Slayers of the Old Republic

Book VI: Manaan

By Michael Weyer

The Republic Embassy was a large building set on the east side of the City. It was easy enough to find. A tall spire with doors guarded by Republic soldiers, and festooned with banners bearing the Republic seal. The guard at the door was a fresh-faced midshipman who took his job very seriously, taking retinal scans of all of them and inspecting their ID for any indications of tampering or counterfeit. Bastila's name-dropping of the Jedi Council and the presence of their lightsabers prompted the young guard to call directly to the office of the head diplomat and usher them to his office.

As much as Buffy had grumbled, Bastila had insisted they wear the traditional Jedi robes. With the planet officially neutral, there was no reason to hide what they were. However, Buffy wasn't happy finding herself back in traditional garb. "No wonder Juhani decided to track down Canderous," she remarked as she brushed the hood back.

"I think it had more to do with us realizing we sent a Mandalorian and an assassin droid into a city without supervision," Vance noted dryly.

Bastila gave them a look. "Both of you please let me do the talking. We should at least give the appearance we are professionals."

Buffy made a show of mock horror. "And ruin my rep?" Vance's smile just seemed to annoy Bastila further as they headed to the office.

The Head Diplomat for the Manaan Republic Embassy was Roland Wann, a thin, dark-skinned human who had been prematurely aged by the job and had all the unfortunate glibness of a career politician.

"Welcome to the Republic Embassy. As the official representative to this planet, I am here to help all citizens of the Republic should they require aid. If you've come seeking information on Ahto City itself, I regret that there is little I can tell you that is not in the visitor's guide. My duties rarely permit me to venture beyond the wall of the Republic Embassy." He steepled his fingers as he looked at them. "Remember, within the city itself, the Selkath have absolute authority. They're a tough race, but fair. Obey the Selkath laws, keep the peace, and you should encounter no problems."

"Actually, we are here on a mission from the Jedi Council, perhaps you can help us with it," Bastila said.

Wann seemed thrown for a bit before relaxing. "Oh, of course, of course. I will do whatever I can, but I'm only a diplomatic representative of the Republic I doubt I can be of any use to the Jedi Council."

"Perhaps you can," Bastila said. "We seek a Star Map, an artifact of an ancient and forgotten race. We...we've heard rumors that it may be on Manaan."

Wann stroked his chin, speaking slowly and trying to hide his reactions. "An ancient and forgotten race, and you think it might be here on Manaan. Hmmm..."

"Wann, we've really gotten tired of cryptic statements from people," Buffy interjected. "So if you know something for sure, do us a favor and spill it."

"Well, perhaps," Wann began. "But if you want to get information about that, you'll have to do something for me first."

"Here we go, same old song, same old dance," Buffy muttered.

"What is it you require?" Bastila asked.

"We were using a submersible reconnaissance droid in the ocean surrounding Ahto City, and it was damaged," Wann replied. "It took a data recording of the outside of the city before the firaxan sharks drove it off. But while it was returning to the surface, it encountered difficulties and was disabled. Its automatic systems floated it to the surface but we couldn't retrieve it in time. The Sith were applying subtle pressure to the Selkath government for reasons we haven't determined and were able to delay us long enough that they were able to retrieve the droid before we did. That was 12 hours ago."

"I see," said Bastila. "So time would be of the essence."

"The droid's data centers are heavily encrypted, so it will take the Sith several days, we believe, to retrieve the data. It's imperative that we get it back!"

"Where do you believe the Sith have hidden it?" Buffy asked. "And I'm assuming it is under heavy guard."

"It is in the Sith Embassy here on Manaan, we are certain. Since we've no remaining soldiers to spare, and certainly not our elite ones, we have no one capable of entering the Sith base to retrieve it. This is what we'd ask you to do."

"We can't just...just break in," Bastila protested.

"We can't?" Buffy asked, seemingly honestly confused. "We've done it before!"

Bastila shot her with a glare before looking back to Wann. "It would cause a massive diplomatic incident. Such an act would not go unnoticed by either the Sith or the Selkath."

"But, if the Sith are able to use that droid to their advantage, Bastila, imagine the further harm they will do with it," Vance reminded her. "Republic access codes, droid protocols...it will put many lives at risk."

