis ended up back to back.
Flip over me! Bastila commanded through the force bond. Alaanis obeyed and during a break in the Mandalorian she was facing, flipped over Bastila and landed her lightsaber right by the Mandalorian's neck. With little hesitation she decapitated him.
Bastila had taken over Alaanis' opponent and was about to do the same move to the Mandalorian, but was knocked off balance when the Mandalorian leaned forward and Bastila rolled onto his back. Somehow during the tumble though, her double bladed saber stuck itself into the Mandalorian's back and with a last scream he died.
Soon enough four Mandalorians were the only ones left. "You disrupted our little hunting party!" the leader called, laughing a bit. "But you're no match for us. We're elite Mandalorian soldiers!"
"Jedi or not we will gut you easily enough," one of his comrades threatened.
"I highly doubt that!" Alaanis yelled back, raising her violet saber high into the air. "Surrender or we have no choice left."
"Surrender?" the leader laughed. "Yeah, right." And with that he lifted his repeater and aimed right for Alaanis. The first shot she blocked with some difficulty and the second one she dodged by a hair, but the third knocked right into her side… knocking her back into unconsciousness.
Her last conscious thought was something along the lines of 'that damn old wound'.
XxXxX
"She's still unconscious? It's been two days!" Juhani's surprised voice broke into Alaanis' just awakening mind.
"Wait, I think she's awake," Jolee announced. "About time…"
"I wonder why she's always knocked unconscious from that old injury," Bastila mused.
"Old injury?" Jolee asked curiously.
"She got it back on Taris in the dueling ring. I think it was a poisonous blade, leaving behind an unstable injury. She didn't get the proper medical attention at the time. Then she got shot in the same wound a day later by the sith, reopening the wound. It knocked her unconscious. The jedi healer on Dantooine said it'll scar and perhaps in a few months it'll be healed fully, but the scar will always be there."
"Poisonous blade you think?"
"Carth thought so. He was with her when she got the injury. He'd have expected foul play in the dueling rings, whether or not she'd have gotten injured."
Alaanis finally opened her eyes and saw around her that they were located in Jolee's hut and she was lying on his couch. Juhani was sitting in a chair next to the couch, sipping some of Alaanis' caffa while Bastila and Jolee were talking behind the couch.
"Good morning," Juhani greeted Alaanis as the latter attempted to sit up. After a moment's struggle she managed to sit up. Bastila walked over to where Alaanis was half sitting, half lying down and leaned down into the second chair.
"We're meeting Growwleyr tomorrow," Bastila informed the older woman. "Jolee ended up carrying you on our travel back here. Glad to see that you're awake now. Juhani healed you up pretty quickly, but we couldn't wake you up."
"Well, I'm up now," Alaanis said with a slight bit of cheer. Her side had a slight pain in it, but it was feeling better. "I'm guessing you guys took care of those Mandalorians pretty easily?"
Juhani smiled. "Yes, they were no challenge. They were cowards." She handed one of Alaanis' caffa mugs to its owner.
"Canderous would agree with you," Alaanis pointed out as she accepted the mug with a grateful smile. The room grew deathly quiet for a second. "Oh come on you guys, despite the fact that neither or you get along with him, that doesn't mean you have to pretend he doesn't exist."
Bastila and Juhani remained silent. Alaanis groaned. "Bastila you remember him on Dantooine. Those Mandalorians there. You should be glad he's not like these Mandalorians we've come across, and is better than that. I respect him." The two younger jedi didn't say anything, but both avoided looking at anyone.
"I say a change of subject is in order," Jolee announced as he sat on a third chair in the room. "I was wondering if I'd be welcome to tag along with you younglings on your little quest."
"What if we said no?" Alaanis challenged him.
Jolee grunted. "I asked for your welcome, not your permission. I could stowaway on your ship if you didn't want me along! Rejecting an old man's wishes. Muck! Disrespectful!"
"Relax Jolee, we didn't say no," Alaanis smirked. "Why not? But why would you want to come along anyways?"
