Slayers of the Old Republic
Book III: Dantooine
By Michael Weyer
As usual, all comments are welcomed, no matter what so feel free to review.
It was going on three weeks since the group had landed on Dantooine and Faith was doing everything possible to fight off utter boredom.
After spending the better part of two years in a city that never failed to provide action, it was a major shift to find herself on a world of farmers and mostly peace. It had left her with a lot of time to keep in shape and train more. Of course, there were always a few ways she could entertain herself.
"So, this Rickard wanted to kill Calder for cheating him in business and this Handon wanted to kill him for sleeping with his wife," she was saying as she walked the sidewalks outside the Enclave. Both Canderous and Carth were listening as they kept up with her.
"Seems they picked the same day to take out their payback," the Slayer continued. "So Handon shot Calder but Rickard thought Handon was Calder and shot him in the leg."
Canderous snorted. "And they call my people savages. At least we're up front with what we plan to do."
Carth glared at him before looking to Faith. "You figured this all out on your own?"
"Well, that Twi'lek helped with the evidence," Faith pointed out. "He just needed a 'human perspective' as he put it."
"I guess that time on the Taris security force helped your skills," Carth noted.
"That and I used to watch a lot of 'Matlock' eps."
Once again, Canderous and Carth exchanged a baffled look, once more wondering just what planet it was Faith and Buffy had come from. Before Carth could ask for more details, the trio became aware of several raised voices coming nearby. They saw a group of settlers, all seeming upset as they argued.
"Jedi!" the settler at the center of the group yelled. "They've all got some nerve claiming to protect the settlers here. How long can they sit in their enclave safe from those Mandalorians while they prey upon us?"
The crowd was mostly approving, several yelling out their own comments. "Damn straight!" "They robbed my house last month!" "We've got blasters!"
"Mandalorians, here?" Carth looked over his shoulder at Canderous who was stone faced.
The settler standing on the bench raised his fist. "Those animals have killed my daughter! I will settle for no less than blood for blood."
"And you call yourself her father?" Canderous said sharply. "It was your duty to protect her."
"And people say I've got no tact," Faith muttered under her breath as the crowd's attention focused on the man who was quite obviously a Mandalorian.
"Mandalorian beast!" A woman shouted at him. "Some of us don't like fighting and killing and butchering as much as you!"
The man who had spoken was giving Canderous a cold gaze even as his eyes misted. "There were a dozen of them, those thugs and their Duros allies. What was I to do? They demanded our land, our livelihood, but Ilsa stood up to them…my darling Ilsa told them no, and they killed her in cold blood."
Canderous snorted. "You Republics are weak. You need to defend what you have, or someone stronger will take it from you. He should have been protecting her better if he wanted to keep her."
Sensing things were going to turn ugly unless he shut Canderous up, Carth got between them, and pulled Canderous aside. "I don't give a damn how that behavior's taken among your kind or how things were done on Taris, but you're not there anymore. This is a farming world, and those people are farmers – not soldiers, not warriors."
"Republic world, Republic rules." Canderous was obviously frustrated. "Fine, Republic, you talk."
Carth approached the crowd. "Sorry, folks. He's…well; he's got a lot to learn. The name's Carth Onasi, I'm a Commander in the Republic fleet. Can you tell me what's going on here?"
"Mandalorian raiders have been attacking us for weeks," said one farmer as he glowered at Canderous. "Ever since the Republic beat them back, small groups of them roam all over the place. This bunch arrived a year ago."
"Much of the time, they demand food, credits or equipment. But they've become greedier and more bloodthirsty," another settler explained. "It was only a matter of time before someone got killed, and last month, Jon's daughter became that 'someone.' But it's the same story all over the farms here. We've been trying to petition the Jedi about this, but they've holed up in their own little fortress, and dismiss the concerns of us 'mere mortals.'"
"They say they'll investigate, but they sit and do nothing while we die," Jon shouted. "There is no justice! None! We need to take up arms and drive them off ourselves. Then we can drive away these useless Jedi while we're at it!"
