Galley
Pol returned from the enclave in a buoyant mood, all things aside she was still glad to be leaving Dantooine. "Look upgrades for the food synthesizer!" she said as she lumped the large box on the bench beside the caffa machine, she tapped it pompously for effect.
Zaalbar roared his approval, (About time! I will get to work on that presently.)
"Any Deralian cuisine on the menu?" Carth inquired as he drained a cup of caffa.
"Sadly no."
(Maybe you could cook some for us Pol.) Zaalbar mumbled as he began unpacking the box, claws slicing the packing tape with unnatural ease.
"I am flattered that you asked me Zaalbar." Pol blushed. She had a soft spot for Zaalbar, life debt aside.
"Culturally feeding a wookiee is a privilege." Mission explained the system to the uninitiated. "And it's also a full time job. I could use some help Pol."
Carth and Bastila looked contemplative after learning this. T3 twittered and Canderous looked amused. Mission had been thieving and wheedling food for Big Z for a number of years, such was the closeness of their friendship.
"I doubt Zaalbar would thank me for it if I tried. I am a horrible cook." Pol had managed so far to keep her mind disconnected form her heart; she wanted to keep things light. I'll do my hurting later. She promised herself.
Canderous laughed, "Figures, short, noisy and a bad cook."
"You forgot to mention what a grump she is in the mornings." Bastila supplemented with a teasing smile.
Pol bit back cheekily, "Blah blah you are no prize either before your first caffa Princess Pedant!"
"It's the bond dear, you grump I grump." Bastila retorted with a little grin.
"I've never met a woman yet who liked sunup or who didn't hog the refresher. First thing in the morning you're damned near feral the three of you." Carth declared. He fought off slaps from Mission and Bastila with a chuckle. Zaalbar snickered and was also hit by Mission. Pol shrugged humbly in admittance to the accusations.
Canderous offered his wisdom. "Republic you are either very brave or very stupid to generalize woman that way. When the new Jedi arrives we will be outnumbered, let's see how brave you are then." He dared.
"Oh boy didn't think of that!" Carth joked. "I will have to watch myself. Well I better go run some tests on this old girl make sure she's ready for tomorrow's flight."
"Well I guess I will go hog the refresher." Mission skipped out of the room excitedly. She had been slowly regaining her pep and the thought of visiting Kashyyyk had really appealed to her. Bastila took her leave to prepare a bunk for Juhani. Pol and Canderous sat together and watched Zaalbar intently for a lengthy moment.
(You going to help?) He asked rhetorically, when he realized he was being stared at.
"I have something to do." Canderous mumbled. He looked at Pol meaningfully and Pol indicated her comprehension with an anxious smile. She dallied after he left the galley, picking up the fallen packaging and shredded tape. She posted them through the garbage chute and took a seat.
(Everything ok?)
"If you are referring to my fainting spell then yeah I am ok."
(From what Carth said it was more of a collapse.)
"I am ok, how about you? You keen to see home?"
(Not really. I left under duress. I am sorry but I don't want to talk about this.)
"I respect that, you don't have to. If you change your mind I will be here Zaalbar."
(I thank you Pol.)
Pol found her feet and left the galley. She paused and bit a catching fingernailNow what can I do… delay, avoid Pol headed away from the garage decisively spinning towards the cargo hold. Bastila was meditating when she arrived and the Force swelled about her. Pol wondered for a second if Bastila had called her with it. Bastila eased out of her pose.
"You didn't say anything." Pol said quietly slumping to the deck beside Bastila.
"The Republic stands a better chance with you seeking the answers to this riddle than it does with you locked in a cell. Besides all hell would break loose if they incarcerated you. Between the Wookiee and the Mandalorian…" She shook her head with a rueful grin.
"Carth will want to kill me."
"If he finds out he may wish you harm, but he will have to go through me to do it. I know your heart Pol as you know mine." Bastila delivered her words kindly but with assurance.
"Well he will probably be narked at you too, for lying so you watch my back and I will watch yours." Pol said with a wink.