The old man gave her a look. "I've spent twenty years here! On a planet full of walking carpets and really, really tall trees! You think this is where I wanted to spend the rest of my life? Wrong! Just because I'm old doesn't mean that I don't get to go on adventures! That's biased! I've been on my share of adventures, but I'm far from done."
"Alright, alright!" Alaanis exclaimed. "I guess there's not harm in you coming. Welcome aboard the Ebon Hawk… well… when we get back to the Ebon Hawk. Good to have you aboard old man." Alaanis threw him a cocky grin. Jolee grumbled.
XxXxX
The next day, shortly after waking up, Jolee gathered everything of importance (and some good food considering the slosh the Ebon Hawk processed) and the four jedi left Jolee's hut.
"Who knows? You could wind up back here one day," Alaanis pointed out. Jolee mumbled something about smartass whippersnappers. Alaanis had no idea what she had done to be a smartass, but it was Jolee's problem, not hers.
It seemed like no time, probably with the lack of katarn attacks, before Alaanis, Juhani, Bastila and Jolee all showed up by the basket where Growwleyr was waiting for them. They walked into the basket soundlessly, and during the two day trip back to the treetops of Kashyyyk, nobody said anything. It was very quiet, obviously, but the basket trip seemed much quicker this time.
Perhaps it was the anticipation of the coming confrontation between Freyyr and Chuundar that was inevitable. It would be one interesting family reunion, considering that Zaalbar would be there as well. But how would they get Zaalbar now if Chuundar won? They hadn't killed Freyyr.
As soon as the four jedi and Growwleyr arrived at the village, a Wookie messenger had arrived for the jedi.
":Outsiders! You must come quickly! Freyyr has returned to the village. He says that you helped him retrieve Bacca's blade! I do not respect Chuundar, I withhold that respect for Freyyr. If he is telling the truth, then I suppose I respect you outsiders as well.:" the Wookie announced.
"What's happening? Is Freyyr with Chuundar?" Alaanis asked. The Wookie growled an affirmative. "Lead us on."
Running quickly along the Great Walkway, the four jedi and the Wookie messenger hurried to the Wookie village and to the cheiftain's hut. It was much more crowded this time, with Chuundar, Zaalbar (still cuffed), six Wookies loyal to Chuundar, two Czerka guards, Freyyr, and six Wookies loyal to Freyyr.
Along the way though, Alaanis had seen that the battle wasn't taking place just in this hut. Many Wookies were arguing, and a few were outright fighting, over who should rightly rule their village as chieftain: Freyyr or Chuundar.
":You betrayed me outsiders:" Chuundar roared as the four jedi entered the hut. Alaanis' eyes were narrowed with anger and Juhani's with disgust. Jolee's face was dripping with annoyance and Bastila's betrayed no emotions. Alaanis knew that she was reciting the code in her mind; she could hear it through the force bond.
"No, I just decided that I wouldn't do what you asked, but instead what was right," Alaanis spat.
"You sell your own species to Czerka as slaves!" Juhani yelled. "You think of yourself before your people, and you are corrupt! You are not worthy to be a leader!"
Chuundar's eyes narrowed considerably. ":You do not judge me, the mighty Chuundar, you disgraceful outsider:" He turned towards Alaanis. ":If you call off this crazed Wookie, I will return the madclaw to you unharmed.:"
":I am not crazed with anything but anger that my own son could betray his people:" Freyyr growled. He gripped his sword tightly in his hand. ":I do not want to fight you son, but if you insist, I suppose I will.:"
"Zaalbar, convince your brother and father to get along!" Alaanis called to the quiet Wookie desperately.