"Hey, hey," Faith called out, holding up her hands. "I can understand how you all feel, trust me. But while I agree the Jedi should be doing more, they've got their hands full around the galaxy with the Sith. So maybe you can just calm down and give them a chance, ok?"
Carth noticed Canderous motioning to him, calling him out of earshot. Annoyance was clear on the Mandalorian's iron-eyed face. He dropped his voice as to not be overheard. "Pathetic. Taking scraps when they should be taking worlds."
Carth frowned deeply. "I take it you know something about this."
"Unfortunately, yes," Canderous said. "When our people were defeated and Madalore killed, the clans scattered. Many of them have turned on each other while scattered groups have turned to reliving the 'good old days' by turning pirate and raiding worlds. There's no honor in what they do…just idiots and thugs disgracing the armor and mocking our ways."
"So, you don't approve of what these guys are doing?"
Canderous seemed angered at the question. "Pathetic jhetattan fool, battle is to be a test of yourself…a risk of losing it all. There is no honor in what he does, nothing at stake. Not his life, not his possessions, and certainly not his clan or his world. No risk, no honor. And if a man has no honor, then his life is forfeit."
Carth hated to admit it but part of him was impressed by the heartfelt emotion in the Mandalorian's voice. "Hmmm…maybe it's time we took this up with them."
Canderous raised a gray eyebrow. "You and me together?" He chuckled. "Next thing you know, it'll be summer on Hoth."
Carth shrugged. "Yeah, well, I figure between the two of us, we've got more battle experience than most people here. These raiders might be expecting a major group but two soldiers might be able to get in closer and strike without them realizing it."
"Sneaky…" Canderous smirked. "You may have potential yet. Come on, let's get to the ship and hit the armory." The two marched off, talking as they went.
Faith was too distracted trying to calm the agitated settlers down to see them go. She had just managed to get things relatively calm when she heard Buffy's voice. "Hey, Faith!"
Faith turned to see her fellow Earthling walking toward her, dressed in her traditional light robes. Faith frowned as she realized Carth and Canderous were missing but quickly brought her attention to Buffy. "What's up?
The former Slayer nodded toward the main building. "We may have an assignment and I thought you could help out."
"Me?" Faith seemed thrown. "Why?"
"Well, Zaalbar and Mission are off exploring and Vance is still deep in training. I thought another pair of hands could help."
Faith thought about it and shrugged. "Okay, sure. Not like I've got anything better going right now."
The two headed toward the temple, falling in step easily. "So how is smuggler-boy doing in the training?" Faith asked.
"Amazing," Buffy said. "He's hooked onto it faster than most trainees. According to Zhar, the only other person to go so far so fast was…well, me."
"Interesting," Faith noted. "I don't know, B…something about all this seems…"
Buffy frowned at her. "Seems what?"
"Well, it's just…what are the odds that you and me could run into each other after all this time and with this new Force-powerful guy to boot? I know coincidence is a lot in the world we live in but this is a bit much."
"I thought the same," Buffy admitted. "But if there's something I've learned in the last two years, it's that the Force has its own way of working."
"Take your word for it," Faith murmured as the two came to the entrance to the Enclave. Bastila was waiting for them, nodding shortly at Faith. "Faith," she said in a cool tone. "I hope you may be able to be of aid in this task."
"Just what is it we're doing?" Faith asked as she crossed her arms.
"Even as we are at war," Bastila said in a haughty tone. "We cannot ignore our other responsibilities. We are not a cloistered order. Our teachings and our influence must spread beyond the walls of------"
She was cut off as Faith made a huge yawn and put a hand over her mouth. "Sorry," she said in a not quite contrite tone. "I tend to nod off when people are blowing their own horn in a noble manner. So, we gotta help out others, I get it. What's the haps?"