"I didn't lie, I merely omitted." Bastila looked guilty as hell for all her claim. Pol hugged her. "What in space was that for?" She asked Pol once she was released.
"For your support, I appreciate it. While you are being so supportive, I need to talk to Canderous, any advice?"
Bastila was taken aback but flattered by Pol's request. "Just make sure he doesn't tell anyone. I know your feelings about the code are…Different. But be careful Pol." Pol nodded deliriously and wobbled off on nervous legs to see Canderous.
I'm with the Sith Lord.
When Pol arrived Canderous was sitting on his bed, a rare sight. He made space for her but she pretended not to notice and took his place by the workbench. Standing in his space, she realized it was the perfect location to watch both exits from the hanger, a testament to Mandalorian vigilance.
He frowned. She took her time. "Did you get lost or do I need a bath?" He asked in his native dialect.
"No just a shave." Pol recommended absently. She addressed her feelings in private. Sadness, guilt, confusion and despair just wait 'til later I promise I will deal with you then. Nerves, you're up, come with me.
"Come here." He said. What did they do to you?Canderous grieved secretly for Pol's loss, because part of him knew that she wouldn't.
"You know." Pol accused.
"And by the look on your face and your reluctance to make eye contact with anyone I would say you know too. Come here." Maybe I should have told her.
"You want me to?"
"Pol don't make me come over there," Canderous gave a weary caution to his wayward woman who gave in and sat beside him. "I wanted to tell you what I suspected. I don't know why I didn't."
"Bastila said she asked you not to. How did you know?"
"I witnessed Mandalore's defeat by Revan. She was masked and robed; there was not much to see. But she had a presence a regal bearing that stuck in my mind. Mandalorian warriors notice these things. You still walk the same; fearless. Watching her – you fight. I had never seen anything like that before, that style…not from any soldier or Jedi. It stayed with me for many years. At the last she held his head in her arms tenderly and whispered something, I and my brethren wondered what it was, now having met you I think I know."
"I remember. I asked him to reconsider I pleaded with him to surrender."
"Was it out of some pacifistic Jedi ideal?" He asked.
"Actually no I was never a very good Jedi. I asked him because I feared he would be held aloft as a martyr to the Mandalorian cause and I wanted to end the war once and for all." Pol looked at Canderous guiltily. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he smiled his approval.
"You're craftier than I thought. Knew there was a reason I liked you." He took her hand in his cautiously. "When I saw you fight for the first time I had my suspicions. Your style was almost identical. But I discounted the idea; hell for all anyone knew Revan was dead, by young Bastila's hand no doubt. I didn't dare hope. Now there's something that rocked me. Not that she isn't a good fighter, she just inst that great. Even with Malak's betrayal I couldn't fathom her beating Revan. Other things, Carth's conspiracy theories, your crazy broken brain, seeing you with a lightsaber…"
"The council session you 'overheard'" Pol dug her fingernail into Canderous's hand.
"Ha. Yeah well. I knew something was up, wishful thinking."
"I can't be that ever again. I have no intention of reclaiming that title, or that name." Pol said wholeheartedly.
"That wasn't what I was hoping for."
"Really?" Pol caught his gaze, and found the hint of a lie.
Realizing he was caught Canderous admitted the truth. "Maybe just a little," he laughed quietly. Pol saluted him. "Ouch. You have a right to your history though, the honor you have earned through your victories. I am angry for what they have done to you."
"They'll do worse if they find out I know."
"Which is why I haven't acted. So they captured you and wiped your memory?"
"Yes, and replaced it with the weak suggestion that I was a scout. Just as well you didn't act on it I intend to defeat Malak, can't do that caged. I know what the Star Forge is I just have to find it, again. We could get lucky though, I might remember."
"So what is it?"
"Gigantic weapons plant. A war engine, capable of creating entire fleets of warships and legions of battle droids in under a year" His eyes lit up. Pol frowned and released his hand. "You have a one track mind Ordo."