Bastila pursed her lips. "I suppose you are correct," she remarked. She nodded to Wann. "We shall do our best to find this data."

"Thank you," Wann said with a smile. "I promise I will have the information you seek when you return.

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"Once…just once, it'd be nice if people could just give us what we want when we ask," Buffy complained as the three headed out of the embassy. "Is that too much to hope for, really?"

The trio saw Juhani, Canderous and the droids waiting before them. "Oh, great, who'd he kill?" Vance asked.

"Statement: Regretfully, Master, I was prevented from causing mayhem among the mercenaries."

Bastila raised an eyebrow. "Mercenaries?"

"It seemed that the bar we went to was full of them," Juhani answered. "I suppose they are taking advantage of the no-violence laws to do business."

Canderous looked to the embassy, then at the Jedi. "Tell me…did the commander there give any idea as to why the Republic is hiring mercenaries?"

Bastila was thrown. "Mercenaries? Are you certain?"

The Mandalorian nodded. "I overheard them talking. It seems the Republic is paying top dollar for some kind of secret mission. The problem is, it seems none of these mercs are coming back."

Vance sighed. "Great, just what we needed, another complication."

"It is our lot in life," Buffy sadly agreed.

"There is something else," Juhani stated.

"Well, of course there is," Buffy exclaimed. "There has to be."

"I spoke to a Selkath at the cantina," Juhani explained. "Shaleas was his name. He told me that a number of Selkath youth have gone missing as of late. He suspects the Sith may be tied into their disappearance but has been unable to get the authorities to listen."

"So you told him we would," Bastila intoned in a sever tone.

Juhani matched her gaze. "I thought that was our mission, to aid in ways like this. If the Sith are influencing the Selkath somehow, that could jeopardize the kolto trade."

"Opinon: The feline metabag is correct, Master. Control of kolto can shift the balance of power to the Sith."

Buffy was surprised. "Wow. I had no idea you were so far-thinking, HK."

"Statement: I do my best to appreciate effects of actions, Master and take them into account for my programmed assignments."

"And you care about the Republic?"

"Statement: Not one bit, Master. But you do and so I must suffer the foolish burden."

Buffy rubbed her temples. "I really wish you were capable of being strangled sometimes."

"Admission: Many have made that assessment, Master."

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"So," Jolee was continuing. "This raider chief is holding Andor up by the throat and the guy keeps thinking his destiny is going to protect him. Finally, Kraat has enough of Andor and tosses him aside into this giant energy intake shaft. Andor gets sucked in and starts bouncing around, heh, screaming, hehe. Maybe Andor hit something sensitive on the way down or just didn't agree with the reactor core, next thing I know, all the ship's alarms are ringing." Jolee said cheerfully.

"Oh, you're kidding me, right?" Faith asked. She, Carth, Sunry and Elora were at the table, listening to Jolee's story of a young Jedi he'd once known.

"Everyone panics and I run, barely making it to the ship in time before the explosion. Kraat dies horribly, and the Dimeans never quite recovered. Changed the political course of the entire sector for centuries to come. I'd call that quite a destiny." Jolee noted brightly. "The chances may not be great, but hey - when one has the opportunity to see something like that twice in a lifetime…"

Sunry chuckled. "Only you, Jolee." He glanced at his watch and sighed. "Well, it was terrific seeing you again and I wish I could stay longer but duty calls." He sniffed. "What you can call duty, that is."

"Sunry, it's a sign of respect," Elora said in a calm tone. "Don't think of it as punishment."

Sunry sighed. "I know…I know…I'm sorry. By the way, I'm going to be working late on some reports on a Sith investigation so I won't be home for dinner."

"That's all right," Elora smiled. "Maybe Jolee and I can talk more."

"I hope we can," the elder Jedi said. "It was good seeing you again, old friend."

"You too, Jolee," Sunry smiled as he began to limp away. Jolee watched him go and turned to Elora, with a solemn expression. "He's not happy, is he?"

The woman sighed and shook her head. "He…he always loved being a soldier, Jolee, you know that. Oh, he's not as bad most days but…he thinks of his position as a punishment now." She wiped her face. "But I think seeing you may make him feel a bit better."