Buffy bit her lip to keep from snickering as Bastila glared at each in turn. Composing herself, she continued. "For some time, there have been two families causing some trouble here on Dantooine. The Sandral and Matale families are two of the wealthiest local landowners, and have never been amicable neighbors. Ahlan Matale, in particular, has filed numerous complaints against what he perceives as Sandral interference. The Sandral family tends not to go to the Council, but take direct action. The patriarchs of both families are by far the most stubborn of the batch."
"Hatfields and McCoys, huh?"
Bastila blinked and looked at Buffy. "You said the same thing," she noted. Deciding not to ask for details, the Jedi continued. "Evidentially, the sons of both men are now missing and, not surprisingly, each blames the other for their disappearance. This is a very delicate situation as each man has a sizeable force of battle droids under their command. This could very well lead to a war between them that could catch innocent settlers in the crossfire."
"So we need to find out what happened to both of these guys, right?" Faith asked.
"Indeed," Bastila confirmed. "Come, we shall talk to Ahlan Matale first." She twirled about and walked off, Buffy following. Faith rolled her eyes at how seriously this woman took things as she went after them.
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The Matale estate was roughly a mile away from the Enclave, a good sized walk for the three women. Faith was able to observe more of the wide grasslands of the planet, a few forests and caves here and there but mostly the green plains. It would have been quite the lovely walk if not for the massive beasts who periodically attacked them.
Faith grunted as she pulled her short sword out of the body of a kath hound. The beasts were each the size of a horse and resembled buffalo only with large foreheads and sharp horns. The very sight of an intruder seemed to send them into a frenzy and the trio had to deal with almost a dozen already.
"I thought these things were mild-tempered!" she snapped at Bastila.
"They are, normally," the Jedi said, looking troubled. "But it appears that as of late, they are acting more hostile. I suspect there is more behind their behavior than there appears."
"You know, you Jedi really aren't that hot with things in your own backyard," Faith noted.
"We are focused on our war with the Sith," Bastila said. "Besides, if we were to solve the problems of everyone, how will that benefit them in the long run? They would depend upon us and perhaps even give us power to rule. Such things lead greatly to the Dark Side."
"I get you don't want people to be too dependant on you," Faith argued. "But between these and those Raiders, the people do need a lot more help."
"Perhaps," Bastila allowed as they came to the outskirts of the Matale estate. "But such decisions are in the hands of the Council and are not for us to question."
Faith frowned as they came onto the estate. True to their standing, the Matale estate was vast with workers in the fields helping to sow the crops. It would have been a pleasantly pastoral scene if not for the patrol robots and occasional armed guard on the perimeter, the official reason being the hostile local wildlife. The manor house stood center, painted a pale blue, and part of a sprawling complex that housed employees and servants as well as the family.
A protocol droid was standing by the entrance. "Halt," it said. "Identify yourself."
"We are from the Jedi Council," Bastila announced. "We are here to investigate the disappearance of Matale's son."
The droid cocked its head before speaking. "I have notified my master of your arrival. He shall meet you out here."
A few minutes later, Ahlen Matale marched out. He was an elderly man but still held himself strong, his face lined with wrinkles, his hair grey and was wearing a dark blue tunic and pants. "My droid tells me you're here on behalf of the Council. I was beginning to think my demands for justice had been ignored, though I think your time would be better spent interrogating the Sandrals as to the whereabouts of my son Shen."
"We're trying to gather information," Bastila began.
"I already told my story to the Council!" Matale erupted. "Why did they not inform you of the facts in this matter? I did not expect such incompetence from the Jedi, but here it goes. Many years ago, I came to Dantooine to escape the crush of humanity on the Core Worlds. Soon after, the Sandrals arrive and they've been a plague on my house ever since."
"I imagine the story from the Sandrals would sound just about the same, don't you?" Buffy muttered to Faith, who nodded in agreement.
Matale didn't seem to hear them." The injustices the Sandrals have inflicted upon the Matales are too many to name. The Council is well aware of our disputes. Recently, I discovered several of their droids on my land. They've been destroyed, of course, but I don't want to think about what nefarious plans the Sandrals had for them - maybe my assassination or burn my estate to the ground. I wasn't about to find out. Shortly after this, Shen vanishes. He is my only son - heir to my estate."
