Chapter Twenty Five-Rescue and Redemption
Bao-dur stood atop an incline looking down at the scene that lay before him. He scratched his head, and ambled slowly down, to where the dust lay messed up in great swirls. He stopped, and crouching down her examined the marks in the dirt. Strange, he thought, there are signs of a scuffle, but no bodies or blood. He glanced up and looked around him; sets of footsteps led off before him, but only one set led directly behind him, the way that he had come. And they are not mine. Boa-dur stood up, and squinting his eyes in the light, he saw the sun reflect off a cylindrical object at the edge of the dust bowl, before the terrain led off into the ever present scrubland.
He rushed over, and stooping down, he plucked it from the dirt, wiping the dust of it onto his trousers. A lightsaber, Mical's by the looks of it. Bao-dur frowned, what is he doing without it? It looks like it has been dropped in a fight. He slipped it into his pocket, his mind suddenly full of concern for the blonde Jedi.
He rubbed his hand across his chin in a thoughtful manner, his eyes glowing darkly as he gazed back across the way he had come. There has to be something else. What happened here, and why did Atton get away from the Sith and Mical didn't? He traipsed back up the incline, stopping as he saw a palm sized pebble with a black mark shining against the dull grey of the stones surface. He sat down on the ground next to it, and picked it up, turning it over in his hand. Blood, that was the staining on it. He placed the stone back where he found it, then grimaced as he saw something black in the dirt. He dug at it with his hands, frowning as he pulled a small blaster from the ground. He checked the energy cell-recently fired.
He shook his head, "Oh Atton," he sighed as the realisation of what happened hit him. "I shouldn't have left the General with you…" He stood up quickly, dropping the blaster to the ground, and raced off in the direction that they had taken.
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Jennra woke up, struggling against the tight bonds that bound her hands behind her back. She gazed up into a pair of concerned grey eyes. "Canderous, let me go," she hissed.
"No chance, Exile. Don't even ask." He held a water bottle to her mouth, "Drink, you are going to need it."
She drank from the bottle, glaring at the Mandalorian hatefully. Water dribbled down the side of her mouth as she twisted to be free from the bottle, "What's happening? Why have you bound me?" Her head throbbed, and her eyes clouded momentarily with pain.
"You will have a headache for a while," Canderous replied as he stood over her, and examined the bump at the back of her head, "But no harm has been done."
"No harm?" she spluttered, "Fool Mandalorian. You should have let me kill him!" she hissed as she saw Atton walk past her.
"Exile? Shut up," Canderous glowered at her, "I will not have you two fight again, not while I am around. Besides, you will need to reserve your energy-we have one hell of a hike in front of us, and you can make it easier for yourself if you behave yourself."
Jennra spat at him, smiling as the Mandalorian wiped it off his black shirt, "Let me go then," she demanded hotly.
The Mandalorian stood up close to her, and grinned down at her menacingly, "Do I have to baby sit you or…?"
"Or what?"
"Push me and find out, Jedi," he goaded.
Atton came across, "Enough of this. Canderous, if we are to go, we should leave now, while the light is still in our favour."
Canderous nodded, and shoved Jennra in front of him, "Move your legs, Exile. We have far to travel."
Jennra stumbled as he pushed her again, "There's no need to shove, I can walk," she complained angrily.
He leant over her shoulder, his breath warm against her ear, "Then I suggest that you do so, without complaining, or I will be forced to gag that pretty little mouth of yours. Now move it, Exile!" he pushed her again, a wry smile on his lips.
"Is that necessary, Canderous?" Atton quietly asked, "I don't like seeing her this way."
"You have an alternative, Atton? "He watched the younger man interestedly, "No, I guessed not. Let me do things my way."
"Alright!" Atton threw his hands up in the air, "but don't be so hard on her. It's not her fault." Its mine.
Jennra glared as she marched along the dusty terrain. How dare they…who the hell do they think they are? She glanced down, and noticed that her saber had been removed. Now they treat me like a child. I will make them pay for this humiliation.
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Bao-dur reached the temple at the dead of night. His clothes felt damp as he had sweated through them in his haste to find the Exile. He saw the remains of a camp, and walking towards it, he noticed that it had been recently abandoned. Damn it, he thought in annoyance. He scouted around, and saw several sets of footsteps leading back the way the he had come. Crouching in the dirt, he ran his hands through the dust, noting that the thin soil had not been disturbed by the low wind that breezed, not been gone that long. I may have a chance of catching up with them, if I hurry.