Zaalbar looked helpless as he stared between his father and brother. Then he let loose an almighty roar. ":Both of you stop fighting! We are family, why must we fight? Chuundar, despite what you try and explain to me, I see selling us Wookies to Czerka as wrong. Why can't you just let go of your power? Why must you drive off your competition, by provoking me and naming father as a madclaw? I am ashamed to admit that I, myself, am a madclaw, but father is not! You disgrace him with your accusations:"
Chuundar growled menacingly. ":I will not rest until both of you are dead and gone:" And with that the battle began. All hope was lost of convincing the Wookie otherwise as he aimed his bowcaster right at Alaanis.
Dodging Chuundar's wild shot blinded by rage, Alaanis first cut Zaalbar loose and handed him her vibroswords. Quickly enough, Alaanis had fallen one of Chuundar's loyal Wookies while Chuundar murdered one of Freyyr's loyal Wookies. Jolee went to work on the Czerka guards with ease, and Freyyr's Wookies went to battle with Chuundar's. Freyyr himself was locked into a duel with Chuundar, and neither was faltering anytime soon. Zaalbar sliced up one of Chuundar's Wookies and Bastila and Juhani teamed up on another of Chuundar's Wookies. Chuundar slipped away from Freyyr and killed one of Freyyr's Wookies.
Alaanis felt the battle upon her as she sliced her lightsaber through the arm of one of the Wookies loyal to Chuundar. Battle rage was upon her. And this frightened her.
Why must I be angry when I fight? Alaanis thought to herself. Or guilty, she added, reminiscing upon other times and other battles.
You must learn detachment from battle, Bastila's voice appeared through the force bond.
How does someone detach themselves from a battle where they are killing people just like them? Alaanis spat back at Bastila. The younger jedi seemed reluctant to answer. Alaanis could almost picture Bastila's biting her bottom lip as she did when she was nervous.
By seeing them as nameless faces when they are your enemies and have no chance for redemption, Bastila finally responded.
How can you tell if someone is beyond redemption?
I don't know… you can just tell. This last message seemed to end their mental conversation. Alaanis tried to take Bastila's advice, and felt peace sear through her as she remembered her techniques from the Dantooine enclave, felt the force flow through her and tell her what to do and how to move. Shutting her eyes helped. And the battle winded down. Chuundar knew it when he was the last of his side; he had lost.
Panting, the current chieftain glanced around the room. One of Freyyr's loyal Wookies (whose name was Wrryork), Zaalbar, Alaanis, Jolee, Bastila, Juhani and Freyyr himself remained. Chuundar was alone in this fight.
":Chuundar! Don't do this:" Zaalbar called to his brother.
":No brother… I will do this:" Chuundar rushed at Freyyr and the two interlocked in a death duel. Chuundar parried a few of Freyyr's blows before pouncing onto the offensive himself. Freyyr reluctantly blocked Chuundar again and again with his sword.
":I am the rightful chieftain! I have Bacca's hilt:" Chuundar roared during their duel. He swung his vibroblade wildly at Freyyr who easily parried the attempt.
":Son, give this up! Please:" Freyyr pleaded.
":Never:"
Freyyr hesitated as he went into the offensive. In his rage, Chuundar was no match for his father who was ahead of him in speed, experience and skill. It wasn't long before Freyyr had Chuundar at his mercy. ":Finish it:" Chuundar ordered his father.
":No:" Freyyr refused. ":I will not murder my own son.:" He shot a defiant look down at Chuundar. Chuundar grabbed the sword out of his father's hand and stabbed himself with it.
":Then I will:" were Chuundar's dying words. Nobody in the vicinity could ever have forgotten the hatred born in Chuundar's eyes as he died. The pure anger and fury. The memory shook both Zaalbar and Freyyr for many years, knowing that he was their own kin.
Freyyr leaned down against his son's dead body and let loose a pained howl. Zaalbar walked over to his father and placed his paw on Freyyr's shoulder.
":I am sorry father:" Zaalbar muttered. Freyyr stood up and hugged Zaalbar.
