Slayers of the Old Republic

Book III: Dantooine

By Michael Weyer

It had been almost a week since the events of the raider attack. The group had mostly stuck by the Enclave since. Carth was recovering from his wounds and he and Faith had been keeping their distance.

Buffy had been busy with Bastila and Vance. Bastila had believed it would be beneficial for Vance to train with Buffy, to teach both of them at once. Buffy had been impressed by how well Vance had taken to the Jedi ways. He was already a good fighter so his sword skills were impressive. However, Buffy was also struck by how quickly he took to using the Force. She had come across him hovering cross-legged in the air, levitating a trio of chairs around him. It had taken her months to get the strength to do that.

She wasn't alone in her thoughts on the matter. She'd heard Zhar state that Vance had accomplished in weeks what took most Jedi years to learn. Even Bastila seemed impressed although it also struck Buffy that she was troubled. In fact, the more powerful Vance became, the more nervous Bastila seemed.

At the moment, Buffy was enjoying a break from the training and walking around the grounds. She saw a woman headed over, an attractive redhead in her thirties with tears streaming down her cheeks. She brushed past Buffy, whispering under her breath. "Can't be gone…my poor baby…why…why did he leave me?"

Buffy frowned at the passing figure and looked at the direction she had been coming from. She saw Mission, Zaalbar and T3 headed toward her. "Hey, guys!" Buffy called out. "Enjoying Dantooine?"

"It's amazing!" Mission beamed. "I never knew it was possible to have a planet without any cities!"

"It reminds me a bit of home," the Wookie chimed in. "Only the trees are so much shorter."

"Still can't believe your trees are that tall, Big Z!" Mission said. "We gotta check it out sometime!"

The Wookie looked away, seeming to avoid the subject. Mission looked past Buffy and winced. "Ah, did you happen to see Elise go by?"

"That woman who was sobbing?"

Mission nodded. "Yeah, that's her. She had asked me and Big Z to look for her missing droid. She seemed really torn up by his going missing. So we find him being attacked by some kath hounds."

"It turns out it wanted them to destroy him," Zaalbar stated.

"Why?" Buffy asked.

The Twi'lek and the Wookie exchanged embarrassed glances. "Well…ah…it seems that when Elise's husband died, she started to lean on the droid for support. Used him as a fill-in for her hubbie…in every way."

Buffy's eyebrows shot up. "When you say every way…"

Mission held up a hand. "Don't ask. I'm sorry I did." At Buffy's grimace, Mission continued. "The droid thought it would be better in the long run to just get out of the picture and give the woman a chance to get her life back. So, T3 helped him repair his self-destruct so he could end it."

Buffy frowned and looked back to the Enclave. "I'm guessing she didn't take it very well."

"Hopefully, she will see how he was trying to help her," Zaalbar stated.

T3 let out a series of whistles. "Oh, yeah, thanks for reminding me!" Mission said as she reached into her pouch and pulled out a set of crystals. "We found these in a cave on the north side. We managed to sneak past some nasty spider things. I heard some of these things can boost lightsaber powers so thought you could use them!"

"Thanks," Buffy said, taking them with some surprise.

"Mission? Is that you?" The group turned to see a very attractive yellow-skinned Twi'lek coming up toward them. She was dressed in the loose outfit of a dancer with a smile on her face. Mission's own expression was first surprise, then hate. "Lena! What are you doing here? Where's Griff?"

"Oh, I´m just passing through. Griff and I broke up a few months after we left Taris together. Your brother can be charming, Mission, but he's bad news," she added with a reassuring smile. Mission's blood seemed to boil.

"Don't you start trashing my brother, you cantina rat!" Mission snapped, anger rolling off her in waves, "Take that back or I'll smack you so hard your head-tails will pop off!"

It was obvious to Buffy that Lena was obviously not expecting such attitude from they younger Twi'lek. "Mission? What's wrong with you? Why are you acting this way?"

"She tends to get a little worked up when it comes to her brother," Buffy said, having been told the story by Faith.

Lena made an understanding nod. "Yeah, I know how she feels. Griff can be pretty frustrating. I guess that's why Mission didn't want to leave Taris."

Mission spluttered, "You...liar! Griff told me you didn't want his little sister tagging along!"

Lena's eyes bugged wide open. "Is that what the Hutt-spawn told you? Now things are finally beginning to make sense! I wanted to take you along, Mission. I even offered to pay for your ticket. Why not? I paid for everything else why I was with that freeloader! But he told me you didn't wanna leave Taris. I said we shouldn't even go then, but he said we'd come back and get you after we struck it rich on Tatooine - just another one of his lies!"

"Griff wouldn't..."

"Well he did." Lena interrupted. "Think about it. If Griff wasn't trying to ditch you, Mission, then why didn't he tell you where we were going? After we left Taris he told me looking after you was holding him back - Griff's always looking to blame other people for his own problems. That's why he abandoned you. He did the same thing to me, too, as soon as I ran out of money. He started blaming me for all his problems. Like it's my fault his get-rich-quick schemes never work out!"

