Chapter 9
Mira sat beside her friend in the medical bay. The medical droids did a fine job replacing the bounty hunters artificial componants. She looked almost human. The eye patch covered the new smaller droid eye and the skin around it had healed up nicely. B.C. could pass for any human living on Tattooine now. Mira just wondered how her friend would take the change. It had been almost a week since the surgery. The medical droids said B.C. came out better then they hoped. She was a fighter and always would be.
As Mira sat in a semi state of meditation B.C. began to stir. Mira watched as her friend slowly opened her eye. B.C. looked around the med bay and Mira could see her tense up as if expecting an attack. This was normal for someone always on the edge. Mira placed a hand on B.C.'s.
"Easy my friend, your safe."Mira said in a calming tone.
"W..where am I? Scorpious? The empire?" B.C. said,as she struggled a bit but was still a bit groggy.
" A long way away my friend. Your in the Medical bay of the New Jedi temple. You are among friends." Mira answered.
B.C. shifted a bit and looked at Mira. Though she didn't calm down as Mira expected.
"I swore I wouldn't set foot in a temple. This is wrong." B.C. said.
"My friend, think of it this way, when you swore you wouldn't set foot in a Jedi temple there were many temples. Now those temples are no more, this one was created after you made your oath. So since this is a new temple, and your are no longer a hunter, do you really need to worry about your oath against Jedi."
B.C. smiled, she had never thought of it that way. She relaxed a bit and then a currious look came upon her face. The lead medical droid came up and looked at her.
"It's good your awake. You are a fighter and that is good. I see you've taken to the new cybernetics nicely."
"New?" B.C. said in confusion and looked from the droid to Mira. "The last thing I remember was being on your ship. What the hell happened?"
"Calm down B.C. from what we know and infection set in when we got you off of Tattooine. It was surpressed because of the planets dry atmosphere. Your body went into shock because of it. The droids here were able to help you heal from the infection and also replaced your defective cybornetics."
"I see, so that's why things feel off." B.C. replied as she rose her new hand up to take a look at it. The old one was blackened, battered and chared from old age. This one was clean and looked natural. She easily opened and closed the fist and was surprised at the feeling of touch it gave off. Her old one had lost that ability when a droid processor blew up in it while she was trying to fix it about seven years ago. As she continued to open and close the hand the Droid continued.
"We also replaced your leg, however due to the old leg being damaged, your body has adjusted to that one. You will unfortuanly have a limp. We can not adjust the limb to fit correctly and work correctly without having to take off more of the leg then we want to.
"It's alright. I've had a limp since I crashed, so that's nothing new. I'll get used to it and work around it. So long as I can stand on it and work I'm fine. So if you replaced my leg and arm, what else did.." She trailed off. It hit her then. She raised her good hand to her face and her eye. "Get me a mirror."
Mira grabed a mirror and handed it to her friend. B.C. grabbed it and held it up. Shock flooded over the old huntress. Where once had been a metal mask with a red eye pearing out now was skin and a simple eyepatch.
"We grafted new skin to repair the old dead skin. A simple process we have prefected. We were told by Master Skywalker to keep your apperance the same, however we were told by Mira here that you wanted to put your bounty hunter past behind you. We took it upon ourselves to make a compromise. The new appendage is alot smaller then your old one, so we had to repair the skin. This gives you more of a human look and should help you blend in more. The replacement itself has a few features that are new. Mira explained to us that you worked on droids. This eye unit has the ability for micro zoom, it allows you to zoom in on an item for greater detail. The unit also allows for infered sight, night vision and also natural vision, should you not want to wear the eyepatch."
B.C. kept looking at herself in the mirror and raised the eypatch. The eye wasn't anything like her old one. It looked normal, safe for the fact that it wasn't all read like before. The only way you could tell it was artificial was it's slight red tint to the iris. B.C. was speechless. Mira noticed a small tear appear in B.C.'s real eye. Mira was surprised because she handn't known B.C. ever to show any other emotion besides anger.
"B.C. are you ok, If you don't like it, I'm sure the droids can change it."
"It..It's not that. Mira." B.C. stuttered a bit more, more tears started to appear. " I.. I'm sorry. It's just been so long since.."