"Ni Mando'ad - I'm a Mandalorian, so two tracks." He corrected grabbing her hand back sneakily. "Well whatever your decision, and I know how you women love to change your minds I will be here."
"What?" Pol was shocked.
"Don't blame me I learned all about women from Captain Complains-a-lot today. Shower hogging and so on."
"Canderous." Pol cautioned.
"Yeah?"
"When did you start taking advice from Carth?"
Canderous laughed.
"You won't tell the others?" Pol asked anxiously.
"No but I wish I could. Just to see the looks on their faces. You are incredible Pol but they don't even know the half of it." Canderous grinned, beautiful.
"I am not proud of it." Pol touched Canderous's chin and ran her thumb along his lower lip as though trying to steal his smile.
"Not all of it, but it is what made you who you are now. You will come to terms with it in your own way and in the meanwhile I will admire that aspect of you privately." The grin returned. Pol let go of his face and stared at her feet sorrowfully.
"Sometimes I just don't get you. I loath what I did, as a Sith." Pol accepted their cultural difference, up to a point, and Canderous was usually prepared to meet her half way but this hurt. "I thought you would understand that."
"I know, its cuz you're a do-gooder. But damn, woman if Mandalore had been able to shake the galaxy the way you did he would have cherished it. You aren't a Mandalorian," he sighed, "shame that. But I am and by my nature find it hard not to be impressed by a woman capable of such a feat."I am trying to tell you that I think you are amazing.
Pol rolled her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. "You mean bastard." She said feebly closing her teary eyes. "Now I don't know how to feel about this."
"Mean hmm? That's fair. But you are the meanest woman I have ever met." He intoned lazily.
"Yeah scourge of the galaxy, that's me." Pol let the sadness creep in, she nestled it gently along side her guilt and shame.
"I wasn't referring to that" Hmm time to change the game before Pol gets sad.
"Oh no what now?"
"This," he touched her face and traced a line down her neck with his fingers. Pol shivered. He brushed her hair aside and whispered in her ear, "You coming to my bed and tormenting me."
Pol's eyes snapped open. "You ordered me to! And if I was tormenting you, Canderous there would be no doubt." Her negative feelings fled, to a distant part of her soul as he made his move.
"It's an ongoing torment." He explained capturing her mouth with his.
Mission stepped out of the refresher. Bah stupid Carth, I don't spend long in there. I wish Zaalbar would tell me more about Kashyyyk. Maybe he's told Pol, I should go find her. She headed for the galley. No Pol. She tried the dorm. No Pol. So she went to the next most possible place, the garage.
Pol and Canderous were locked in a passionate embrace when Mission stumbled in. "Hey Pol," her brilliant blue eyes bugged at the sight she paused gaping. "….Oh my various gods! Get a room!" Deeply offended by the overt display of affection Mission whirled about and left the garage with Canderous yelling after her.
"For facks sake this IS my room KNOCK next time! Shabla usenye! " He cursed.
"Udesii – calm down. Not so loud." Pol giggled. "I better go see what she wanted."
"Now!" Canderous held his hands firmly about her waist. Nayc - no don't go!
"'Lek Canderous - Yeah now." Pol wriggled free, apologizing with a kiss.
"She means a lot to you." He grumbled, though not unsympathetically.
"And so do you. But you're less needy." Pol murmured.
"If that's what you think than you need to stop taking advice from celibate Jedi."
"Oh funny. Keep that up and I won't come back later." Pol quipped.
Canderous felt all the spit in his mouth dry suddenly. "You are going to come back?"
"Maybe," Pol remarked flippantly as she left the room.
I have to get a door. With a lock. Canderous scanned the garage looking at the two exits. Make that two doors.
Outside
Pol located Mission with a trace of the Force and followed her outside. Eeeep time to make one of my famous jokes to make everything better again. "Mission," Pol cringed as she called the girl. "I'm so sorry, like I said you've seen way too much for some one so young and now boy, the sight of geriatrics pashing that can't have been good."
