Chapter 6 – Of Trees and Tachs
"Just what in the hell have you done to my ship, Jaq?" demanded Revan brusquely, her fists firmly planted on her hips. She glared at Atton's direction, as the latter and Carth stared in dismay at the light that suspiciously flashed on the control panel. Atton turned his head toward Revan and glowered at her. 'Her' ship… Always 'her' ship.
"Hey, lady, I'll have you notice I wasn't anywhere near the cockpit when this happened. Why don't you ask your boy toy? This ship was working just fine when I flew her."
"Just fine, you say? Right. Was that before or after you crash landed on Malachor V?" she replied, pursing her lips. T3, who had entered the cockpit to investigate, immediately turned around and rolled out, beeping in a manner that was reminiscent of someone whistling innocently.
Atton turned red. "It was fixed! There was no problem with it! It even got us away from the planet as it blew up! I got us away from the planet as it blew up. It…"
"People, please!" interrupted Carth authoritatively, stepping in between the two. "As much as I love hearing to you two bicker incessantly, we have to make a decision. Now, I looked at the galaxy map, and I think our best bet would be to aim for Kashyyyk."
"Kashyyyk?" asked Atton incredulously. "The Wookiee planet? Why would we want to go there? It's just a bunch of… Wookiees!"
"Really?" quipped Revan. "I'm glad you were here with this little bit of knowledge, because I certainly didn't know!" She rolled her eyes. "Well, I for one think it's an excellent idea… We know people there. And by people, I mean Wookiees, of course. Carth and I helped them out back in the day. They like us," she emphasized, implying that she didn't expect Atton to be well liked. "Besides, it's not as though we have much of a choice. I know we'll be able to get help down there, and we'll be able to fix our ship. I can't say the same about any of the other planets we may encounter if we're lucky." She coldly turned away from Atton and toward the Admiral. "Go with Kashyyyk, Carth," she instructed.
Atton seemed unimpressed to say the least. "You don't have to agree with him just because he's the only one here who likes you. I know you're whipped, but come on! Do I even get a say in this?" he asked vainly.
"No!" snapped Revan, settling down into the co-pilot's chair.
"All right… but I know I'm going to regret this," grumbled Atton. Maybe if the Czerka Corporation was still there, we'd be able to get someone to fix this ship, but as it stands… At least Jena used to listen to my advice… for the most part. He blinked a few times. Okay, maybe not for the most part, but she did once or twice… I think…
Carth began landing proceedings, helped by Revan, and Atton left the cockpit in a huff. Great. Just great. Now it's going to take us that much longer to get to Jena. What's even better, I can't even understand a damn word those Wookiees say. This'll be a fun stay. Where is that tin can? Why can't it fix the bloody hyperdrive? What good is having that thing around if it can't do simple repairs? The entertainment value?
Atton, still silently raging, stepped into the main hold, only to see Mical come out of hiding. "Atton, what is happening?" he asked, puzzled.
"We're landing," said Atton bitterly. "On Kashyyyk. Apparently we weren't getting to Jena slow enough, now we have to go visit some walking carpets."
Mical frowned. "Why are we landing? I thought the only planned stop was on Coruscant." He peered at Atton suspiciously, as though he thought the latter somehow had something to do with the unplanned stopover.
"Don't look at me!Tell that to them!" exploded Atton. "Apparently the hyperdrive's shot. Again. I guess they don't think we can repair it up here. I thought Bao-Dur fixed that damn thing."
"Well, he did, but it was over a year ago…" replied Mical thoughtfully. "And the Ebon Hawk did travel to the Unknown Regions afterwards and remained there, likely with no one to check if…"
Atton threw his arms up in exasperation. "Why do you always have to be so damn reasonable?" he spat. "I can't even complain in peace with you around. I'll bet you can even understand those screams Wookiees call a language."
Mical looked like he tried hard to repress a smile. "Yes, now that you mention it, I can."
"Of course you can," said Atton, further aggravated by Mical's vain attempts to conceal his satisfaction over Atton's plight. "Great. I bet I'll be the only one who won't be able to understand what's being said. Well, at least I won't be expected to talk. The only run-in I've ever had with a Wookiee has been unpleasant, to say the least, mostly due to the small matter of miscommunication." He lifted his left sleeve and showed off a large scar above his elbow. Greatly annoyed, he pulled his sleeve down again and turned to walk away, only to see Revan and Carth coming out of the cockpit.