He reached into his pack, and took a long swig from his water bottle, pouring some of the water over his head, where it dampened blackly in to his green shirt. I must find the General, and tell her what has happened. He pulled the saber from his pocket, staring at the ornate hilt as it gleamed in the slight light given off by the moon. If anything, for his sake, he thought as he shoved the saber back into the depths of his trouser pocket.
He sighed deeply, looking back the way he had come, and with his head bent, he followed the tracks out from the camp, running as he saw the tracks stretch out before him in the distance.
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They had stopped for a while, resting under one of the strange gnarled trees that littered the plateau. The sun bore down on them intensely. Jennra lay on her back, with her eyes closed, listening to the voices of the two men as they talked in low voices near to her.
"Do you think it will make any difference, I mean finding him?"
"Well, what do you think, Atton? You put him there, didn't you? So what was the reasoning behind that, eh?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh come now, tell me, or I will squeeze the truth from out of you," Canderous growled.
"I thought it was in her best interest…."
The Mandalorian leader laughed loudly, "And how the hell did you come to that assumption?"
"I thought she wanted me, I thought we belonged together. Now I see that I was wrong. Very wrong. Look, I'm not proud of what I have done to her, or him. I want to put things right."
Canderous pursed his lips, "I suppose we have all done things that we are not proud of, all for the sake of a young lady, or the thought of a glorious battle."
"Want to talk about it, huh?" Atton smiled.
"No."
"She showed me through the Force…she thought that I was him," Atton replied quietly, his face burning with shame, "I didn't know. It's strange to see someone you thought that was all wrong, to see them with someone else's eyes, and know that yes, they are right. They are right for that person, even if it's not what you wish to see, or should have seen. It was a private moment, and I was the intruder." He gazed into the distance, ignoring the look of surprise on the Mandalorians face.
"That is something that we Mandalorians never see. I don't know how you Jedi cope with knowing so much, and seeing so much. I would rather gouge my eyes out than know what my future brings," Canderous replied matter of factly.
"It is a great gift for the Jedi, and something that should never be abused. Except, I abused it, on more than one occasion. I am not proud. Hell, I even question if I should be a Jedi, but once you are opened to the Force, there is no going back…" Atton looked at Canderous with a look of embarrassment. "For space sake, why the hell am I even telling you?" He stood up abruptly, and stalked angrily across the camp.
Jennra struggled to get herself to a sitting position, "So what's happening, Canderous?" she inquired silkily.
"None of your business, Exile."
Jennra looked at him curiously, and then started as she saw a familiar figure in the distance. "I see we have a visitor," she replied laughing quietly.
Canderous rose to his feet, and gripping his blaster he followed Atton. He watched as he saw the Zabrak run up to them, and gasped as Bao-dur came across to Atton angrily, raise his fist, and punch the young Jedi to the ground. Atton sat sprawled in the dirt, "What the hell was that for?" he shouted as he rubbed at his jaw.
Bao-dur reached down, and grabbed Atton by the lapels of his ribbed jacket, pulling him harshly to his feet. "Want to tell me what this is about, Atton?" he thrust Mical's lightsaber in his face, glaring at him in indignant anger, "Explain, Atton, or so help me…"
"Hey, cool this down!" Canderous stepped in between the Jedi and the angry Zabrak. He turned to Atton, "What is this about?"
"I set him up, alright?" he pushed Bao-dur away from him, "I did it, okay? And that's where we are going now, to rescue him."
"He wouldn't need rescuing if it wasn't for you! Why Atton, why do it?"
Atton glanced down at the ground, shaking his head, "It's a long story, Bao-dur. One that I am not very proud of…."
"Where's the General?" Bao-dur glanced across the camp, and spotted Jennra propped up against a tree. He walked over to her, "You alright?" he asked gently.
Jennra nodded as she gazed up into his earnest brown eyes. Oh Bao-dur, what have you been doing? She thought wondering.
"Why the hell is she tied up?" Bao-dur shouted his face full of amazement, "I think someone needs to tell me what is going on here!"
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Canderous, Atton and Bao-dur sat huddled in a semi circle, some way from Jennra as they discussed what had happened. Occasionally, Bao-dur would lift his eyes and stare across at her, the looks he gave her full of concern.