":I am sorry I didn't believe you when you told me what Chuundar was doing son:" Freyyr apologized as their embrace broke. ":I was blinded by anger that you used your claws.:"
":I didn't mean to use my claws:" Zaalbar said ashamed. ":I was just so angry with him.:"
":I know Zaalbar, I know.:" Freyyr turned towards Alaanis. ":Thank you outsider. And your companions:" he motioned towards Bastila and Juhani. ":And thank you Jolee, my old friend, for helping me. But I thank you most of all outsider for returning my son to me. Alaanis Pi, I am sure my son's lifedebt is an honor above any other honor you will ever receive. He is a good Wookie.:"
":Thank you father:" Zaalbar said gratefully.
"Having Zaalbar around is an honor," Alaanis smiled.
":You deserve a reward for what you have done Alaanis Pi:" Freyyr told the human. ":You may have anything you wish.:" Alaanis resisted the temptation to ask for anything of worth. She knew she didn't need whatever he could offer.
"I thank you for your offer Freyyr, but I cannot accept any reward. I was just happy to help," Alaanis objected. Freyyr looked at her curiously.
":You are a strange human:" the Wookie mused, but he wasn't disappointed. The Wookies would need their supplies in the coming struggles.
":I have a request father:" Zaalbar spoke up. ":I would like Bacca's blade reunited with the hilt. If you would honor me with it.:" Freyyr's eyes seemed to bug out at this request. It was Alaanis' turn to look curious.
":That is quite a request:" Freyyr exclaimed. He gave it a moment of thought. ":Why not? I'll give it to you as an expectance of your return and of the chieftain you one day will be. I am sure you will one day make a great chieftain.:" Taking Bacca's hilt from it's place upon a display in the hut, and reconnecting it with Bacca's blade which Freyyr had had in hand, the older Wookie passed it to his son.
":Thank you father:" Zaalbar said upon receiving the now connected blade. ":I will one day return, and hold Bacca's blade in hand.:" The jedi looking on couldn't help but smile.
Freyyr looked down upon his son with pride gleaming in his eyes. ":I am sure you will.:"
"So what are you going to do about Czerka now?" Alaanis asked the newly reinstated chieftain.
":We will fight them off, and drive them off our planet:" Freyyr roared, the proud gleam vanishing and being replaced with determination. ":Chuundar should've never brought them here, and now that he has we must fight them off and show them who's in charge here. We will send climbers to other villages and collect together all the Wookies we can.
":Only you and your friends Alaanis Pi will be the welcome outsiders for a long time. We won't let any ship besides your land on Kashyyyk without a fight.:" Freyyr's dedication to his people and his resolve was something Alaanis had to admire.
"Thank you Freyyr," Alaanis bowed her head in respect. "But we must go now."
":Thank you outsider, yet again, for all you have done. I hope we meet again some day.:"
"I am sure we will." The four jedi left the hut, Zaalbar staying behind to say a last good-bye to his father. But soon enough the Wookie joined them, and they began walking out of the village.
Alaanis wasn't sure what to say, but eventually she just said it. "I'm sorry about your brother Zaalbar. I wish we could've changed him, made him realize the error of his ways… but I guess it wasn't meant to be."
":You tried Alaanis Pi:" Zaalbar growled dismissively. ":That's what matters. Thank you for rescuing me. Without killing my father.:" He looked over at Jolee. ":Who is this new human:"
"Jolee Bindo, meet Zaalbar," Alaanis introduced them. "Zaalbar, this is Jolee Bindo."
":Pleasure to meet you Jolee Bindo. My father used to speak of you when I was a cub, wondering if he should let you stay or not.:" Zaalbar greeted the old man. ":I was surprised to know a human who would stay on our planet, and in the shadowlands no less, and help us out so much.:"
"Yep," Jolee responded. "And I did it all for the Wookies."
XxXxX
Along the journey back to the Ebon Hawk, the five companions ran into quite a few fights between Wookies and Czerka. Though it was Czerka who called for their help, it was the Wookies that Alaanis, Juhani, Jolee, Bastila and Zaalbar helped.