Mission doubled over in a fit of giggles. "You said it Pol. What is going on? I mean Canderous! I knew you liked him, but I didn't know you liked him liked him."
"Yeah, I have this thing for grumpy old bastards."
"Well he's got that down pat." Mission pulled a face.
"Sorry he yelled." And swore at you, Pol sat beside Mission, her face glowing gently in the moonlight.
"It's ok it's just a stupid man thing. They all get nasty when it comes to booze and women. Zaalbar kinda hinted to me that maybe there was something going on. I knew Canderous liked you though."
"Yeah how?" Pol's heart sang happy la la's He likes me he likes me.
"Duh he watches you all the time, not in the 'looking up your robes' kinda way but the 'interested' way. He stands taller as soon as you enter a room, makes up lame excuses to be near you and he's even meaner when you aren't there."
"Ah. You didn't notice me doing the same thing…"
"Women are always more discreet." Mission said facetiously with a smile and a wink. "So is this why Bastila is on your case?"
"Yeah kinda, but that's not why I came out here, though a chat with my favorite streetwise mastermind is always an education. What was it you wanted to speak with me about?"
"Were leaving for Kashyyyk tomorrow and Zaalbar never talks about home, I know he left when Czerka started slaving, but I don't know much else. He won't talk."
"Ah, that's a weird guy thing again. I asked too and he wouldn't talk to me either."
"Oh. Well that was kinda all I wanted to know. I'm glad were leaving Dantooine this place is so dull."
"You know, where were going after Kashyyyk?"
"No, where?" Mission asked.
"We are going to Tatooine another big boring place; but hopefully one with a big brother." Pol caught Mission as the young girl threw herself into the Jedi's arms.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou Pol!"
"Hey I can't take credit, I don't deserve it, we just got lucky. There is supposed to be a Star Map there, but the council insisted on searching Kashyyyk first."
"Doesn't matter to me; you're the best Pol." Mission hugged her again.
"We should go in I'm getting eaten alive by bugs and I am hungrier than they are."
After Dinner
The decision to go to Kashyyyk first had been based on the vision Bastila and Pol shared of a Star Map on the forest floor. It seemed the quickest way around the task. Pol meditated after dinner pouring through her memories like old albums of yellowing pictographs. The pages of her memories stuck together in places blending the war stories Canderous had told her with her own genuine memories. All traces of her fictitious scouting life were gone, but aspects of Bastila loomed from time to time. She spared me out of interest, that's twice now. I'm almost her pet. I have to find out how much this bond conveys.
Bastila and Pol sat in the cargo hold meditating. They had claimed the space as it was relatively private. Pol opened her eyes and called to Bastila gently. Bastila opened hers almost instantly. "I was just wondering what we share with this bond…other than dreams." Pol said. She was looking shamefaced.
"Are you trying to tell me something?" Bastila's cornflower blue eyes sparked with alarm.
"Ha! No not at all." Ok so she can't tell when we kiss, that's good.
"Are you sure? I could have sworn you were testing me…Trying to find out if knew you were… Oh I don't know …Making out in the garage with Canderous?" Bastila drew each word out meticulously enjoying every squirmy minutes of Pol's shame. By the end of her statement Pol had died.
"Oh god no." she said, with her face in her hands.
"Because if you were, I didn't actually know until Mission told me. It wasn't passed through the bond thank the Force." Bastila smiled. I mustn't be so mean she feels badly enough about her past as it is.
"Bastila! That was so unkind of you to lead me on like that, but funny." Relief washed over Pol cooling her complexion.
"I still wish you wouldn't do things like that, you know I don't approve. I sense you emotional state, and it affects mine." Bastila reclaimed her cool as they diagnosed the nature of their bond.
"I can pick your emotions up too, but not much more than anyone else's. And some people I just can't read at all."
"A lot of Jedis aren't able to read emotional states of sentients through the Force at all, we are lucky to have that ability in any form, it is an advantage."
"Sometimes," Said Pol
"Yes sometimes." Bastila agreed.