"Where was Shen last seen?" Bastila asked, trying to remain calm.
"Isn't it obvious to you damn Jedi? Nuril Sandral had him abducted because he could not destroy me instead. The only resolution possible is the return of my son and punishment inflicted on those land-grabbers."
"Thank you, Mr. Matale. I must now speak to Mr. Sandral to find out his version of events."
"Why does the Council insist on stalling? Shen's life is at stake!" He stopped, as if realizing something and slowly nodded. "Of course…I'm a man of the world, Jedi. I know how things are done. I will make a… contribution to your Order of a thousand credits for the safe return of Shen." He made a sly smile. I'll present them directly to you of course. Whether the Council learns of it is your affair."
Bastila visibly bristled, her jaw set hard and her tone was filled with ice. "Mr. Matale, the Jedi do not respond well to threats or bribes. I'll find your son and forget that last statement. Any more attempts at coercion, and I will have to put it on report."
"And know this, Jedi. I am not going to sit idly by. I will do anything it takes to get justice - including razing the entire Sandral estate!"
"You would be willing to risk open war over this?" Buffy asked.
"Is that shocking? I hope it proves my point. The Sandrals started this - not I."
"Here I thought you'd start blaming us if we failed," Faith said. "It seems everyone is responsible for your actions except for you."
"I don't need to stand here and listen to this impertinence! Until you find Shen, we've nothing further to discuss. I've got plans of my own to make." Matale turned and stormed back inside his home.
"I'm impressed, Faith," Bastila said. "That interjection was very Jedi-like."
"It wasn't intentional," Faith quickly said.
"Unfortunately, Ahlan Matale isn't making idle threats," Bastila said. "He's rash and foolish enough to attempt an assault on the Sandral estate - and all-out war between their families."
"Let's get over there next," Buffy decided. "Maybe we can find a few more clues."
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They were halfway toward the estate when they saw a pack of kath hounds around a body near a tree. Faith snap-aimed to shoot one in the head as Bastila and Buffy moved in with their lightsabers. The hounds were soon dead and Bastila was turning over the body. It had been a young man, half his face now a bloody mess along with several wounds on his body.
Buffy picked up a datapad held in the man's hand and flicked it on. She pursued it and sighed. "Cassus Sandral," she confirmed.
"Damn," Faith muttered. "This is not going to go well."
Bastila sadly nodded. "No, I'm afraid it will only add to the fuel." She rose up and removed her cloak. Realizing what she wanted, Buffy did the same with her outer robe. The two wrapped up the man's body and with Faith's help lifted it up. They solemnly made their way across the grove to the other hillside.
Thankfully, the estate wasn't too far. The Sandral grounds were approximately equal in size, but they were far less open about their wealth. There were patrol droids to be certain, and employees, but the manor was smaller, no doubt integrating servant quarters into the design.
"This is private property. By what authority are you trespassing on this estate?" They were once again greeted by the emotionless mechanical voice of a protocol droid when they barely even set foot on the Sandral estate.
"Casus Sandral is dead," Bastila flatly said, her tone made it clear that that alone was reason enough to let them in.
"Casus is dead? Then it is as we feared." The droid actually seemed saddened by this news. "You should speak to Nurik himself. He will want to question you on the details of his son's death. Nurik left orders he was not to be disturbed, but given the circumstances I will make an exception. Go into the main hall. Nurik will meet you there." The droid reported.
The three women headed into the estate house. Enclosed in tempered glass, it was as much a greenhouse as it was a parlor, appointed with plush benches and verdant, well-tended plants. A pair of large doors opened and Sandral entered. He was a tall and elderly black man with a balding head, dressed in dark crimson colors.
"I have been informed by my protocol droid that you have news about my son Casus," he said in a slightly melancholic tone.