By the time they finally arrived back at the ship, it was midday. Wookies instead of Czerka were guarding the landing platform. They paid no attention to the four humans and Zaalbar as they boarded the Ebon Hawk.
"This looks like a hunk of junk," Jolee grumbled as he walked up the boarding ramp. Alaanis rolled her eyes and second guessed bringing the old man along. She wondered what the rest of the crew would think.
As the five of them walked into the common room a blue flash ran up to them and quickly latched onto Zaalbar.
"Big Z!" Mission Vao shrieked! "You're alright! I'm so glad you're alright!"
":Thanks for caring Mission, yes I'm fine:" Zaalbar growled amused at his Twi'lek friend.
Mission looked over the rest of the returning group and gave Alaanis a hug as she did. "Alaanis! I'm glad you're alright! You too Juhani! And Bastila as well." Alaanis knew Mission was being polite when she mentioned Bastila. The two still weren't getting along real well. Juhani and Mission seemed to get along alright. Alaanis had even caught them talking about Taris once or twice when they first left Dantooine.
"Who's this old coot with you?" Mission asked in reference to Jolee. Jolee scoffed and started mumbling about ungrateful hooligans.
"Mission, this is Jolee Bindo," Alaanis introduced them. "Jolee, this is Mission Vao."
Mission chuckled. "You make Carth look like a kid! Heck, you probably make Canderous look like a teenager!" Jolee narrowed his eyes while Alaanis laughed good-naturedly. Bastila rolled her eyes.
Carth Onasi wandered into the common room then and spotted the six crew members randomly standing. Well, Juhani had sat down actually and Zaalbar found his way to his and Mission's usual couch, but Jolee, Alaanis, Mission and Bastila were still standing. Behind Carth was T3-M4.
"Alaanis! You're back!" Carth ran up and hugged her. Alaanis was a bit surprised, but hugged him back anyways.
"Good to see you too flyboy," Alaanis laughed as he let go. "By the way, Jolee Bindo, met Carth Onasi and vice versa. I'm going to get sick introducing people. Just introduce yourself from now on Jolee."
"Well you've introduced him to everyone but Canderous already anyways," Mission informed Alaanis as the teenage Twi'lek sat down next to Zaalbar, glad to be with her furry friend again.
Alaanis rolled her eyes with a smirk as she sat down on the couch opposite Mission and Zaalbar. "Where is the Mandalorian anyways?" the oldest of the women jedi asked. Mission shrugged.
"Probably still working on the swoop bike," Carth answered the question. "As far as I know he was just finishing up the modifications last night. Maybe he's checking it all out to make sure everything's fine."
It was quiet in the common room for a minute. Then Canderous made his grand entrance. The Mandalorian ambled into the common room and noticed that the three jedi and the Wookie had returned along with another jedi as he leaned against a wall. "Another jedi? Where'd you pick up this old guy?"
"In the shadowlands," Bastila answered the question. "And you shouldn't be talking. You aren't exactly the youngest thing in the room."
T3 made a few beeping sounds. Alaanis burst out laughing, Bastila blushed crimson and Canderous gave the droid a glare. Most of the rest of the room either didn't understand the droid or didn't show any acknowledgement to his comments.
"T3 was just making a few snide insults about Canderous…" Alaanis said, not daring to repeat what the droid had said. It had involved a few remarks about not just Canderous' age but the droid had declared that Canderous had been 'pining' for Bastila.
"I wonder where he got those ideas," Alaanis thought aloud, looking at Canderous with an amused gleam in her eyes. The Mandalorian growled and kicked the droid as it rolled out of the room.
"I say its time for lunch," Juhani declared.
"Alright," Carth agreed, "but during lunch you guys had better explain everything that happened in that Wookie village and down in the shadowlands. I think we that were stuck on the ship want to know."
"Did you find that Star Map thing you were looking for?" Canderous asked.