Mira understood her friends emotion. B.C. hadn't seen herself look normal like this since the moment her face was changed. B.C. had told her she lost her eye due to a deal gone wrong with a slave trader on Ord Mantell. That happened over twenty years ago. And now her friend was looking upon the face she thought she would never see again. The tears were not tears of sadness, but of happiness.
"How can I ever repay you all for this?" B.C. said slowly as she wiped her eyes.
"Help us get our young friends back, that's all we ask." Mira said.
B.C. nodded. "I'll do that, and I'll make sure who ever used my name will regret that fact."
Mira smiled, even though B.C. had given up her old life, there was still a bit of the hunter left in her.
"Another day's rest and some rehabilitation and you will be free to go." The droid said and he turned around and left.
"Mira, tomorrow I want to go over all the data you have on what happned. Catch up and all that."
"Sure thing, and I'll help get you up to speed to, we can practice a bit so you can get used to using your saber with your new hand. We want to be prepared for anything." Mira said, confidant and happy that the two of them would be working together again after such a long time.
Mira was known for always working alone and never taking a partner with her but B.C. was one of the few Mira knew she could trust. The two had trusted each other with their lives mutliple times during the war. This would be no different. She let B.C. know she'd be back the next day to help her around the temple.
The next day Mira was standing by the door as B.C. was let out of the medical bay. She did walk with a limp as the doctors said, but though it was noticible B.C. didn't let on that it bothered her. In fact she had fashioned a cane out of some scrap metal and droid parts that Hunter had retrieved for her from around the temple. The silver ball followed them.
"So B.C. how's it feel to have your friend back?"
"It's good to be back with you Mira. It's been a long time."
"I was talking about Hunter." Mira said thru a laugh.
"Well he's not really the same, but close enough. I'm just surprised he survived in your ship for so long, thought by now you would have deleted his program. Did you miss me that much you had to keep him around?" B.C. quipped back thru a laugh.
"Hardly, we played a game of cat and mouse. Every time I thought I'd gotten rid of him, he popped up somewhere else." Mira said with annoyance in her voice.
"Emergency protocal replication program. It makes the program more like a virus then a droid protocal program. It makes an exact copy of itself over and over to sustain its life just in case something should happen to it's original CPU." B.C. stated.
"Did you design that?" Mira asked.
"Mater of fact yes. And I'm glad it worked." B.C. stated proudly.
Mira punched her friend in the shoulder hard. B.C. Rubbed her now sore shoulder.
"That's for all the trouble that droid of your's caused me for all these years. If I had known you were hiding on Tattooine I would have tracked you down to get his silver metal rear out of my ship for good."
The two had a good laugh as B.C.followed Mira down a hall and toward the briefing room. B.C. looked around as groups of Padawans and Masters walked here and there. A group of Knights walked past them and one turned around to catch a look at the hunter before finding out he had been left behind and ran to catch up.
The two of them walked into the briefing room to meet up with a few other masters who were council members. Luke was in the middle of them going over the latest data. He looked up and saw that the two of them had arrived. He walked over and smiled at them both.
"Good to see your on your feet again Orion, or can I call you B.C.?"
"B.C. is fine. So you have four Jedi lost. Mira played the recording for me. Would you mind playing it again." B.C. asked. She then turned to the silver ball in the corner and nodded. The ball unrolled into the scorpion Mira had seen before on her ship."Hunter record this for me will you."
Luke played the last recording of the two Jedi, one saying her name before the signal ended.
"So what do you make of it B.C.? You said it was artificial before right." Mira asked.
"Definatly." She looked at Hunter. "Hunter edit out the foreground recordings. Enhance the background."
Hunter did as he was told, it was only a matter of moments before he played back what was left. The sounds of a muffled woman speaking and some other mechanical sounds could be heard. Then tape ended. Luke and the others looked at each other and then to B.C.
"I couldn't make much out, I did hear the woman though, and it isn't you." Mira said.
"What planet did they go to?" B.C. asked.
"It's a small world on the outer rim." Luke said as he brought up a diagram of the planet and then pointed to the city. "We have narrowed it down to..."
"Thespin." B.C. interupted. Her voice was cold as she looked at the hologram showing the planet.
"So your familar with this world." Luke asked.
