Kashyyyk Star Map
After a long and dull trek through the lower reaches of Kashyyyk's under lands, they arrived at the computer. "Ah there it is the obstinate thing. I never could get it to work." Jolee grouched.
"Ok, let's see what it's got." Pol approached the computer warily made all the more apprehensive by the incident at the last Star Map. Her group watched her closely as she investigated the computer. A holo-interface sprang to light and greeted them in galactic basic.
(Computer: conducting pattern recognition scan: Match Found.)
"Match found? Bah." Jolee frowned. "It only ever said pattern rejected for me."
"Rejected by a computer, Bindo? That reminds me of Elise." Canderous laughed.
"Who is Elise?" Jolee asked.
"I'll tell you if we ever get stuck in a turbolift." Canderous said with a wry laugh. He had found the droid in the end and destroyed it. Elise had not been impressed.
"What do you mean, 'match found'?" Pol asked.
(Error: Subject's shows unfamiliarity to her surrounds.)
"I seek the Star Map."
(Computer: I am programmed with a limited field of information accessible only to the subject that matches my recorded patter.)
"Well, if I fit the pattern can you give me the information?"
(Answer: I can't say. I will bring forward the behavioral pattern you need to proceed as outlined in my programming. Awaiting acceptance of evaluation.)
"Begin your evaluation, computer." Pol said spreading her arms wide.
(Evaluation commencing: You travel with a Wookiee and encounter complications. You and your companion Zaalbar are captured and separated. You are sentenced to one year each if you both resist questioning, but two years each if you accuse each other. What would you do?)
"I would trust Zaalbar he would say nothing and I would say nothing." Pol said plainly.
(By trusting Zaalbar you risk one to five years incarceration. If you accuse Zaalbar you risk one to two years. Your loyalty is dangerous. Zaalbar's family is mired in treachery, what do they know about loyalty? Answer incorrect failure to match pattern requirement subject rejected.)
"I think I will just take it apart." Pol said to Juhani and the others.
(Threat of hostility matches pattern but subjects has failed initial behavior recognition initiating defense procedure.)
"Uh oh," Pol leapt to one side dodging a stun ray. She gave a shout and pointed to two battle droids that were fast approaching. Canderous opened fire on them and Juhani bounded to meet them her blue lightsaber whirring violently. Jolee stood back calmly surveying the scene; he watched the battle for a second chuckled softly and then disabled both droids completely with a burst of the Force.
Canderous stopped firing first. Juhani ceased her assault on the broken battle droids next, and lastly Pol finished killing the dead droids looking a little awkward. She grinned foolishly; the droids lay in a smoking and sparking ruin. A tach tumbled past with its baby flung across its back clinging cutely as it cavorted. Someone coughed. An insect buzzed. A lightsaber whirred in the quiet. "Thank you, Jolee." Pol said, dousing her blade.
"This looks like the Star Map on Dantooine." Canderous said, pointing to a bud-like metal construct. Pol gave it a tap and it unfolded, revealing an incomplete map of their system. She copied the coordinates into her data pad while Juhani contacted Bastila.
Ebon Hawk Several Hours Later
"Juhani contacted me again; they have found the Star Map."
"So that's it, we can go now?" Mission asked.
"Not quite, Pol has business in the village; she is planning to oust the Czerka slavers once they have reinstated the wookiee chieftain…Zaalbar's father."
"Zaalbar's the chieftain's son? We have to get out there and help them." Mission said.
"Mission, its best if we stay here we would most likely get caught in the crossfire if we headed out now." Bastila said. "Besides I need Carth ready to fly and you ready to shoot if anything interrupts my battle meditation."
"Bastila's right Mission, best thing we can do is stay put, and keep the engine running." Carth agreed.
"Well, I'm going up top for a better view." Mission said bouncing off the couch and heading to the gun turrets. Once she was out of earshot Carth turned to Bastila.
"So you haven't told her about Zaalbar being held prisoner?"
"Pol will sort it out." Bastila said as she prepared a place to begin her battle meditations. This one is for the Wookiees. She told herself.
"You had better hope she does or that's going to be the saddest Twi'lek in the galaxy up there." Carth shook his head. "I better go do a flight check and prep the Hawk just in case we have to leave in a hurry."
Bastila crossed her legs and placed her hands palm up on each knee forefingers and thumbs together in classic meditative pose. Outside the battle began.