Buffy pursed her lips. "Sounds like you're happier without him."

"You damn well know it! He's nothing but a sleazy scam artist! If Mission knew what's good for her, she'd forget all about him as fast as possible!"

"But Griff´s my brother – I can't just pretend he doesn't exist!" Mission snapped.

Lena elegantly shook her head tails, rolling her eyes. "Ah, hey – if you wanna talk to Griff, go ahead. Last I heard he was trying to make fortune working the Czerka Corp mines on Tatooine. But as far as I´m concerned, he's out of my life forever!"

"Griff's better off without you anyway, you table-dancing, brother-stealing home wrecker!" Mission snarled at Lena. Zaalbar put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back.

Lena sighed. "Guess that's my cue to leave, then. But one day, you'll see that I´m right about your brother, Mission. I just hope it isn't late by then." With one last wave, Lena walked away, disappearing in the crowds. There was practically smoke coming out of Mission's ears, the Twi´lek breathing heavily until the unexpected visitor vanished from sight.

"Mission? You ok?" Buffy asked.

"Just…I can't believe her! Making Griff out to be the bad guy in all this!"

Buffy took a deep breath. "I sensed she was telling the truth."

"Don't tell me you believe Lena´s lies!" Mission lashed out. "She...Griff..." she sighed. "Sorry. I guess...I guess I should thank you for stopping me from really smacking Lena. Although she deserves it. At least Griff´s free of her clutches. She was probably lying anyway. But maybe...I don't know. I still want to talk to him, hear his side of the story before judging him."

"Maybe we'll get a chance," Buffy said.

"Maybe…" Mission shook her head and started to walk toward the Enclave. "Come on, Big Z. Let's get inside. I need to blow off steam with some pazaak against that guy in the barracks." She marched away, the Wookie and droid following.

Buffy was shaking her head when she felt a familiar presence. She turned to see Bastila coming toward her. "Padawan," the elder Jedi stated. "I am glad I found you. I need you for an important mission."

"Sure thing," Buffy said, straightening. "What is it?"

Bastila moved close and lowered her voice. "Zhar has decided Vance is ready to officially become a Padawan."

Buffy's eyes widened. "Already? It took me a few more months and he said I was a fast learner!"

"Evidentially, Vance has gone faster than any of us foresaw," Bastila stated. "He has been given a final trial. He is to purge an ancient grove that is filled with the Dark Side. The Council believes that may the reason the Kath hounds are acting so violently."

Buffy's eyes narrowed. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Bastila looked away. "It is not for me to say."

"Aw, come on…"

"You are to follow him," Bastila continued. "See how he manages this task."

Buffy blinked. "Whoa. You want me to spy on him?"

"Not spy, observe," Bastila clarified. "We need to know how he will handle this final test."

"I don't know, Bastila," Buffy argued. "It doesn't feel right."

"As I said, it is important, even vital, for Vance's place in the Jedi Order," Bastila said. "You are only to observe. This is his trial and he alone must handle it."

Buffy sighed. "Okay, I'll give it a shot."

"Good," Bastila stated. "He will be found in the far west corner two miles from here. May the Force be with you."

"And you," Buffy said as she turned and started her hike.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was a little difficult to keep at enough distance behind Vance so he wouldn't notice her. Buffy had to admit that the dark robes seemed to fit him well. She saw he had a lightsaber already and his stride was purposeful as he came to the Grove. It was a set of large stone tablets set among the grass, remains of whatever civilization had once inhabited Dantooine. Buffy stopped and knelt roughly ten yards away. She closed her eyes and reached out with the Force. Soon, a picture came into her mind of what was happening ahead.

Seated in the grove's center was a Cathar woman. She seemed to be meditating, eyes closed. Her feline features and balance contrasted greatly with the severity of her appearance. She wore a light leather and linen bodysuit with no embellishments, her posture was perfectly rigid and still, and her mane was trimmed severely, save for a topknot bound by leather. Buffy had met a few Cathar here and there and was struck by the passion the species always had. She touched out with her aura…

And hissed as the shock of the Dark Side hit her. There was no doubt about it. This woman was the "taint" of the Grove. The taint that Vance had to extinguish.

Vance paused, seemingly thrown to discover this woman. So, the Council hadn't told him either. Somehow, Buffy wasn't at all surprised by this. Before he could speak, the Cathar's eyes snapped open. She saw Vance standing before her and, with a hiss, ignited her lightsaber and lunged forward.

Vance's lightsaber fired up, the bright orange blade flashing in the afternoon sky. The two sabers clashed together as the pair fought among the rocks. The Cathar's face was filled with rage as she wildly attacked the human. "Be gone from here!" she hissed. "You have no idea who you face! I possess power you cannot imagine!"

"That's good," Vance quipped. "If I could imagine it, I'd probably be terrified." He ducked a wild swing and leapt up. He flipped over the feline and grabbed her arm. With a tug aided by the Force, he sent her flying back, her lightsaber falling into his own hand. The woman fell on her feet and rolled up only to find Vance pointing the ends of both sabers at her face.