Jolee smiled. "I hope so. My friends and I have to go and check in with the rest of our crew but I will take you up on your offer for dinner."

She smiled. "Thank you, Jolee." She paused and then kissed him on the cheek before walking off, Jolee watching her with a smile.

"Damn, who knew you had someone who could make you that happy?" Faith asked as she and Carth rose to their feet.

Jolee sniffed. "Well, after twenty years in a forest, any old face looks good."

Faith smirked. "Sure it's not more than that?"

Jolee grunted. "Watch where you speak, girl."

"Ah, ah, not gonna pull the senior citizen act on me now, Chrome," Faith said as they headed out of the café. "I want details on how well you know these two."

"Not going to get them."

"Come on. Why not?"

"I'm old, I've earned the right to be close-mouthed when I want to be. You'll learn that in a few decades."

"Doubtful."

Carth was following when he spotted someone near a bar, a man in the outfit of a pilot. He stopped and stared at him, then to the other two. "You two go on ahead. I'll catch up."

"Something wrong?" Faith asked.

Carth shook his head. "Not at all. Just like Jolee, I think I saw an old buddy to connect to." He headed in the direction of a local tavern as the other two moved back toward the dock area.

Carth entered the small bar, looking around until he saw the figure nearby. "Jordo! That you?"

The man turned and started in surprise. "Carth! I don't believe it!" The two went in and shook hands. "Damn, I haven't seen you in years! Not since…" His voice trailed off as his face grew sober.

"Telos, I know," Carth said in the same solemn tone. "Yeah, I know. I heard you left the Republic after that."

Jordo nodded. "I did. After what happened…I just couldn't keep fighting anymore. All that death…I got the family away, got a job working for a supply ship. Pay's good, work's not hard and I know it may sound cowardly…"

"Not at all," Carth cut him off. "You're not the only one who felt that way. I'm here on Republic business actually."

"But you can't talk about it, right?" Jordo smiled. "I saw you around with those Jedi. I'm sure you're still fighting the good fight."

"I try," Carth said. "Sorry if I'm bothering, I just saw you and wanted to touch base."

"No problem at all," Dustil said. He looked down. "I…never got to say how sorry I was about Morgana." He looked up and tried to smile. "But hey, at least your boy made it through all right."

Carth's mind couldn't comprehend what he'd just heard. "Wh…what?" he stammered.

"Your son. Dustil." Jordo frowned. "You haven't heard from him? I saw him at my last stop, on Korriban. He didn't recognize me, though. You...you didn't know he was there?"

"No! Jordo, Dustil went missing during the attack on Telos, and..." He grabbed Jordo's shoulders. "Are you sure it's him? Absolutely sure?"

"I'd recognize Dustil anywhere. Positive!" Jordo's voice dropped and he shifted nervously. "He...he's...joined the Sith, Carth."

Carth staggered back. It was like being shot. The room started to sway around him and he couldn't keep his feet. "What do you mean he's joined the Sith?"

"There's an academy on Korriban for Sith...Force-users and soldiers. He's a student there. Saw him in their uniform and everything." Jordo looked up. "Sorry, Carth. I thought you knew."

"No...No, I didn't." Carth stammered. He wasn't sure how much else he could take. "Thanks for telling me, Jordo."

"Sure...uh, no problem. Good to see you again, Carth. Hope things work out with you and Dustil..." Jordo vanished out the door.

Carth slumped on a stool by the bar, staring outward. For the last few years, he'd been convinced his son had died in the attack. His body was never found but with all the destruction, that didn't seem too hard to accept. Morgana had never been able to tell what happened, she'd barely been able to get out a "I love you" before…

Carth rubbed his head. His son was alive. He was alive and…he was a Sith. He was trying to join the very monsters that had destroyed his home, killed his mother and tore him and his father apart. It made no sense whatsoever. It couldn't be true. But if it was…if it was…

He looked up at the human bartender and took a long breath. "Give me a drink you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Then double it."

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"God, I feel better out of those things," Buffy said as she strode into the center of the ship. She had switched from robes to a simpler suit, dark in color.

"I agree," Vance said, now in dark pants and shirt himself. He looked Buffy over and smiled. "You look better out of them too."

