Slayers of the Old Republic

Book IV: Kashyyk

By Michael Weyer

The walk to the village wasn't too far. The huts were set all around, made of various styles of wood and were quite well-constructed. Wookies were all around, their fur a mix from dark brown to almost white. All were glaring at the humans with undisguised hatred and Faith could only imagine the waves of animosity the Jedi were feeling.

They were relieved of their weapons and brought to a large house built from wroshyr wood, lit by modern glow-rods and decorated with woven rugs and brightly-colored murals of Wookiee legend. Five armed humans flanked Chuundar's throne, as well as the two Wookiees by the door, and it made Zaalbar feel physically ill. This was his worst nightmare come true.

Zaalbar had been herded to stand next to the throne, and Mission wouldn't leave Zaalbar's side, holding his large paw in her tiny hands. The others stood before the throne, blaster rifles pointed at their backs. It gave them a look at the Wookie before them.

Chuundar had well-groomed black fur and plenty of ornamentation - including his father's prized amber necklace. He sat in the carved wooden throne, but stood as they entered. Chuundar flashed them a predatory smile before speaking.

"Step forward and address the mighty and wise Chuundar. Did you think you could walk the upper boughs of Kashyyyk and not be observed? I've had my climbers and scouts watching you and your ship."

The Czerka captain stepped forward. "Your presence here threatens to upset a lawful business arrangement, as well as transporting a dangerous animal, an attack droid, and who-knows-what on that smuggling boat of yours. We hold authority here. Most of the time, we put your kind to death...but we'll indulge Chuundar on this." He smiled wickedly. "I actually like his idea...fits you Wookiee-lovers just right."

"And," Bastila said. "As you have no doubt discovered when taking our weapons, you are holding four members of the Jedi Order. The corporation would not want to be implicated in our deaths, but allowing the Wookiees to be our executioners serves your purposes admirably."

"Shut up, lady. Give it a couple years, and the Sith will have exterminated the rest of you."

"I don't often allow visitors of your kind, but you travel with a mad-claw." Chuundar said, gesturing broadly around the room. "I was only seeing to the safety of my people."

"And yet you flank yourself with Czerka slavers!" Zaalbar shouted, waving his massive paw to the Czerka guards who still held their blaster rifles to the party's heads. "Are they not outsiders, or have you sold all of Kashyyyk to them!"

"Ah, Zaalbar. You've been exiled many years. You should not speak in that tone. Things are different now." Chuundar had a smile on his face that made Zaalbar afraid. "You are a mad-claw without honor. You have no voice among our people. I, on the other hand, am Chieftain."

"For someone who thinks only of his people's safety, you have certainly done a good job of surrounding yourself with the enemy," Vance noted.

"You can talk all you like, but no one will believe you. I've had a long time to guide what my people think. They trust me, Mighty Chuundar. Even with my brother insane and my father enslaved, I rose to protect my people, despite it all..."

"Father enslaved? 'Mighty' Chuundar? What are you talking about? You were the runt!"

Chuundar's face lost its calm as he roared. "I am no runt!" He cleared his throat and tried to calm himself. "Like I said, Zaalbar, a lot has changed since you left."

"What do you want, carpet-head?" Buffy demanded. "I know there's a reason we're here so are you going to tell us or are you planning to show how long it takes for your breath to poison us all?"

Zaalbar had to smile. He knew this young human was a brave one.

Chuundar sniffed. "I've not killed Zaalbar because I take pity on my poor and insane brother. I hope that eventually he and I can come to an agreement. However, I have heard you. You seek something in the Shadowlands, as do I."

"What do you know of it?" Bastila asked, careful not to reveal anything about the Star Maps.

"I know of its location the ruins in the lowest part of the Shadowlands," Chuundar elaborated. "There is an insane Wookiee that has taken to living in the same old ruins. Like Zaalbar, he too became a madclaw and now roams the Shadowlands, lost in his guilt and rage. He is interfering with my Czerka allies and that is not good for business. I want you to kill him."

Faith's hatred of this…thing was increasing by the minute. "You sell out your own people, turn on your own blood, and you're not even sorry about it! 'Mighty' Chuundar appears to be nothing more than a fur-covered Hutt!"

"I know little about the Hutts, but they would understand what your exiled companion does not. Young Zaalbar has no foresight. Imagine the destruction if Czerka came in with blasters firing. I saved many lives...Of course, I also gained weapons and arranged for my rivals to be harvested."