"More then you know Master Skywalker, and more then I'd like to say." B.C. stated. She nodded to Hunter who rolled up again. B.C. turned to leave. Both Mira and Luke got the sense that the mere mention of the city affected B.C.
"Well we won't push it, but that's where we lost contact, so I want you and Mira to go and see if you can get our young friends back."
"It's going to be harder then that. It's a trap." B.C. replied.
"A trap for who? The Jedi have no ill will there, and the empire doesn't see it as a stratigic place so they leave it alone, the only ones there are.." Mira trailed off.
"Bounty Hunters, and if my hunch is correct, it's not a trap for Jedi, but for me." B.C answered. She nodded to Hunter and then without another word left the room. Mira looked to Luke who motioned for her to follow B.C. to gather more information.
Mira walked out of the briefing room and caught up to B.C. as she was slowly walking down the hall.
"Wait B.C., Ok what the hell was that all about? Who would set a trap for you? Why use Jedi? And who would know you were still alive?" Mira asked.
"Anyone ever tell you that Jedi ask to many questions."
"Well if we are going to be working together I want to know what's really going on." Mira stated in with annoyance.
B.C. turned and looked to Mira angrily.
"Fine, you really want to know, I failed her, now she wants my hide. I'm the reason your young Jedi are captive. I'm the one who trained her. Who better to impersonate me. Why didn't i think of it before." B.C. answered with aggitation.
"Who did you fail? Who did you train? Tell me B.C." Mira asked as she looked at her friend.
B.C. wasn't listening. She turned into a room that was being exited by young padawans. They were comming out of a lightsaber training class. The Master nodded to Mira as they both entered. The door closed behind them, the room was in a semi state of darkness.
"Mira, I took her under my wing and let her go on her own to soon. I pushed her to hard to fast. How could I be so blind!" B.C. said in anger and frustration.
"B.C. calm down. We all make mistakes. " Mira stated, she was trying to calm down her friend and felt the anger and the dark side taking over in her friend. Instinct told her to pull her saber.
Though it had been over ten years since she last let herself get this angry over something, the anger and hate came flooding back as if it was yesterday. B.C. felt the dark side take hold. The force in this building was much stronger due to it being a Jedi Temple. The old bounty hunter started to pace back and forth in the darkness, keeping her eye off the Jedi master. Mira didn't know what to expect.
"I can't calm down. This is all my fault. If I would have only taken care of her in the first place none of this would have happened. My crash, Tattooine, exile, the Jedi's being captured."
Mira could sense the tension running high in the air.
"It's not your fault my friend, stop blaming yourself. Your letting your anger and hate cloud your mind. Your letting your dark side take hold." Mira told B.C. sternly.
While the two were arguing a group of Jedi had overheard their rather loud argument. The room they were in was a saber training arena. There was a second level for young Padawan's to watch the older Padwans and Knights in training. Merak had followed a group to this second level and was watching the goings on between Mira and B.C. Most of the Jedi could sense the dark side eminating from B.C.
"You don't understand what it's like to loose someone in that way."
Mira stood there, not sure what B.C. would do
"I do know, more then you realize. We have all made mistakes and lost people we care about B.C. Your no different." Mira stated firmly back to the Hunter. She knew full well what the huntress was talking about, remembering her old friend and then shaking that image from her head.
"I am different because I was a hunter trying to train a Jedi." B.C. coldly said as she stoped pacing and turned to Mira. With that she rose her good hand.
Mira's blood ran cold. She knew a battle would be next and redied herself. From what she remembered about B.C. Saber dueling was one of the few ways her friend let out pent up anger. She knew she could take the old huntress, but to have to do it here in the temple wasn't something she had ever wanted to face. In the darkness the duel bladed lightsaber of the bounty hunter lit up. Gasps from the young padawans who were watching could be heard from above. Mira quickly ignited her saber. Most of the Padawan's and Knights had never seen Mira activate her saber. Though she had taught basic saber training a few times, she never used her own saber. And to watch a Jedi go against someone that wasn't made the show even more interesting. Many of the younger ones had never even seen a duel bladed saber before. A larger crowed had gathered now and were watching.
Slowly the two combantants circled each other. Mira would simpley be on the defensive hoping that B.C. would be able to let her anger out with the blows. She didn't want to hurt her friend, but also didn't want to die in the process.