"Why thank you," Buffy grinned. She ignored the look Bastila was giving her. "So how do we play this?"

Vance nodded to T3. "Little guy can get us inside and from there, we should be able to access the information we need."

"We will have to be careful," Bastila intoned. "If we are discovered here, it will not only be dangerous for us but also create a full-scale diplomatic incident that could harm the Republic. We must be quick and quiet and make as little fuss as possible."

"HK, you're staying here," Buffy immediately declared.

"We'll keep an eye on him," Mission declared and Zaalbar grunted in agreement.

Bastila nodded as she walked to the ship's exit. "Force willing, we shall be back soon and shall resolve this somewhat peacefully."

"Query: Will that be when your opponents rest in peace, meatbag?"

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Faith entered the cantina, looking around. The last rays of sunlight were striking the city as it began to set. Nights on Maanan weren't very long due to its orbit so most business still stayed open. Faith had become concerned when Carth hadn't returned to the ship and gone looking. What she found wasn't what she was expecting.

Carth was half-slumped at the bar, the bottle in front of him almost completely empty. His eyes were glazing a bit as he rubbed his brow. Faith moved in carefully, licking her lips before speaking. "Carth? Carth, you ok?"

He stared at her, blinking as he tried to focus. "Oh. Hey. How's it going?"

"What are you doing?" She sat next to him and reached to pull away the bottle.

He yanked it back. "Just nursing my wounds….I got a lot of them, you know." He took a long drink and slammed it down. "Another."

As the bartender went to get it, Faith leaned in. "Come on, let's get you back…"

He pulled her hand away. "No….not going."

"Carth, come on, this isn't good…"

He pulled again and her eyes narrowed. Her grip on his arm tightened and she almost pulled it out as she yanked him off. "Yes. You're going. I don't know why you're here drowning your sorrows but believe me, if Bastila sees you like this, she's gonna toss you off the ship. So let's get you back, get you sober and------"

"My son is with the Sith."

Faith stopped and stared at him. "Say what?"

Carth pulled away and slumped back in the stool. "Old fleet buddy of mine told me. He's on Korriban…at their academy there. He's with them, Faith. My son is…with the people…who killed his mother, his world…And I…I'm here."

Faith's gaze was fixed on him for several moments. She turned to take in his words and looked to the bartender as he placed another bottle before Carth. Faith's hand closed around it and brought it to her. As Carth stared, she opened it and took a long swig. "You can't handle this alone."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Careful. That stuff has a kick to it."

Faith sniffed. "I can handle it."

He shrugged as she tossed a long swig back.

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Faith and Carth stumbled into the small hotel room, leaning on each other. The hotel was only a few blocks from the tavern, which was good as they could barely walk. Had Faith been more clear-headed, she would have been able to judge that whatever it was in that drink, it had a much bigger effect on a female human metabolism.

"Thought you said…you had two hollow legs…" Carth mumbled as they entered.

"I do…" Faith said as she tripped. "Neither of which is working right now." She laughed loud as she pulled her jacket off and tossed it aside. The hotel clerk had barely taken in their intoxicated appearances as it was a common sight around this neighborhood. They were hardly the first couple to rent a room under no name; indeed, they were the fourth here tonight.

Carth took his own jacket off as he made his way to the bed and sat down on it hard. He sighed. "It hurts…I….spent so long ignoring it and now it comes back and…"

"Hey…I know…" Faith moved next to him. "Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, listened to the original cast album, read the novelization, ate the Happy Meal tie-in."

Carth peered at her. "For once…I can use the fact you're smashed as an excuse to not knowing what you're saying."

Faith snickered. "Funny, flyboy."

Carth shook his head as he flopped back on the couch. "It…it's bad, Faith. I…don't want it to be bad…"

"It's not your fault," she said, rubbing a hand on his cheek. "It's not…you're better…than that…I know you are…"

He looked her and she looked back through bloodshot eyes. He leaned up and pressed his lips against hers. She was frozen before kissing back, harder, pushing him down and fumbling at his clothes. He was already rubbing under her shirt, hearing her moans as his hands rubbed her abs and then her chest.

The next few moments were filled with the sounds of hands trying to tear away clothing as desire filled the room. And then, for the next few hours, it was filled with sounds of a much different type.