"One thing that I will insist on is that you untie her. You cannot treat her this way. She is not some wild animal. Give her over to my care-I will be responsible for her."
"How do you know that she won't attack us again?" Atton hissed.
"Because I know the General," Bao-dur smiled gently, "She will not hurt me. I will talk to her."
Canderous nodded briefly, "But any more Jedi tricks and I will hurt her. Understand?"
Bao-dur glanced briefly at him, "I understand," he said quietly, as he stood and walked across to where she sat. "Now hold on, General. I will untie you."
Jennra nodded at him, "Alright. I will behave, I promise you, Bao-dur."
He stared down into her dark eyes, and shook his head as he reached behind her and undid her bonds. "I am sorry for what has happened, General. I feel that if I had not left you, then this would not have happened."
She reached up, and touched his face with her hand, "It is not your fault, Bao-dur. No one is really to blame, except for him," her face glowed as she stared at Atton.
"None of this is important, General. What is important is that we find Mical…"
Jennra turned away from him, "What is the point in that? He is dead," she replied deadpan.
Bao-dur placed his hand gently on her arm, "Do you believe that? Truly believe that he is dead? Search yourself. Only you can know if that is true."
"I had a vision, some time ago, Bao. I saw him tortured, he couldn't hold out any longer. What if it is true?" a lone tear slipped down her cheek.
"But what if it isn't, General? There is always a chance…"
"No, I don't believe it," she replied sullenly.
Bao-dur reached out and pulled her to him, "General. I have never known you to give up on something. Don't do this now. I think he lives…"
Jennra stared up at him, "Do you…could he still be alive?"
He nodded, "There is always a chance. He is strong, General. Give him more credit than you have done. If anything, I believe he will live still because of you."
Jennra smiled at him sadly, "But if we find him, what then? What about Atton?"
"I promise you, that when we find him, you do what you think is best. I will follow you, General, no matter what. But you are needed to find him-you have been inside the facility. If anyone can find him, then it will be you. Just have a little faith."
Jennra gazed past him and nodded slowly, "Alright. When are we leaving?"
"When you are ready, General. Perhaps you can give him this when we find him," he handed her Mical's lightsaber.
She took it from him, holding the hilt tightly in her hand, as unbidden tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked up at Bao-dur and smiled wanly, "Thank you, for keeping this safe."
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Night fell quickly as they slowly approached the immense Sith facility. The guard towers were a hive of activity. Canderous gripped his blaster tightly, his face glowing strangely in the dark. Large clouds flittered across the skyline, momentarily blocking the faint light given off from the moon.
Canderous sloped down the hillside as he approached the others. "There is a lot of cloud cover, we should make our way down, and wait for sufficient cover. I suggest we go down in pairs. Exile, you go with the Zabrak, and Atton can come with me."
"Gee thanks," Atton remarked humourlessly.
Jennra nodded her agreement, "We will go first, as I know the way. Ready Bao?"
They turned to leave, when Jennra felt a firm hand grip her shoulder, "You better take this, Exile," Canderous breathed at her as he handed her lightsaber. She took it off him without looking at him. "Exile, be careful." She paused, and then turned to Bao-dur, "Come on." They scrambled down the hillside, and waited in the deep shadows at the bottom.
Jennra waited for the sky to cloud over, and turning to the Bao-dur, she pointed soundlessly at the base of the sentry posts. They crouched down, and ran along the base, not stopping until they came to the side door that led to the inside of the Sith facility. They paused and waited for Canderous and Atton to join them.
She tentatively pushed the door open, holding her breath as she stepped into the dark shadows. "Be careful of the droids," she whispered to the men surrounding her, "I got past them with a stealth shield generator. We are not so fortunate to have that luxury with us this time." She turned and walked slowly down the long dark corridor, Bao-dur close behind her, his blaster pistols in his hands at the ready.
The steady clatter of marching feet froze her to the spot. She felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and half turning, she stared into the steady gaze of the Zabrak. She smiled at him briefly, then summoned the Force up inside of her, counting the Sith outside the corridor. Damn it-too many, she thought worriedly, we are trapped here.
The sudden sound of a klaxon blared sharply, and the sound of marching feet intensified, and then passed them by. The corridor echoed with their passing. Atton glanced at Canderous, who shook his head at him. Reaching down, Atton pulled his lightsaber from his pouch, and held it tightly.