Coughing, Faith nodded to the cloth-covered body lying on the floor. Sandral hissed as he moved forward. Faith pulled the cloth back to show the unscarred side of the young man's face. Sandral let out a soft moan and reached for the cloth but Faith's hand stopped him. "You…you really don't want to see it," she softly said.
Sandral stroked his son's face. "What…what happened?"
"Your son was killed by kath hounds," Bastila explained.
"Kath hounds?" Sandral said quietly, "I... I was so certain the Matale family was to blame... " He shook his head as anger flared in his eyes. "But this changes nothing! My own son is dead - why should I shed one tear about the disappearance of my bitter enemy's son?"
Bastila snorted. "Typical. Anything to continue the feud which has become so customary to you people."
Sandral slowly stood up. "I must ask you something, though it is difficult for me. My son had a diary. His private, personal thoughts. Now that he is gone, I have nothing else to remember him by. Please, the diary means more to me than it ever could to you. I will give you a hundred credits for its return."
"Here," Buffy said, handing the journal over. "But keep the credits."
"Could you tell us what you know of the Matale boy's disappearance?" Bastila asked, her voice gentle but pressing.
"I…know nothing of it," Sandral quickly said, a twinge of guilt on his face. "I…must ask you leave. This is my home and I do not…like unasked visitors."
"The Jedi are renowned for their fairness and pursuit of justice. There is nothing to fear from us... unless you have something to hide." Bastila persisted.
"That's quite a line" Faith piped up. "Do you actually believe that? Don't you think someone is allowed to value privacy?" She rolled her eyes. "What am I saying, you Jedi have your own little version of the Patriot Act."
"We have nothing further to discuss." Nurik Sandral distantly said, clearly not listening. "Please... leave me to my grief." And he left without another word.
Bastila shot Faith a look. "Privacy is all well and good, but justice must be valued higher. Is it not obvious to you that this man hides something?" she added.
Faith nodded. "Actually, it is. All I'm saying is that not everybody welcomes the sight of a Jedi with open arms. Better get used to it."
"Maybe we should come back later," Buffy said.
But a female voice stopped them, "You are here from the Council, are you not? Looking for Shen Matale?" The three looked up to see an attractive young black woman in light clothing coming to them.
"Who are you?" Buffy asked.
"My name is Rahasia - Nurik is my father," the young woman said, "He has not been himself since Casus disappeared. He is mad with grief, and he is convinced the Matales are responsible. He is not thinking rationally."
"We brought him his son's diary – your brother has been killed by kath hounds." Bastila said.
"Casus is dead?" Rahasia asked, obviously grief-stricken, "It is as I feared, though I am relieved the Matales are not responsible. My father is a good man. When my mother died, he raised me and my brother by himself. He loves his children, and we love him. I just don't want you to judge him too harshly."
"Judge him? What has your father done?" Bastila asked sharply.
"You must understand that Father has been under a terrible strain," Rahasia said quickly. "I have no wish to disobey him, but there are matters where even my father's authority is not absolute."
"Just what has he done?" Faith asked.
"My father has kidnapped Shen Matale," Rahasia said quietly, "He is holding him prisoner here in the compound. He feels this is a way to get back at the Matales, a way to get even for the disappearance of my brother Casus."
Bastila nodded. "I see. Well there is the answer we seek. The Jedi Council should be informed of this at once.
"You don't think that perhaps there's more to look at here, do you? That maybe everything isn't what it appears?" Faith asked.
Bastila seemed surprised by the question. "Of course not. It seems very simple to me. The Council must be allowed to decide the next step."
"No!" Rahasia said desperately. "Since Casus went missing my father has become unstable, he might hurt him if you do that! He no longer even cares if the Matales are responsible for what happened to Casus. I am afraid my father will simply kill Shen out of a mad, misguided lust for vengeance!"
"Why are you telling us this?" Buffy asked.