"Yes, we did," Alaanis nodded. As Jolee brought out some of the more edible food he had brought from his hut and Carth brought some of the synthesized crap the Ebon Hawk made and they settled around the common room. Canderous was sitting in one of the chairs in the corner while Bastila, Juhani and Jolee sat in other chairs around the room. Mission and Zaalbar were of course occupying their regular couch and Alaanis and Carth sat on the other couch. Alaanis, along with the help of Juhani, Bastila, Zaalbar and Jolee, told everyone what had happened on Kashyyyk.
At some point T3 rolled back into the room and joined in on listening to the story. He beeped curiously.
"You know I was wondering the same thing," Alaanis muttered. "I have no clue why the Star Map recognized me. It's really suspicious, and probably the oddest thing I've ever known, but I can't think of any logical explanations as to why a thirty thousand year old computer would recognize me."
The room grew deathly quiet for a split second before Canderous asked about the Mandalorians they had met in the shadowlands.
"Brutes and cowards, like the ones on Dantooine," Candeorus growled after Alaanis told him all about their encounter, or as much as she could remember before being knocked out. "They are a shame to the name Mandalorian." Alaanis was sure he would've continued his rant about dishonorable Mandalorians if she had given him the chance. But she didn't. Not after she heard Juhani mutter something Canderous hadn't caught that sounded like 'you're not so different from them'.
"So it seems like it wouldn't be surprising if the other three worlds held Star Maps," Alaanis pointed out. "But where should we go next?"
"Tatooine," Mission piped up. Alaanis hadn't expected a reaction from her and observed the Twi'lek curiously.
"Why do you want to go to Tatooine Mission?" Alaanis asked her.
Mission fidgeted slightly before sighing and explaining. "Well, I ran into Leena on Kashyyyk… working for Czerka. She told me Griff was on Tatooine. And I thought since we're planning on going there anyways, why not go there next? I don't want to take too long looking for him."
"Alright," Alaanis conceded. Then she asked in a more vulnerable voice, "Was there another reason?" The jedi expected either Mission to explode or answer reluctantly. Luckily, she got the latter.
With a second sigh, Mission answered. "She said some things about him… and I don't remember him all that well anymore. I want to refresh my memory of my opinion on him."
"Tatooine sound good for everybody?" Alaanis asked the crew. Nobody objected. Maybe for the change of scenery from lots of trees to lots of sand.
"We should contact the masters," Bastila told Alaanis. The latter agreed and the two left the common room for the security room and began a communication with the jedi enclave on Dantooine. Master Vrook received the communication and the two jedi on the Ebon Hawk watched as the bald and now blue jedi master stepped into view.
"Padawan Shan, Padawan Pi, have you news to report to the council?" Vrook asked in his usual short and sharp voice. Both the addressed bowed to Vrook in respect. He's still scowling, Alaanis thought to herself.
"Yes Master Vrook, we have found a Star Map on Kashyyyk," Bastila informed Vrook.
"Very good Padawans," Vrook replied, the scowl still plastered to his face.
"We collected the information, and it seemed to match the map of Dantooine except that a different portion of the map was missing," Bastila explained.
"We are heading to Tatooine next," Alaanis added.
Vrook nodded his head. "Very well Padawans, contact us when you receive any new information. I shall share this bit of news with the council very soon. Good-bye."
Bastila and Alaanis bowed their heads again and the transmission ended.
"Are we leaving for Tatooine immediately?" Bastila asked Alaanis. The latter shrugged.
"Most likely, as soon as Carth is ready to fly." Alaanis moved to leave but Bastila cornered her quickly. Alaanis chuckled nervously. "Can I leave Bastila?"
The chestnut haired jedi shook her head. "I have to speak with you. You are aware of the jedi code are you not?"
Alaanis nodded her head and pointed to her jedi robe and lightsabers. "I think I would have to since I am a jedi," she answered obviously. She moved to leave again but Bastila stopped her.
"Then you do know that jedi are forbidden to love," Bastila said. Alaanis looked at her.