"Ca you sense him, General?" Bao-dur whispered in her ear.
She shook her head, "There's too much disturbance at the moment. I need a little time…"
"We are running out of time, Exile. Do you sense him, or not?"
She glared at the Mandalorian leader, "Wait," she hissed, holding her hand up. She closed her eyes, and felt for Mical's presence. The Force swirled darkly around her, and slowly, she became aware of his presence, some distance from where they where stood. "Yes," she murmured, "It is weak, but I feel him…." her heart drummed in her chest as she sensed him, and smiling slowly, she pushed open the door, and stepped into the brightly lit corridor.
"Dammit!" she yelled, as several Sith rounded the far corner. She ignited her saber, and silently ran at them, the yellow blade slashing and hacking at the black clad figures around her. She fought them with such a fury, that it was Atton who placed his hand on her arm, "They are dead, Jennra," he replied quietly, his face an unreadable mask, "You have killed them all." She stood surveying the mass of bodies at her feet, and sighing, she turned her saber off.
Canderous looked at her with respect on his face, "That was something, Exile," he grinned, "We better move quickly-these Sith will surely be missed."
"Yes, you are right. Come, it's down this way," She beckoned to them with one hand as she turned and ran down the corridor.
They silently trooped after her, stopping as they came to a corner in the corridor. Jennra paused, her face screwed up as she sensed though the Force the next direction to take. "There are so many rooms in this damned facility," she shook her head in annoyance, "It is hard to find where he is…no, wait…it's this way, follow me," she snuck around the corner, frowning as she saw the empty space in front of her. No Sith? She shrugged the thought away from her.
Canderous prowled to the rear, his blaster rifle at the ready. He had strapped a Sith scimitar to his leg, and he walked cautiously, his eyes narrowed as he anticipated the fight ahead. He could feel the battle lust warm his blood and he sighed with impatience. He glanced across at Atton; the Jedi had his saber drawn, his face a mask of concentration. He saw the Mandalorian looking at him and he gave him a tight small nod of the head, his brown eyes glittering dangerously.
Jennra stalked down the corridor, her eyes scanning the empty rooms as they passed them by.
"Looks like something is going down here, General."
"Yes, but what? Can you feel the sense of anticipation? Something is happening…but I don't know what."
"Looks like they are preparing for an invasion….or, maybe for war, General?"
"Could be, Bao-dur. But a war? With whom?"
Bao-dur went to reply, but she held her hand up, "Shhh." she crept along the wall, her saber glowing brightly in her hand. She peered round a door, "Droid," she whispered, indicating the door. Canderous came alongside her, "Let me take this out." Before she could reply, the Mandalorian had walked into the room. Bursts of blaster fire erupted around the room, and Jennra ran in, with her saber arcing above her head. A great war droid lay in wait, its shielding glowing red about its crab like body. Sparks flew from it as orange plasma erupted around its shell. Jennra let fly with her saber, smiling with satisfaction as she saw its body erupt in flames, and the droid slumped heavily to the ground with a loud metallic clatter.
Several small locked doors appeared to her right as she walked further down the corridor. She closed her eyes, and felt the Force rise up inside her quickly. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest, and she walked up to each door, running her hands over the cold metal. She shook her head, touching each one, until she came to the last door.
She stood staring at it, indecision running through her veins like cool water.
"General, what is it?" Bao-dur inquired gently at her side.
Jennra glanced up at him, biting her lip nervously, "He is in there, Bao."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"I'm afraid of what I will find…"she replied tearfully.
Bao-dur ran his hands along the door frame, "There looks like there's no visible way in…"
"Use the Force, Jennra," Atton urged her.
She turned and glared at him, "If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't be here!"
Canderous pushed her to the side, "This is not the time or place for this!" he glared at her, his eyes glowing menacingly, "Just open the damned door, Jedi."
Jennra turned to the door, and focused the Force. The man inside the room was interrupting the flow, and she ignored his presence, instead visualising on the inner mechanics of the large locked door. Sweat gleamed on her brow as she concentrated, then suddenly, she heard a click, and the door silently swung open.
She stood there, gazing at the figure that sat hunched on a low wooden bench. She ran into the narrow cell like room, and dropped heavily to her knees in front of him. His head was bowed down, and tentatively, she reached up, and touched his shoulder, pulling her hand back in alarm as he recoiled from her. She turned and looked across at Bao-dur who was stood in the door way with Atton and Canderous. His gaze was intense as he stared back at her, "General," he whispered, "Hurry."