"Shen is an innocent victim in all this." Rahasia said plaintively, "My father is not a bad man, but his grief has driven him to madness. He must be stopped. The Jedi Council does not have the authority to search our estate, and if Father finds out his secret has been revealed he might kill Shen right away."
"But why do you care about him?" Buffy pressed.
"Shen and I... we..." Rahasia blushed and looked down. "Well, we have been taught by our families to hate each other, just for being related to our fathers," Rahasia said, almost dreamily. "But I met Shen alone one day in the city, away from his father, and... and Shen was so charming, so sweet. He didn't care at all that I was a Sandral, he just accepted me for who I was, with no reservations. We talked and met again over months and fell in love. My brother Casus met him too and they were beginning to become friends, but then this whole mess had to happen... Please find Shen and free him! You are my only hope!"
Faith looked at Buffy. "I'll be damned. It ain't the Hatfields and the McCoys, it's the Montagues and the Capulets!" At Buffy's startled expression, the dark Slayer rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, I do read."
"Here," Rahasia held out a small datacard. "This key will get you into the side entrance and to the spot where Shen is being kept. I will wait for you outside. Please…just help him." She took a glance around before heading away quickly.
As the three women exited, Bastila glanced at the two Earthlings. "Just what were you talking about?"
"Romeo and Juliet," Buffy explained. "An old story where we're from of two people from warring families falling in love."
Bastila pursed her lips as they headed to the side entrance. "Interesting…Well, I must admit, this does throw a new light on things. Perhaps this union might be just the key to stop the feud."
They entered the side door at the estate and made their way down the halls. They ducked past a pair of patrol droids to make their way to a small doorway. It took only a mild Force push from Bastila to undo the lock and open the door. A young man who bore a resemblance to Matale was sitting on a bed, starting at the sight of the three women.
"Who are you? What do you want with me? Are you working for my father?"
"We are here to rescue you, Shen." Bastila said.
"Rescue me?" he repeated, stunned, "No... I won't leave. It's too dangerous."
"Rahasia wanted us to find you," Faith said.
The young man's face brightened. "If you can convince Rahasia to escape with us I will accompany you - though I do not know if she would be willing to turn her back on her home and family." The young man shook his head. "Who could imagine a Sandral doing such a thing for the sake of a Matale? From the moment I saw her, I knew my father's stories about them were wrong. And she in turn found out the same of her father."
"Well, she's waiting outside," Faith said. "Hate to sound like we're rushing ya, but we'd better get out before we have to fight the whole droid patrol force."
The young man had to admit the point and the four quickly raced out to the side entrance. Outside, Rahasia was waiting, her entire being brightening at the sight of her young love.
"Shen! You are safe." Rahasia breathed.
"Rahasia! Thank goodness you managed to escape!" Shen said.
"It was all thanks to this kind Jedi that we managed to get this far at all." Rahasia said, smiling at Buffy and Bastila. "I thank you, lady Jedi, for all that you have done for us."
"We should get out of here quickly." Bastila interrupted.
Rahasia nodded. "You're right, we should go as fast as we can. I don't know how long it will be before my father realizes we're gone."
"You're right, we should..." Shen was interrupted by the arrival of Ahlan Matale – who was, incidentally, followed by two fully armed battle droids, clearly holding true to his word and engaging his assault.
"Oh, dear," Bastila muttered. She leaned toward Buffy. "This Romeo and Juliet…does it have a happy ending?"
Buffy licked her lips. "Well, um…the fathers do make up…after the two lovers kill themselves."
Bastila closed her eyes as if pained. Seconds later, Nurik Sandral emerged from his estate, also followed by two battle droids.
"There you are, Shen!" Ahlan beamed.
"Father!" Shen seemed slightly shocked that he arrived so quickly.
"Mr. Matale!" Rahasia nervously said.
"Rahasia!" Nurik called.
"Father!" Rahasia turned to him.
"Mr. Sandral!" Shen said.
"Nurik!" Matale noticed his adversary.
"Ahlan!" and Sandral was only too happy to return the glare.