It was obvious this was the point of Bastila cornering her. To tell her to stay away from Carth and stop flirting with him since she couldn't love him. "I don't love Carth nor am I planning on it. I know what I am allowed to do and not to do." And with that Alaanis finally got past Bastila and made sure to keep her true thoughts on the matter hidden so that Bastila wouldn't hear them through their force bond.
I am allowed to love as long as the council doesn't know. Plus, it's not like there's anything between Carth and I besides flirting and playful banter.
Alaanis smirked at her bending the rules and walked down the hall and into the cockpit where she saw Carth sitting at the controls. It was difficult lying to Bastila when she knew she shouldn't. But she couldn't say anything because she had no idea how Carth felt on the matter anyways.
"Hey flyboy," Alaanis greeted the pilot. Carth smiled up at her as she sat down in the co-pilot's chair. "Ready to take her off?"
"She's ready to move," Carth nodded. Alaanis quickly warned the rest of the crew that they were leaving Kashyyyk and returned back to the cockpit as Carth began lifting the Ebon Hawk into the air. They made their way swiftly out of the atmosphere and into space. Carth began punching in the coordinates for Tatooine.
"I wanted to ask you something," Alaanis began tentatively. Her? Tentative? This was something new.
"Shoot," Carth answered, his eyes still on the galaxy map as he finished up the coordinates. He sat back down in the pilot's chair and smirked at Alaanis. He observed her, looking a little different than usual. Perhaps a little nervous? Nah… Alaanis couldn't be nervous. Her hair had seemed to grow while she was on Kashyyyk, an entire inch longer it appeared, cradling her chin with the blonde tips, while the rest revealed her natural color. Her blue eyes were looking anywhere but at Carth. Right now they were observing his boots.
"Are we doing anything?" she asked bluntly. Carth had no idea what she was talking about. Of course, his mind was on a different track at that time.
"What are you talking about Alaanis?" he scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion.
Alaanis opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off before she could say anything by a jerk of the Ebon Hawk and an alarm ringing. Both crew members stared at the sith ship that passed by the viewscreen of the Ebon Hawk in surprise.
"What's going on up here?" Canderous growled as he rushed into the cockpit.
"Sith fighters," Carth stated simply. "We've lost our communications system. And the hyperdrive is leaking. Get T3 to work on the hyperdrive. And you two better get on those guns unless you want to die."
Alaanis and Canderous hurried out of the cockpit. As they rushed by the common room where it seemed the rest of the crew was still sitting in, Alaanis told them all to buckle in and quickly told T3 to get to work on the hyperdrive before, like Canderous, hopping into one of the ship's two gun turrets.
The radar showed six sith fighters in all. Alaanis knew she could take them, and along with Canderous' help and Carth's flying skills, they'd beat those sith in no time.
Just like smuggling, Alaanis smirked to herself upon the memories of her previous times in a gunner seat.
One sith fighter tried to match Carth's roll maneuver as he avoided a rapid flurry of shots from a second sith fighter, and both sith were in for a surprise when Alaanis caught one and Canderous caught the other. Both exploded in an array of colors and molecules and vanished into space. Carth rolled the Ebon Hawk again, attempting to shake a fighter on their tail. Finally, he did a flip underneath the fighter and Alaanis shot the fighter with ease. Canderous hit one of the fighters on its wing where it swerved into the fifth and exploded. Alaanis caught the last one with such simplicity, it was almost like shooting a gizka.
"Nice work beautiful," Carth's voice came over the comm system of the ship. "And I meant Alaanis with that one Canderous, sorry to disappoint you."
"That's too bad," the Mandalorian said over the comm. Alaanis laughed to herself.
Bastila on the other hand was wearing a scowl to match Vrook's as Carth, Alaanis and Canderous arrived back in the common room of the Ebon Hawk, and the first two shared a hug, a couch and some looks that Bastila couldn't help but interpret as lies from Alaanis.
Why does she have to be so much like Revan? She's going to end up being exactly like her true past. Starting out well, and then falling because of a mistake.