Jennra turned back to the man before her, "Mical?" she whispered.
He turned and slowly raised his head to face her. Jennra gasped as she saw the dark bruising that covered his face. A great ragged cut ran down his cheek, and congealed blood marked the side of his bruised mouth. His eyes glowed dully at her, their sockets rimmed deep red.
"Mical….what has happened to you?" she reached out a hand and cupped his face gently, pushing herself off her knees to sit next to him. "Oh what have they done to you?" tears ran down her cheeks.
He stared at her apathetically, "It is too late," he replied hoarsely, "They know," he turned his head away from her, and stared at the wall.
"Mical, please," she beseeched him,
"I have failed!" he pushed her away from him, "I have failed them all," he whispered, "Don't you understand? It is my fault. All my fault!"
Jennra pulled him to her, resisting his attempts to withdraw from her. She held him tightly as she felt his head rest against her shoulder and his hot tears splashed against her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing the side of his head as she felt his pain tear through her, and through the Force. She clung to him as she felt the torrent slowly ebb away.
Reluctantly, she moved away from him, staring into his eyes, "What is it, Mical? Please tell me."
He glanced at her, his eyes full of shame, "They know about the academy. They know about Dantooine…they want to kill all Jedi, and I have sent them there…"
Jennra backed away in confusion, "What do you mean….they know?"
Mical glanced down at his hands, "They are going to attack. Already they are leaving. They are on their way to Republic space…I fear that eliminating the last of the Jedi will not be enough for them. They are hungry-they are desperate…"
"Desperate, for what?"
"Revenge, Jennra. They seek revenge."
Jennra gazed across at Canderous horrified, "Then we must warn them….Revan…"
"It will not be enough. They are leaving. They have been waiting for this for so long. Nothing will stop them. And this, this is a trap," he gazed at her with pleading in his eyes, "They knew that you would come for me. I did not want you here, damn you! Now they will kill you too. They have sent patrols to the hills looking for the ones that travelled in search of the Exile. I am sorry, Jennra. I have failed the Republic, the Jedi….and I have failed you."
She reached across and took his hands in her own. She stared into his eyes, "No, you have not failed, Mical." she leant across and kissed him gently, "There is still time…." She stood away from him, and walked towards the doorway.
"Atton, you want redemption?" she demanded, "Then do this. Do this for us all."
Atton looked at her, "What is it?" he asked fearfully.
"Go from here, warn Revan. Bao-dur, the Ebon Hawk. Do you think the ship is functional?"
Bao-dur stood to alert, "Yes, General. At least she should last a flight from here…."
"Then go with Atton. Get the ship ready…warn Admiral Onasi and the academy. But please, hurry…."
"How can you hope to get there before they do?" Canderous barked at her.
"The Ebon Hawk is the fastest ship in the galaxy, yes Atton?"
Atton nodded, a slow smile forming on his lips, "Yes, she is…and you need a good pilot."
"Canderous, are you up for a fight?"
The Mandalorian chuckled dryly, "I am always ready for a glorious battle, Exile!"
"Good, then I have need of you. Mical?" she turned to him, and placed her hand gently on his shoulder, "Are you alright for what comes next?"
He nodded his head miserably, "Yes…I guess."
"Then you will have need of this," she held his lightsaber out to him, watching as he took it from her.
"Atton, Bao-dur, go now. Warn Revan, and get to the Hawk. Now, please…"
"Will you be alright, General?" Bao-dur gazed at her worriedly, "I don't like to leave you…"
She nodded, "Yes, I will be fine now," she replied as she glanced down at the blonde haired Jedi who was slowly rising to his feet.
"Alright General," he saluted her, and turning, he ran from the room with Atton.
Canderous glanced at the two Jedi before him, "We better get ready. I don't think they are going to want to let you two escape so easily. But then," he laughed, "They haven't figured on the might of an old stubborn Mandalorian!"
A/N-This has taken such a long time to get to this point in the story, although all other chapters have been vital. Prepare for the story to really hot up, as the new threat reveals itself, and their motivations for attacking the Republic and the Jedi. Now the fight enters Republic space...Can Revan, Bao-dur and Atton prevail? And will the Exile win the fight on the unknown planet?