The Village
Finding Freyyr had not been difficult, as the crafty old Wook had been stalking them since they left Jolee's hut. After his name was mentioned the twelfth time he had made himself known. Between Pol, Jolee, and Freyyr, they formulated a plan to free Zaalbar and reinstate Freyyr as chieftain. Executing it meant executing Chuundar, his inner circle, and 10 Czerka guards, the only one happy about that was Canderous. When he was questioned about it he said "What?" gruffly and reloaded his power cells.
…
Blood bath over, Pol helped Zaalbar out of his chains.
(That's twice now.) He hooted.
"It's ok. According to the people round these parts, you have the makings of a fine leader once Freyyr is ready to pass the torch…" Pol suggested amiably.
(He is a long way from that yet Pol and I owe you my life debt.)
"Is there any way I can release you from it? I mean without bringing shame on your family or dishonoring your name because, even though I love your company and Mission's I would really like you to be free Zaalbar."
(You lead, I will follow. When the time comes and you feel I have completed my debt to you, I will return to my village and take on a new role in its government. I hope that time isn't too soon, I am actually getting used he the food on the Ebon Hawk.)
"Not ready to settle down just yet?" Pol whispered looking to Zaalbar's father who was leading a bushel of female Wookiees to meet his favored son.
(You know me better than you think Pol,) Zaalbar woofled in amusement.
"We got company." Canderous said. The noise of the fight had attracted a Czerka patrol and they had notified the main post of the political coup.
With a roar Freyyr rounded up his forces, and the Wookiees, mostly armed with bow casters, fended off the oncoming Czerka guard. The Jedi surged ahead, clearing a path to the Czerka post. Zaalbar and Canderous lead the charge on the Czerka post, Zaalbar wielding the mighty sword of Bacca. Jolee hung back, biding his time occasionally weaving devastating threads of the Force onto their foes, but more often healing the fallen Wookiees. Juhani and Pol danced about each other, lightsabers working continuously to quell the opposition, and even out the odds. With the near miraculous aid of Bastila's battle meditation the post was soon claimed.
Juhani and Pol met in a huddle while they waited for the rest of their crew to catch up. Both being Jedi Guardians and spectacular Force-jumpers, they had gotten quite some distance ahead and they compared kill counts like ballgame scores "Well that was fun. I got 43 all together." Pol said with a sweaty grin. "But I got hit. How did you do?"
"40 straight, do you require healing Pol?" Juhani looked at Pol's seat; she had taken a stray shot from a bowcaster; a classic case of wrong place wrong time. Juhani had taken one herself to the back, but Jolee had seen it happen and healed it on sight.
"Yes, please. I'm such a klutz. Don't tell Canderous." Oh man Carth will hate me even more now I've trashed his pants. And the Chief will tease me about this butt shot for weeks.
"Don't tell me what?" Canderous and Zaalbar caught up at last.
His hearing is better than I thought. "Hi Chief, hi Zaalbar, where's Jolee?" Pol asked, trying to distract Canderous and change the subject. Juhani tried to lay her hand inconspicuously on Pol's butt while she healed the wound. She wasn't devious enough. Canderous noticed immediately.
Why is she touching Pol? "You got hit." He said frowning.
"What makes you say that?" Pol asked with a flamboyant gesture. Oh the shame. This is not my day.
"Well either you got hit or you and Juhani are more than friends. So which is it?" He asked dryly. Juhani looked a little anxious; their encounter the day before had not left her mind.
Sensing the discord, Pol owned up. "I got hit in the ass." She hung her head in shame. "I somersaulted over some Wookiees to take out an automated gun turret and got hit by a stray shot. Juhani healed me just now." Pol could feel the pull of the freshly knitted flesh; luckily it had only been a scrape. She shifted her weight to redistribute the pressure and relieve the pain.
Canderous nodded. Zaalbar laughed.
"Wait, aren't you going to give me hell about that?" Pol asked.
"No. I have plenty of ammunition without calling you up on that one. Juhani, you can take your hand off Pol's ass now." Canderous's eyes twinkled, hinting at wry but unvoiced laughter.
The Hawk
"It's over, Carth. You can power everything down, the battle is won. They are on their way back to the ship. Mission could you lay out some fresh clothing and towels for our champions? I'm going to make some caffa. And Carth, set up a bunk for Jolee, in the portside dorm, he will be joining us on our travels." Bastila smiled triumphantly. Of all the feelings she was getting from Pol, the desire to bathe and change rang out loudest.
"Ok." Carth said. "So Big Z is alright?"
"Of course he is." Bastila called from over one delicate shoulder.
"Why wouldn't he be ok Carth?" Mission asked.
"Well there WAS a battle just now Mission." Carth replied, leaving out Zaalbar's imprisonment. I'm as bad as they are. But Bastila is right; Mission needs more bad news like she needs spare lekku.