Bastila couldn't help but feel that mistake would be Carth.
XxXxX
Okay, I lied. I could never have managed to get this into two chapters before we get to Tatooine. Kind of sucks really. And I'm sorry this is pretty short. Only around fifteen pages. Taris took up a bunch of chapters, but these planets are rolling by so quickly. So, next obviously is Tatooine. Where we meet Mission's brother, Bastila's mother, Canderous' former comrade, and of course everybody's favorite assassin droid. Heehee… I expect he will be in the next chapter, but I make no promises. He will be in by at chapter sixteen at the latest though.
Now, anyways, I have to say that I was in such a rush to finish this chapter originally that I made it with as little detail as possible. So don't sue me if any of the detail I added in doesn't fit, because I ended up revising half of this chapter because it was obvious I just wanted to get it done. Surprisingly it was the first half lol. And the last bit about Alaanis and Carth? Yeah, randomly felt like adding that in. I have to say, I was surprised when I didn't get any lectures from Bastila about Carth in the game when I first played.
As for the title, call it lack of inspiration. I couldn't think of one good thing so I ended up just using this since we're on Kashyyyk and there are Wookies.
So… before I get to the reviews, here's another beg for a beta or two. Still lacking in that department since Shadows Run vanished. Anyways… onto the reviews! Thanks so much for them, they mean so much to me. Especially since I now have broken fifty reviews for this fic. XD You guys rock. Anyways…
Lunatic Pandora1 – I actually don't think I have Jolee and Canderous in the same party ever except for on the Star Forge (I always brought those two with me when I did light side). Canderous beating Jolee in arguments? I've gotta see this! –rushes to go play kotor and use Jolee and Canderous together-
Kitome-chan – I'm glad you like the story! Thanks for the heads up on the katarn / dewback thing. I edited the chapter so that it switched the two. But thanks again:)
Rachil Fayrchild – What's not to love about Jolee? Old guy, neutral jedi, annoying and long stories… And as for the romance stuff, don't worry! I'm… trying! Manaan is really the next big pivotal step. I'm not sure if anything special happens on Tatooine beside HK joining the party. I'm really centering the story around the Leviathon.
Resident roach code metallica – Heh, this is highly ironic stuff! I'm planning on playing again (since I found this really helpful walkthrough) and finally get Mira and Bao-Dur to be jedi. I love Atton and Mira too. Visas isn't too bad either… but Atton and Mira are my favorites. XD In Drunk Realities, I wasn't even going to get Mira involved but I thought it was so Mira to be that blunt.
Trillian4210 – Thanks! I try so hard to get Jolee right and I'm always worried that I won't get him right. Whenever I get something that sounds a bit out of character I just make Jolee grumble. It's a fool-proof plan! Lol. And as for Bastila's paranoia, I believe that when a person preaches constantly against something, they're afraid they're going to do it. Heh, in fact, that's me! So that scene just really fell into place on its own. I was actually just going to have Alaanis bug Bastila instead of analyze her. But hey! It worked.
Sorry, I always write really long responses. Anyways, before the next chapter… we get the next story break! –teaser- when we meet up with our favorite (or my favorite really) threesome, Malak, Revan and Sienna (aka The exile), they are becoming jedi knights when some dreadful news is brought to the jedi temple on Coruscant…
Anyways, story break three should be up in a day or two because it's already written but I have some tweaking to do. By the way, sidenote: I noticed this later when I was writing a future scene for Destiny II that if my backstory was correct then Kreia and the exile would've already known each other. Meh. Fifteen years makes people forget stuff. I'm riding on that. They're forgetful people. They only met twice or so. I'm innocent! I'm just a writer!
So until the story break and the next chapter, review review and review! Because you love me and Destiny. XD A lot. Enough to review. I know there are a lot of silent readers. I have proof since the new stats thing was made. I accept anonymous reviews!
Okay, I'm done yet again. Until next time!
6-26-05