"All right, we've landed," stated Revan dryly. "Let's go see the Wookiee chief to see if he can get us some help,"
Atton hesitated. As Revan walked briskly past him, he grabbed her sleeve and reluctantly said, "Um… Rev? I'll… um… I'll be staying aboard the ship. I don't exactly understand Wookiees when they… talk… or scream… or… whatever it is that they do."
Revan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Yeah, I kind of gathered that when you described the planet as 'just a bunch of Wookiees'. No, I'd like you to come with us, young padawan." Atton glared at her scornfully. "Don't worry," she added with mischievous eyes. "We have a translator on board."
"Who? You mean Mical?" Atton laughed sarcastically, turning his eyes toward the green-robed Jedi making his way to the exit ramp.. "No offence, lady, but I don't think he'll be interested in…"
Revan waved her hand dismissively at Atton, and still smirking, turned around and beckoned in the direction of the corridor leading to the cockpit. What? Who, Dustil? Where…? His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he saw red eyes peering at him from the shadows.
"Query: Did you need me for something, master?" said a voice coming from that direction. Oh, no…don't tell me…
"Yes, HK… Atton here doesn't appear to understand Wookiees. I want you to stick by him, translate for him, and make sure he doesn't screw up by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person… or Wookiee."
"Acknowledgement: As you wish, master. It will be my pleasure to ensure that the meatbag Rand is not out of line." His red eyes shone brightly.
Atton glared at Revan. "You're getting that killing machine to baby-sit me? You vindictive SCHUTTA! That's it." He folded his arms determinedly. "I am not stepping off the ship."
"Oh yes you are," warned Revan, her tone dangerously reminding Atton of that belonging to a certain Dark Lord of the Sith he used to be acquainted with. Atton wisely opted to keep quiet and to follow Revan without any further discussion. Besides… if I aggravate her enough, she's likely to snap and sic her attack droid on me. I'm not really buying this total redemption act of hers. Sure, I may have done some pretty bad stuff, but what I've done is nothing compared to what she did.
As they stepped off the ship, Atton hung around toward the back of the group and eyed HK apprehensively. You can't give this thing a reason to shoot you, Rand. I mean, you heard what the crazy schutta said… 'make sure he doesn't screw up by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person'… She might as well have told the thing to shoot me if I open my mouth. He shook his head. All that because I got into an argument with her and accused her of only wanting to come here because pretty boy Carth told her to. She is petty! Redeemed, my ass!
He noticed two Wookiees heading toward them as soon as they set foot to the ground. This'll be fun. I get to deal with Wookiees and with the psychotic droid all at once. I find it strange that anyone would bother programming an assassination droid to be able to translate. But as Revan's the only who programmed this homicidal walking piece of rust, I won't even ask. The woman's insane. Why did I even accept to let her train me? I can't even blame the alcohol for getting me into that mess. There isn't a drop of anything on board. I would know – I've looked!
The Wookies voiced out something that vaguely reminded Atton of a badly oiled droid he once encountered. He cringed.
"Translation: They are surprised, but happy to see my master. They are offering to take our group directly to their chief."
"Well, isn't that nice…" commented Atton with a bitter smile. "Hey Rev," he called out. "Good thing you cut my hair! I wouldn't have wanted to make the wrong impression because of how shaggy I looked."
Revan shot him a black look. "Shut up, Jaq," she barked.
"And quit calling me that, already!" he snapped.
Mical turned and looked quizzically at Atton. "Atton?" he enquired. "Why does she call you Jaq?"
"Why don't you ask her Lordship?" Atton said sullenly. Addressing Revan, he spoke louder, "Right Rev? Why don't you explain to him exactly what you used to have me do for you?"
"That's enough, Atton," warned Revan sharply.
Atton quieted down, slightly shamed by his outburst, and annoyed at himself for feeling shamed. This is taking way too long. We should be halfway to the Unknown Regions by now.
"Query: Master…" tentatively began a voice behind him.
"No, HK," interrupted Revan, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "Leave him alone…" Her mischievous eyes locked with Atton's. "For now," she added defiantly. She turned and started once again to walk toward the Wookiee village. Atton quietly followed the group, painfully aware of his metallic shadow.
As they entered the chief's hut, Atton noticed an immediate change in demeanor on Revan's part. She seemed very happy… but also extremely surprised.
"Zaalbar!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know you were back here!"
The Wookiee growled a reply.
"Translation: The Wookiee chief has greeted my master and expressed his joy to see her again alive."
"What happened, Zaalbar?" enquired Revan, looking saddened. "What happened to Freyyr?"