"Ok I'm a go pick out some stuff for Pol and Juhani." Mission smiled for the first time in a day and went about her preparations.
………
"And we are invited?" Pol asked, pointing to her non Wookiee comrades.
(Yes, you would do us great honor to attend, there will be feasting and dancing.) Freyyr growled out his invitation, leaving little room for refusal.
"Sounds wonderful but we are leaving soon…" Pol said.
"Well, not too soon, you aren't going anywhere without me missy, and I still need to pack my things!" Jolee said.
"Ok, well, I guess we could stick around for a few hours. I'll just let the others know."
(Ask them to join us.)
"Thank you, Freyyr. I will extend the invitation." Pol contacted Bastila and the crew to invite them to the evening's celebrations. It was agreed that after a clean up, they would all go to the Rwookrrorro village for the freedom festivities. Jolee returned to his hermitage with Juhani to collect his things.
Pol limped back to the Hawk, following Zaalbar and dragging the cuffs of Carth's trashed trousers.
"They have a rip where that blaster bolt hit you." Canderous observed.
"How angry do you think he will be?" she asked, nausea welling in her gut.
"I got your back, Champ." Canderous took her hand in his as they paced the last three hundred meters to the Hawk, Pol loping strangely all the way.
………
"Zaalbar! I am so sorry for going rakghoul on you at the store. I missed you so much. When does the party start? Can I meet your brother, the one you were staying with?" Mission flew into Zaalbar's hirsute grip. He hugged her gently.
(If you will listen I will explain.) He said. Mission gasped and nodded eager to hear the full tale.
"Pol, Canderous welcome back." Bastila greeted them fondly. "You will be glad to know the refresher is free; and there are new clothes for you in the dorm Pol."
"Thank you Bastila, especially for your help during the battle. There were no Wookiee losses thanks to you. Jolee and Juhani are fetching gear from his shack. They will meet us at the celebrations. How is Carth?" Pol's concern and guilt overwhelmed Bastila.
"I'm ok." Carth answered stepping into the common room. He looked gaunt, freshly washed, but haggard. "How are you, Revan?" There was a cruelty to his voice, but it was shredded by the hurt he felt and salted with diminished trust.
Pol gulped, Canderous released her hand and cracked his knuckles behind his back. Just try it punk. "Her name is Pol; you'd do well to remember that Republic." Never thought I would say that.
"I trashed your trousers and your galaxy and all I can think to say is: 'Sorry'" Pol said sadly. "I better go get cleaned up." Pol left the common room restraining her tears till she reached the refresher.
Angst
Not for the first time Canderous wished the Ebon Hawk had more than one refresher. He gave himself a sniff and ran his hand over his chin. I really need a clean up. First mod I would make, two refreshers, after the addition of a decent bedroom. He examined the garage and the bunkrooms for 'nasty surprises', just incase Carth had taken the news worse than he let on. Finding nothing, he conducted some other investigations. He checked the navicomputer for changes, the food stores for contamination, and Pol's gear for tampering. All clear hmm, time to go pay my debt to little Blue.
"Blue, you got a moment?" Canderous said as he reached the common room.
"You got those credits you owe me?"
"No, but I did a little Czerka looting and stole you this." He handed her the personal holodisc player he had taken from the defunct Czerka store. Mission's face lit up.
"Aw, thanks C-note. You're debt free now, but the name still sticks! Thanks for helping Zaalbar's family." Awesome, this is worth 300 credits. Woot! I have to get Canderous to play Pazaak with me again!
"He did tell you I killed his brother, didn't he?" Canderous grinned evilly.
"Yeah, but he also said why, so you can drop the callous killer act. You might be baddass, old man, but you aint bad. Is Pol ok? I didn't get to talk to her when she came in I wanted to thank her too."
"She is fine."
"I know she was Revan. It was a shock cuz she's so nice and all, but I guess Big Z is right: she is Pol now, and he owes his debt to who she is, not who she was" Mission looked at Canderous, he seemed ancient to her. Tired and worried. His eyes flicked to Carth frequently, keeping a watch on the pilot. He was also watching the hallway to the refresher, waiting for the change in lighting that would signal Pol's presence.
"You're a good kid, Blue." Canderous said at last. He stood when he saw Pol tripping down the hallway, clutching a towel for modesty. He followed her to the girls' bunkroom.
"You decent?" He asked, sealing the door behind them.
"Bastila will have a fit if she catches you in here." Pol said, holding the towel closely to her form.
"If you're shy, I'll turn my back." And watch your reflection in the door.