Dead silence filled the air as both heaved for breath. The Cathar stared up at Vance in wonder, her voice, now quieter, showing an odd accent. "You…you are strong. Stronger than me, even in my darkness. Why do you invade, human?"

"Who are you?" Vance asked.

"I am Juhani…former Padawan of Master Quatra. The Council sent you to remove the taint, correct? Why else would they send a Jedi here? Well, I embraced the Dark Side, and this is now my grove - my place of dark power." She held her head up, defiantly staring at him. Why do you hesitate, human? I am defeated - strike me down and tell your masters."

"No."

She blinked. "What?"

"What happened?" Vance asked. "Why…why are you here?"

Juhani became contrite. "I slew my master, Quatra. I gave in to my anger during training, embracing the power of hate. And now I revel in my dark power. Power to crush the life from one such as you…or so I thought. But, it…it was not enough." She looked at him, gold eyes questioning. "What do you want of me?"

"I can't abide to see someone in pain. You grieve for her, and feel so much remorse and shame. I came to speak to you."

"Talk?" Juhani would have laughed if she had the ability to do so at the moment. "You could slay me so easily, and…? I cannot believe it, especially from a human's mouth."

Without a word, Vance deactivated both lightsabers. He then offered Juhani's back to her. She stared at it in disbelief. "Not anger, peace. Yet, even with your naive attitude, you best me."

She sat back and hung her head in shame. "I am pathetic. I sit here and think myself to be embracing the Dark Side, but I'm nothing! There is no way I can be redeemed. I had thought Quatra held me back, that she was envious of my abilities." She looked up, taking a shuddering breath. "But now, I see that I am not good enough to meet their standards. I never have been."

"Maybe you're just setting your standards too high," Vance said. "Believe me, a lot of what the Jedi teach as 'standards' are unattainable. Even by we humans."

Juhani smiled weakly. "It would seem I have much to learn…about being a Jedi, and about myself." She hung her head. "But I wish the cost had not been so high, that my master had not suffered because of me."

"Even in death, she watches you - as one with the Force," Vance said by way of comfort.

"If she were alive, there would be so much that I would say…so much to apologize for. I think, in my own way, that I truly loved her." Pain twisted her face. "Oh, how could I ever be forgiven for what I have done? Striking my master down in anger is unforgivable. I have fallen and dark power courses through me."

"I don't believe that," Vance stated. "I know the Dark Side. I've seen the Sith and I've felt their power. You…you don't have that in you. Not like they do. You can go back, Juhani. Show them your regret, show them how you feel now, show them you still serve the Light and they'll take you back."

Juhani absorbed his words and slowly nodded. "Yes…yes, I can do that." She looked up at him and smiled widely. "Thank you, Master Jedi."

"Please, don't call me that. I'm just an apprentice," Vance said.

The Cathar's eyes widened. "An apprentice? I cannot believe it. After the ability you showed…" Juhani shook her head. "I must return to the Enclave and face what I have done. At the very least, I can honor Quatra's memory in that way… forsaking the Dark Side. Do you think they can accept me back? After what I've done?"

"As I said, show them you are contrite. Show them you mean it when you say you want to return to the light. They'll take you back."

She smiled at him. "Thank you…"

"Vance Jarcen."

"Again, thank you." She bowed her head and turned away. She took a deep breath and began to march back toward the Enclave. Her stride was slow at first but began to strengthen and soon she was gone.

Vance watched her go and then called out. "I know you're here!"

Buffy was startled then slowly rose to her feet. Vance was already headed her way, a half-smile on his face. "Enjoying the show?" he called out.

Buffy held up her hand. "This wasn't my idea. They sent me here to observe, over my objections, I might add."

Vance sighed. "I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I thought this was going too easy."

"No," Buffy said. "The easy way would have been to just kill her. Instead, you brought her back. You talked her into seeking forgiveness. That was good work."

"I just did what seemed right," Vance stated. "I do hope she'll be able to get over her Master getting killed, that Quatra."

Buffy stopped. "Wait a minute…I thought I heard the name but…"

"What is it?" Vance asked in confusion.

Buffy closed her eyes and smacked her forehead. "I cannot believe…"

"What?"

"She's alive."

"What?" Vance repeated.

Buffy looked at him. "Quatra. She's alive. I just saw her at the Enclave. She had a bandage around her arm but otherwise..."

Vance's eyes widened. "You mean they let Juhani think she'd killed her own Master? Why?"

Buffy blew a strand of hair away from her face. "As with so much of the Jedi, file it under 'move in mysterious ways.'"

Vance shook his head. "They trick you into becoming an enemy and test another by having them threaten to kill you. I'm not exactly happy about their training methods."

Buffy nodded as they started to walk off. "Yeah, they can be pretty unique with their ideas. Their learning experiences can be pretty painful."

"The best ones often are," Vance noted.

Buffy snorted. "Oh, I'm going to have such a talk with Bastila when we get back."

"You always make things difficult for her?"

"My philosophy is simple. Why make things difficult when, with just a little effort, I can make them impossible?"

The duo's laughs filled the wide grasslands.