Zaalbar growled again, slightly more subdued. He sounds… sad… but that's all I can figure out.
"Translation: The Wookie chief Freyyr has expired, roughly six standard months ago. Further Explanation: The Wookiee Freyyr was the current chief's father, and acquainted with my master."
Revan walked over to Zaalbar, put her hand on his arm, and said chokingly, "I'm really sorry to hear this, Zaalbar." The Wookiee made another sound.
"Translation: The Wookiee chief thanks my master for her kind words. He wishes to know the purpose of her visit. As would I, for as always, no one bothered to explain anything to me. Disappointed Observation: This does appear to be a… diplomatic visit."
"We need to fix our hyperdrive, Zaalbar… we're on our way to the Unknown Regions to rescue a friend of mine. Is there anyone here who can help us? Is Mission with you?" Zaalbar replied again and Revan seemed rather put out about something.
"Translation: He is sorry to hear of the circumstances surrounding my master's friend. He says that while the Twi'lek to whom my master was referring is not currently on Kashyyyk, he does know of someone in his tribe who may be able to help fix the ship's hyperdrive. He appears to deem it unwise to venture into the Unknown Regions without a reliable tech on board."
Zaalbar growled again.
"Translation: He says that while his technician has a look at our hyperdrive, we may wish to step down into the Shadowlands. He says we may find something of interest to my master, something that may help her on her quest. Hopeful Statement: Perhaps there I will be able to make myself truly useful by doing what I was programmed for instead of doing this demeaning translation task unworthy of my circuitry."
"We may find something of interest to us?" asked Atton suspiciously. "That's a little vague… I don't know if I want to start wandering the planet for something that may or may not interest us and that we may or may not find, when we could be off rescuing Jena."
Zaalbar replied.
"Translation: The chief says that his technician may take some time to get the repairs done, and he feels it would be important for my master to make her way down to the Shadowlands."
Atton shrugged. "Whatever. I don't know why I even bother anymore," he mumbled unpleasantly. HK flashed his eyes at him, and Atton quickly quieted down.
After Revan thanked Zaalbar and told him to let her know as soon as the repairs were done, the group stepped out of the hut and made their way toward the lift. Atton, leaving HK, Mical and Dustil behind, ran up to where Revan and Carth stood. "Look, Rev, do we even know what we're looking for? What that Wookiee said was pretty damn vague."
Revan smiled dreamily. "I think I know what we're looking for."
"Well, I'm glad one of us does," grumbled Atton.
Ignoring Atton, Revan turned around and grinned. "What do you think Carth? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Carth's face lit up. "Yeah, I think so, Liah. That's odd. I thought he said he was sick of looking at trees."
Revan shrugged and laughed. "You know how he gets! He complains most about the places and the people he cares about."
Carth laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right, beautiful," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Excuse me," interjected Atton, "not to interrupt this little lovers' trip down memory lane, but who are we talking about?"
Revan laughed and continued talking to Carth as though Atton had never spoken. "What do you think he'll think of our new friend?" she said, gesturing at Atton.
"It'll be interesting to watch, that's for sure," scoffed Carth.
"HEY!" said Atton louder. "I'm right here! If you're going to say things about me you could at least have the decency to wait until I'm out of earshot, or…" He stopped. Where have I heard this before? Didn't Rev… Oh great, now I'm starting to sound like her.
They came upon an area at the end of the boardwalk where hung a platform clearly meant to be a lift. They all boarded the lift, and Revan started lowering it into the depths of the Shadowlands. Atton kept his hand on his lightsaber. This place is giving me the creeps. I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that they only let their best hunters down here. It can't be safe. I wonder who this… guy they were talking about was. Not another Wookiee. Please don't let it be another Wookiee. I've seen enough Wookiees to last me a lifetime.
They stepped off the lift and looked around. It was quiet. Quiet and creepy. What's with the haze everywhere? It's like we're on the set of some bad horror holovid. They started walking, Atton cautiously treading, rather uneasy about HK's presence right behind him. Revan appeared to know exactly where she was going. Or at least I hope she does. What in the Force is that thing? Atton disgustedly flicked a large insect off his shoulder. How familiar this scene seems…damp and dreary and bugs the size of my fist landing on me. Just like Dxun. This planet is just way too humid. At least this time we don't have to gut cannoks. Now what…? Okay, now that bug I can't flick.
"Kinrath," mumbled Revan with a slightly disgusted look on her face. "Great. Jaq, get your ass over here. You need the practice more than any of us."