"You can do it Master Conte!" Came a yell from a young girl padawan.
With that B.C. charged. The sounds of Lightsaber against Lightsaber filled the room. Mira parried each blow from B.C. Master against Hunter. The crowd above went silent watching the two go at it. The speed continued to incress until it was blindingly fast. Mira's teal saber blended in with B.C.'s purple duel saber. Mira and B.C. continued to fight aroudn the room. Some Padawan's were sheilding their eyes from the intense light. Blow after blow echoed thru the room. The two combatants were evenly matched. Mira however always stayed on the defensive, not wanting to injure B.C. She could sense her friend was fighting on anger and knew it wouldn't last to long.
Merak wanting to show off to Mira decided two against one was better. Before other knights could stop him he jumped down from the second floor, using the force and as soon as he hit he activated his green saber. Mira heard this and used the force to push B.C. away a bit. She then backed up toward Merak.
"And what the hell do you think your doing?" She stated, a bit out of breath.
"Helping you out. Clearly the Hunter's lost her mind." Merak said.
"You'll get yourself killed, I can handle this!" Mira shouted.
Merak however wouldn't listen and engaged B.C. The yong knight was holding his own until B.C split her blade. Merak's eyes got wide. He hadn't realized you could do that. B.C. went after her new attacker with a vengence. Merak was put on the defensive and had to use all his skill to fend off the miryad of blows. He was barely able to move out of the way but not before one of B.C.'s blades singed his robes. Mira jumped in when Merack stumbled. The two Jedi continued blow for blow with B.C. for a few more minutes. Then the lights went on. Everyone shielded their eyes.
"ENOUGH!"
The two Jedi turned to see Master Skywalker standing there. B.C. went to go after the Jedi but with a wave of his hand B.C. was thrown to the wall and pinned there. She dropped her sabers. Mira deactivated her saber and put it on her belt. Merak followed Mira's example.
"Sorry Master Skywalker." Mira bowed.
"What is the meaning of this?" Luke asked firmly.
"She's dark, a bounty hunter and doesn't belong here." Merak stated while trying to catch his breath.
Luke gave Merak a very stern look and walked over to B.C. Mira did the same, picking up B.C's sabers and following behind the Jedi master.
"As for you. Are you feeling better now?" Luke asked.
B.C. who was out of breath nodded. Luke waved his hand and she fell to the ground.
The feeling of darkness disappated the room and Luke looked up to see the crowd that had gathered.
"All of you back to what you were doing before this spectical. Remember though what you saw here. Go."
With that the students disbursed quickly. Luke then turned to Merak.
"Merak, You have some explaining to do. I understand you wanted to help Mira,. But you didn't have the right . Mira can handle her own battles, she doesn't need help. You acted impulsive and again didn't think things thru. Because of that you became more of a hinderance then help. Go to your quarters and meditate on that fact" He then turned to Mira, "And what brought the fight on?"
"Master Skywalker, I'm sorry, I pushed her to hard. It will not happen again, you have my word." Mira stated firmly. She then went over and helped B.C. to her feet. "Are you alright now?"
"I'll be ok, just give me a minute." B.C. said and then looked to Luke, " I haven't felt that angry in a long time. I warned you didn't I. The faster we get this mission over with, the sooner I can be on my way back to Tattooine."
"It isn't your fault B.C. Your not a Jedi, so I don't expect any more then I would any other person. Your a guest here. I was aware of your background before you set foot here. Just make sure your anger stay's in check next time."
B.C. nodded and left the room with Hunter. Merak followed after and went as he was told. Mira stayed behind with Luke. When everyone was clear of the room Mira turned to Luke.
"Sir she knows who's behind the kidnappings. She just won't say. Apparently there is more to the story then she will let on."
"I had a feeling there was more." Luke said as he looked at Mira.
"She mentioned trying to train a Jedi. Any clue who that might be?" Mira asked.
"Unfortunatly no, so many of us were scatttered in the Great war it's hard to say. It could be any number of young Jedi." Luke stated as he tried to think and pin down one.
"This mission should turn out to be interesting after all." Mira said.
"Get your ship ready, you leave in two hours for Thespin. After what I saw, she's ready and doesn't need any more training."
Mira nodded and walked out leaving Luke to think about what was said and how to handle the reprocussions of the event.