"Janet!" Buffy suddenly yelled out.
"Dr. Scott!" Faith chimed in.
"Janet!"
"Brad!"
"Rocky!"
The two Slayers giggled before becoming aware of the baffled expressions everyone else was giving them. "Sorry," Buffy muttered.
It didn't take long for the two men to focus on each other again. I knew this was all your doing! I knew you had captured my son!" the elder Matale shouted.
"You had taken my Casus from me long before that! You started it!" Nurik Sandral yelled right back.
"I do not need to you're your excuses! Now I will get revenge for your transgressions!" Matale claimed.
"Will you two calm down already!" Faith yelled. "What is the point of this? It's a big planet, I'm pretty sure you can stand sharing it!"
"We ARE trying to be reasonable here, of course." Sandral voiced, "We ARE sensible people after all – it's our children that are being stubborn!"
"If Shen would only do what I say!" Matale retorted.
"I don't care!" Shen snapped, "Rahasia and I will live on our own if you don't accept us!"
"You will do no such thing!"
"Shen is capable of making decisions on his own," Buffy said in a smooth voice.
"But Shen is my son... I don't want to lose him..." Matale distantly said.
"And I won't let my daughter go with him!" Sandral shouted.
"Children grow up and leave eventually," Buffy persisted.
"My little Rahasia..." Nurik dreamily gazed at his daughter.
She smiled. "Father...I love you. But…I love Shen too. I…when was the last time you even talked to Matale? Not yelled or blamed but actually talked?"
"When did you, Father?" Shen asked Ahlan. "If Rahasia and I could see past all the years of anger…why can't you?"
"Quick question," Buffy piped up. "How did this start? I mean, honestly, what caused you two to start hating each other's guts in the first place? Or do you even remember anymore?"
"Ten to one, it was something stupid," Faith remarked. "
Her words hung in the air as the two men gazed at each other, each thinking of the past. "I... I don't know why we fight like this," Nurik said as if mortified to have to admit it. "We got along in the beginning, didn't we, Ahlan?"
"I don't know how you can think of that when out children are trying to go away together," Ahlan Matale noted, though less angrily.
Well, it wouldn't be so bad, would it? Shen seems to genuinely care for my Rahasia. He might be a good husband for her someday." Nurik suggested.
"Hmph. As much as I may dislike it... I think I see it too," Ahlan admitted. "I suppose, I suppose I might be convinced to see that Sandral girl with my son. IF she is loyal to him," he voiced, extreme emphasis on the 'if'. "But I don't trust you a centimeter farther, old man. Your daughter may treat Shen well, but you will never see them! They will live with me."
"Of course not, you pompous old windbag! They'll be living with me!" Nurik´s eyes narrowed once more.
"I will not have them set foot in the Sandral household!"
"They shall not live with the Matales!"
"Then you propose to buy us a new house, do you?" Rahasia stepped into the yelling match, smiling innocently – she obviously knew that victory was near.
Nurik stopped to think for a second. "Um... well, yes, actually that sounds like a good idea."
"I'm... surprised. That does sound like a good idea." Ahlan admitted.
"We should discuss this more." Nurik noted. Shen and Rahasia both sighed in relief, then beamed at the three women.
"Thank you, Master Jedi, for bringing us together and getting our families to accept us." Shen voiced.
"We will praise you to the Council for what you have done and name our children after you." Rahasia added.
"Thank you again. We will remember you always." With that, both families retreated into the Sandral estate.
"Well, that worked out nicer than I expected," Faith remarked. She became aware of the glare Bastila was giving Buffy. "What?"
The blonde Jedi was turning her head away from her teacher's gaze. "What?"
"Padawan," Bastila hissed. "Did you use the Force to…influence things there?"
Buffy licked her lips. "Well…I just…look, I just figured it'd save a lot of time and maybe avoid a war. All I did was…push what these guys were thinking anyway. Just speeding up the process!"