Atton sighed and pulled out his lightsaber. Is this 'pick on Jaq' day? I bloody hate kinrath. I hated them on Dantooine, and I hate them here. He promptly attacked both kinrath that had crept up on them, while everyone else just stood by and watched. As he finished off the first one, he noticed that the second one was aiming its venomous sting at his leg. He moved his leg back and in one swift move, beheaded the second kinrath. He wrinkled his nose as some of the kinrath's venom sprayed onto his robe. Well, at least I hadn't gotten around to washing the robe yet…After the oversized insect fell dead, he turned and commented begrudgingly, "Gee, thanks for the help, guys."
Revan looked unconcerned. "Like I said, Jaq, you're the one who needs the practice. Now where was… it should be just around this corner. Ah! There it is!" She smiled. In front of them was a small hut that looked like it had grown from the ground rather than had been built. Who – or what – would possibly want to live down here? This has to be a Wookiee – nothing else alive that crazy to… An old bald man in Jedi robes walked out of the hut to investigate the commotion.
"Now what's going on…" he began. He stopped and looked at the group. "Liah! Carth! Well, it's about time you paid an old man a visit! I can only stare at trees and count tachs to kill time for so long, you know!" Atton noticed the lightsaber hanging from his belt. It's worse than another Wookiee. It's another Jedi.
"Shut up, old man!" said Revan, laughing. "I had no idea you were back on Kashyyyk! We had to do an emergency landing… We're actually on our way to the Unknown Regions."
"The Unknown Regions?" the old man said slowly, looking puzzled. "I thought you already were in the Unknown Regions. Shows how accurate are the news I get around these parts."
"No, that was right… I was there," smiled Revan.
"So…" began the old man, gesturing toward Carth and Dustil, "you liked it so much you thought you'd go back on a little family vacation? And this time with some new people to irritate, to boot?"
Revan checked herself. "Oh, I'm sorry… You remember Dustil… this is Atton, and that's Mical. Guys, this is Jolee Bindo."
Jolee Bindo? Why does that remind me…Jena… she told me…"Destiny," mumbled Atton half to himself.
"What was that, son?" asked Jolee, facing Atton.
"Nothing." Atton was slightly flustered. "My… master mentioned you once… she said you had a good story about destiny, and how it doesn't always turn out the way you think."
Jolee peered curiously at him. "Is that so? And who's this master of yours?"
"Jena Shel," replied Atton briefly, desperately trying not to blush under the old man's gaze.
"Jena… Jena… Ah yes, I remember Jena… pretty girl. Very short. I met her… let me think… why, that must've been before the Mandalorian Wars! And she's your master? Huh!" He studied Atton depreciatingly. "She might want to consider teaching you how to clean your robe… what did you do, fall into a gutter on Nar Shaddaa?"
Atton raised an eyebrow. "Actually, yes. Several times." He crossed his arms and gazed smugly at Jolee, as Mical snorted. Jolee met Atton's gaze and they wordlessly stared at each other for a moment. Jolee grunted to conceal a smile, and turned to look at Mical. His eyes rested on the latter for a few seconds. He frowned slightly, but said nothing. He then turned again and addressed Revan.
"So, are you ever going to explain why you're going back to the Unknown Regions, or am I just supposed to guess? I'm getting a little old to be playing these games…"
Carth jumped in. "We're going there to rescue Mical and Atton's master, Jena. She went there to help out Liah, and she seems to have… disappeared."
Jolee arched his eyebrows in surprise and amusement. "Jena has two padawans?"
"Actually, she has four," interjected Atton still looking smug. "Us, a bounty hunter named Mira, and an Iridonian named Bao-Dur."
"Well, isn't that interesting," commented Jolee, staring curiously and inexplicably at Mical again.
"What do you say, old man, do you want to join us on our adventure?" laughed Carth.
Jolee chuckled. "Oh, my adventuring days are long past, I'm afraid, sonny-boy. That little bit of running around I did with you kids last time was more than enough for me. I'm old and tired. Too old and tired to be prancing around the galaxy with youngsters like you. Though if you're absolutely looking for someone to bring along, you might consider bringing my student with you, if she's willing. I think she's getting bored here."
"Student?" wondered Revan. "You have a student?"
Jolee shrugged. "Like I said, I got tired of staring at trees and counting tachs. Anyway, if you want to meet her, she should be back any minute. I sent her out to… dispose… of some poachers."
"Atton Rand, you son of a schutta!" exclaimed a voice behind them.
They turned, but before Atton had a chance to react, he was violently tackled to the ground.