Coming to on the floor of the grand ballroom of the Coruscant capital building is, to say the least, disorienting. Waking up to a sea of medics all hovering over you with great concern is disconcerting. But realizing you were pretty much the last person to recover is just plain embarrassing. Bastila scrambled and struggled to her feet amid the protests of the medics who tried to hold her down.
"I said leave me be! Thank you for your efforts, I am quite fine now." Her words were clipped and angry. She ignored the twinge of pain in her ribs.
"Hey, the lady said she's alright, I suggest you listen to her." Canderous stood close behind the wall of medics: one look at him and they dispersed. "Thought maybe we lost you there for a minute, princess."
"Yes, well, I believe my body was resting in order to restore my Force powers," she stammered. Bastila was humiliated as she looked around the room. Carth was hunched over on a chair across the room waving off medics; Zaalbar was leaning over the smoldering pile of HK; Mission and Juhani were tending to a seated and alert Jolee. The rest of the guest list were also moving about. Apparently she was the only one left unconscious on the floor—no wonder she was the center of attention for the medics…and Canderous, ever present to get in an obnoxious comment. How long before he would let this one go? He still brought up those damn Vulkars at least once a week.
"You took some extra hits, ya know," he answered. "Those punks each took a shot at you before they left. Called you traitor, a few other names…."
"Really? That's a relief, actually. I admit I was embarrassed to have been down longer than the rest," she said smoothing her robes.
"I know," Canderous said leaning close to her. "That's why I made up that little story to tell everyone." Bastila's eyes stretched to an unnatural size, her mouth fell open. "Just our secret, got it?"
"Do you toy with me, Mandalorian?" she snarled, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Just thought I'd do you a favor, that's all. Don't want you distracted in battle, worrying that the others have no confidence in you. But you need to be aware in order to prepare better."
"I see," Bastila said, absently straightening her sash in order to avoid his stare. "I appreciate the advice, Canderous, thank you. But won't you be concerned with my skill? I could let you down, get you killed."
"I can take care of myself in a fight. I would be a fool to depend on others, but I would be a bigger fool if I did not accept help when it was available. I have seen many days of bloodshed, Bastila, I know what it takes to win. Aim to kill." His voice was serious, heavy. He seemed to be saying more than what the words meant on the surface. Bastila now looked at him, concern and confusion mixed in her face. He sighed. "I am going to see what I can do about that droid. Revan will be very upset if he is not repaired properly—he will not be of much use to her in his current condition."
"But she's not…here…" The meaning of his words settled on Bastila as if a great weight had crushed her. "No, Canderous, you can't…no! We will get her back, do not rush to make a mistake in this."
"You have until that droid is working again." He turned to leave, then paused. "This too is our secret, until the time comes," he said over his shoulder. "Do not concern the others, they will not battle well. And remember, aim to kill."
A quick note to acknowledge and thank my legions…err, throngs…um, dozens…okay, the few and proud readers who have stopped by and stuck it out with this story. Thanks for your votes and reviews. I hope you continue to read and enjoy, and please do not hesitate to let me know what you think! (Yes, shameless begging here…) And of course, the characters are not mine!