"Oh Canderous, just go! Usenye, can't you tell I am upset?" Pol was still feeling teary. There was something about crying in the refresher…It never seemed to satisfy.
"Actually, I can, and that's why I am here. Things aren't as bad as you imagine. Juhani and Bastila still have a use for you, Jolee only smells funny cuz he's old; Zaalbar and Mission think you are a hero… So Carth's being a Bantha's ass. He is Republic so that's nothing new and it's nothing we can't handle. If he was going to try anything, he would have done it by now." Canderous looked over his shoulder at Pol.
"Which is Canderous-speak for 'I already threatened him, and checked the hold for timed explosives and proximity mines.' Right?" Pol slipped into her new pants, then unfolded a shirt. "Hey you said you would turn your back!" Pol accused with a weary laugh.
"I have turned my back, just not my head," He excused. "Before I go, did I cheer you up at all? I would have …You know-" He made an enveloping gesture with his arms. "But I'm filthy, and you're all clean."
Pol smiled broadly, he hated the word 'hug'. It's such a simple word and he is such a baby about it. He also gives great hugs, oh how he would hate that to get out… "Ok, now you have cheered me up. Thanks Chief."
Canderous Ordo bowed derisively and left the room.
Here's to Freedom!
Carth caught Pol's arm as she left the Hawk for the celebrations. "Wait, Pol." Canderous glared at him. Well I won't be fool enough to ask him to leave Carth thought; he had seen enough in the ruins on Dantooine to have learned that little lesson even second hand.
"I, uh, wanted to talk to you. This must be a shock for you as well. I can't pretend to understand, but I respect the efforts you are taking to fix things. And I really don't care about my pants."
Canderous spoke up. "That's just as well, cuz Pol took a blaster bolt to the ass and they're kinda holey now."
"Oh no, that's not good," Carth gave a weary laugh. "Pol, sorry I called you… that other name."
"It's ok. I'm sorry I betrayed your trust. I wish we could have told you sooner." Pol said.
"I know it wasn't all intentional. And what are the feelings of one Republic pilot when the war is at stake?" Carth laughed emptily and let go of Pol's arm.
"Like a black hole…It still sucks any ways you look at it. I'll try not to frack things up Carth." She said.
"I believe you Pol. That was all I wanted to say." His brown eyes shone with sincerity and fatigue.
Pol gave Carth a weak smile. "Thanks. That means a lot to me."
Canderous fetched Pol's hand and held it in his reassuringly. "You two done? Cuz I want to find out what Wookiees drink."
"Let me guess, big guy, you want to find something that will actually get you drunk faster than your implant can detoxify it?" Carth said.
"Well I figure Wookiees are big… High constitutions… There's a good chance that they brew some knockout grog. I haven't been drunk in years." The three soldiers ambled along the treetop walkway towards the village. Canderous bought Pol's hand to his mouth when Carth wasn't looking; he brushed it with his lips. "See Champ? Things aren't so bad."
"Yeah, I see, but what's with telling Carth about the butt shot? I thought you had enough ammunition?"
"I was bluffing."
Party on Kashyyyk
Carth turned to the Jedi sheepishly. "Bastila, are you likely to need me to fly in the next 24?"
"Probably not," She answered truthfully. The likelihood of them getting away from the raucous celebrations before the official end of the night was looking slim. After being patted in the head for the umpteenth time, Bastila had decided to hide from grateful Wookiee paws behind Carth.
"You wanna drink, Republic?" Canderous offered. He was sculling the wine like water and had just downed his fourth tankard.
"If it's ok with the boss," Carth said, looking to the Jedi.
Pol knew he meant Bastila, but she replied anyways, "Oh, go on, have one, you've more than earned it, flyboy. Besides, Bastila and I both fly and we're not drinking." Bastila nodded, relieved that Pol wouldn't be drinking.
"Then I accept, thanks Canderous." Carth said civilly. As it happened, Canderous was correct about the potency of Wookiee drink. Not having any cybernetic enhancements to fall back on, it hit Carth harder than… A thing that hits very hard. "Whoa, that's strong! How can you drink it like that?" He asked, choking on the fumes of the fermented swill.
"I have to, if I want to get any affect." Canderous said downing another. He had attracted a group of juvenile Wookiee males, and they were placing bets on how long the Mandalorian would remain standing. "It won't last long though, if I don't keep drinking. The implant cleans it up too quickly." He slammed down another cup and was handed a fresh tankard by one of his backers.
(Why isn't he falling down?) A shaggy grey lout asked.