Bastila threw up her hands as the three started to walk away. "Padawan, you know the dangers of such use of the Force!"
"Oh, come on!" Buffy snapped. "I wasn't conning them out of cash, I wasn't forcing them to get married. Like I said, it was a little push."
"Little pushes are what led Revan and Malak to the Dark Side," Bastila snapped back. "I am trying to keep you in the Light, Buffy! You have so much skill and power, to misuse it that way is-----"
An explosion caught their attention and three saw a plume of smoke coming over a hill. They immediately began running in that direction, the two Jedi pulling ahead. They came over the hill to witness a mini-battlefield in the place of a clearing. A pair of speeders were on one side, one turned on its side with smoke pouring out of it. Near the speeders were a pack of raiders. They were a mix of Mandalorians and various alien species. The Mandalorians were clad in their traditional sharp armor, covered head to toe with their infamous wide-shaped helmets. The group were firing at a set of rocks nearby.
It took a moment for the three women to see Carth and Canderous crouching behind the rocks. The two men were dressed in armor of their own as they returned fire. Canderous had a wicked smile on his face while Carth's was in pain, a hand to his side.
Without a word, the two Jedi dived into the fray, lightsabers already out. Bastila's dual blades spun around in a blinding arc, deflecting laser bolts as she sliced one mercenary across the chest. Buffy ducked the swing of a Mandalorian's vibroblade and then stabbed him in the chest. She held out her hand and sent a Force wave to knock two other raiders back.
Faith rolled down the hill, coming up on her feet and firing her blaster to cut down a Riordian raider. Carth and Canderous were on their feet, firing their own weapons at the raiding party. Faith saw Carth fire two shots from his blaster that Buffy deflected right into the chest of a Mandalorian. Bastila made a swinging motion of her blade, the two beams cutting another pair of raiders down.
The leader of the group, a Mandalorian in darker armor, hissed as he held up his weapon and aimed it at Buffy. Faith snap aimed and fired a shot that struck the end of his rifle just as he pulled the trigger. The Mandalorian yelled as the blaster erupted in his arms, sending pieces of metal into his armor. He withered on the ground in agony as Canderous marched up.
The veteran soldier had a cold look on his face as he placed the end of his large blaster at the Mandalorian's chest. "You don't deserve to wear the colors of a clan," he hissed just before unloading a dozen shots into the fallen man.
Bastila turned from her dead attackers and widened her eyes. "You cannot-----"
Canderous whirled on her angrily. "This was between Mandalorians, Jedi. You couldn't do the job so we took it upon ourselves."
Faith looked to where Carth was coming over, holding his side and wincing. "You okay?" she asked as she came up to him.
The man nodded. "Yeah…it's not too bad."
"Just the gut, right? No head damage?"
Carth shook his head. "Good," Faith said just before punching him in the face. The soldier gasped as he rubbed his jaw, staring in shock at the outraged Slayer. "What the hell is wrong with you!" she yelled. "Taking this guy with you to fight an entire band of raiders? What were you thinking!"
"We had to do something!" Carth yelled back. "We couldn't just let them hurt more innocent people!"
"But the two of you!" Faith demanded. "You could have asked me for help or Buffy or Bastila! God, Carth, are you in that much of a hurry to die?"
The man glared at her before limping away. Faith closed her eyes and shook her head as she realized she had once more said the wrong thing. She became aware of Buffy next to her, patting her arm. "Hey," she softly said. "He'll be okay."
Faith sighed. "Sorry. I…I've been where he is. I know what it's like to want to end it all and…don't want to see him do that."
Buffy nodded. "Guess we all have our hidden demons, huh?"
Faith took a deep breath and forced a smile. "So, ended a feud, united two lovers and stopped a bunch of raiders." She flashed a grin at Buffy. "What should we call ourselves? Vance's Angels?"
The two shared a laugh as the sun started its slow descent over the plains.
Wow, longer chapter than I expected. Well, next one should be a tad shorter as we check back with Vance and more on the upcoming quest.