(I don't know, Gwooorah.) Groaned Hurrir (He just keeps drinking. Indiharrr is taking bets, but save your credits. I think it may be some Jedi trick.)
(I fought alongside him in the strike. He is a Mandalorian, not a Jedi. 20 credits says he will fall after the next drink.) Woofled Indiharrr, as he slapped Canderous on the back for encouragement.
(He is still talking; I bet 50 he can drink 3 more before he falls over. Quick get him another!) Another ruffian growled excitedly.
Jolee laughed at the exchange. "That's a shame, there are some times when it is just better to drink and not think." Jolee said sagaciously. Carth nodded and gave the tankard his best hit, while the crowd of Wookiee adolescents cheered him on. They had found a new human to wager on.
Pol cackled. Clearly these younglings didn't understand a lot of basic. She considered translating, but thought better of it when Carth set to pickling his liver. She placed her own bet, "100 credits says he has to be carried back to the Hawk after three."
"So you can't get drunk?" Carth asked, his head buzzing happily with the fruity fermentation.
"No, not on the usual sluice juice. High ranking warriors need to be alert at all times; we don't usually drink at all." Canderous explained.
"But you are a 'lert' Chief, I already told you that." Pol snickered.
"Ha-ha, and Pol is the sweet faced, homeless helping, tach cuddling scourge of the galaxy." He sneered.
"Oh, that must be why 'no one is ever pleased to see me'." Pol jibed.
"I was this morning." Canderous drawled in sleazy Mandalorian vernacular. Hmm… I'm definitely getting a kick out of this fortified junk. I wonder if they'll sell me some.
Tired of the testosterone, and not terribly impressed by Canderous's boozy flirting, Pol slipped off the bear sized chair and went to find the rest of 'team floozy.' "I'm off to gather the girls. Jolee let me know if I win or lose anything."
"Okie dokie, Pol," Jolee agreed, and then went to seek out the Wookiee with his own ante, of 40 credits in hand.
…
As Bastila reeled after another gravity-defying Wookiee hug, she was glad to see Pol coming towards her. Oh good, she can translate and maybe ask them to stop man… err woman… err Wookiee-handling me.
"Hey Bastila, I see you've made some friends?" Pol pointed to the wookiee women surrounding the diminutive Jedi.
"Yes, it would seem so. I have no idea what they are saying, or if they understand me; but they seem friendly. What are those bloody stupid males doing now? Still grogging their brain cells into oblivion?"
"Yup still at it." Pol tuned into the Wookiee women's discussion.
(Zaalbar's little Twi'lek child is a treasure, her name is Mission.) One said with a clucky croon. It seemed Zaalbar had upped his appeal as a mate by compassionately adopting out of his species. The general consensus was that Zaalbar was a big sweetie and a damn good catch. They were discussing Bastila now, and Pol listened keenly.
(She is so hairless! How will she ever keep her babies warm?) A mature female worried aloud as she took in Bastila's clothing with an analytical eye. Pol giggled, she sat on one hand, holding her tender cheek as she laughed. Bastila with babies!
(I like the little Jedi best of all. I shall call her Wenhrrii-tot, because she is so little and fierce, and she is cranky to her men.) The young Wookiee female laughed and patted Bastila again. Unlike the males, they had a caring touch with their hands and were conscientious about not upsetting Bastila's 'head fur'.
Pol lost it and guffawed riotously. "They understand you a bit." Pol said with a laugh. "They think you're cute and cranky. Hee hee!"
"Oh dear. Pol, have you been drinking that awful stuff too?"
"Nope, you would know if I had, Bastie. I'm just happy." And that's too funny! Wenhrrii-tot! I HAVE to tell Zaalbar that one.
"Hello, ladies." Juhani greeted, she and Mission had been talking to Freyyr and the elder mothers of the tribe. Mission had wanted to find out who the most likely match for Big-Z was when he returned from his travels. It had turned out to be a slightly built, but robust female called Hwirrolyn.
"Awesome, the whole of team floozy is here." Pol grinned. Ahh… good company, great music, a lull in the battle, a cheap laugh at Bastila's expense, and an aching leg from embarrassing wound, who could ask for more?
"Mission is too young to be a floozy," Bastila stated ethically. Mission pouted.
"And you are too classy, and you're a Jedi!" Pol argued. Bastila fought the smile that threatened to crack her stern façade.
"Bastila is in training, and Mission can be our mascot." Juhani laughed.
Mission brightened. "Thanks Ju, hey any chance I could have a lightsaber too? Hey, I'm just kidding Bastila." She giggled and took off to dance with Zaalbar.