"I'm with Faith on the 'fur-covered Hutt' opinion," Mission said.

"And what makes you think we'll do as you ask?" Vance said evenly.

Chuundar's face became harder and more dangerous. "You take my offer, or I will allow my Czerka allies to take you outside the village and kill you all. If you choose to live, Zaalbar will stay here to insure your loyalty. You can't defeat me here. No one would dare oppose me to join with an outsider or an exile."

"I...I will do as you ask," Zaalbar said. "My life belongs to the human woman, and I give it for her."

"Big Z, no!" Mission looked to her friends. "He...he can't do that! Just because he's Chieftain, he can't hold Zaalbar prisoner, can he?"

Buffy leaned to her. "I don't like this either, Mission. But he's holding the cards right now. We have to play it his way."

"Okay…okay…" Mission took a deep breath. "Then I'm staying here with Zaalbar."

"Mission, no," her Wookie friend said. "It will not…"

The Twi'lek defiantly crossed her arms and shook her head. "No talking me out of this, Big Z. Someone's gotta stay and make sure you're treated all right."

"Enough talk!" Chuundar bellowed. "I've given my orders! Goorwooken will take you to the Shadowlands by elevator. You wait at the home of the Holder of the Laws until he can come for you."

Buffy leaned in toward Zaalbar and Mission. "Don't worry. We'll get you out of this. I promise."

"And a promise from her is one gaur-damn-tee," Faith remarked.

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The group moved out of the chieftan's house and Bastila pulled out a small communicator. Flicking it on, she spoke into it. "Carth, can you hear me?"

There was a pause and Carth's voice echoed. "Bastila? Are you okay?"

"At the moment. Is something wrong?"

"Yeah," the soldier replied. "Seems Czerka has sent armed guards around the Hawk. We're not going to be able to take off until they give the okay."

Vance shook his head. "Got to hand it to them, they work fast."

Bastila nodded. "Meet us by the entrance to the Wookie village. We'll explain the situation then."

"Okay, me and Canderous will head out. We'll let HK stay with the ship and make sure no one gets on board."

"That little droid?"

Carth chuckled. "Actually, Canderous has been, ah, modifying some of his defense programming. Don't worry, he'll make sure the ship's okay."

Bastila decided she didn't want details. "Good, we'll meet you soon. Bastila out." She turned the communicator off and sighed. "It appears our mission has become more complicated."

"This is not right," Juhani said, her fur bristling along with her aura. "That a being could lead his people into slavery...I think of how I and my family were treated, like animals."

"Where are you from, anyway?" Buffy asked, realizing how little they knew of the Cathar.

"A pit of a world in a distant part of the galaxy," she replied, her eyes staring outward. "My parents fled there when our world was overrun by the Mandalorians. It was a poor choice, though. The people there were intolerant of aliens and the only work to be had was hard and back-breaking."

"I'm sorry," Buffy quietly said.

"It was not your fault," Juhani stated. "It…is not something I wish to think of often." She turned away, making it clear she considered the conversation ended. Buffy opened her mouth to press her but Vance put a hand on her shoulder. Looking to him, Buffy saw him solemnly nod and realized he was right.

As they waited for Carth and Canderous, they were taken to the Holder of the Laws. His home was a little smaller then Chuundar's "palace," but far older and made with great care. Right outside the home, there were two other Wookiees. The first was obviously young - a child. The other was speaking to him sternly.

"Woorwill, you make me worry! Even I cannot protect you, and it shames me to admit it."

Woorwill ignored him as he stared n wonder at the group. "Look, father! They are so strange - short and hairless."

"Woorwill, damn it! These are not to be trusted! They...all of their accursed kind...they have no honor, and seek only to use us as animals and slaves."

"We're not slavers," Buffy quickly stated.

Woorwill was fascinated. "I've...I've never spoken to outsiders, or even been so close to one. I mean, Chuundar teaches us to understand you, but..." The young one scowled. "I suppose you're here to laugh at us and gloat over how many of us you've taken. Can you even understand me?"

"I understand you just fine," Vance said. "I'm just here to find out more about the planet. Chuundar is holding my friend in the Chieftain's hall until I'm able to finish a task for him."

The elder Wookiee leaned in, astonished. "The friends of the mad-claw? He is not your slave?"

"No," Bastila stated. "We are Jedi – we don't own slaves."

The elder Wookie snorted. "Humph! I am Jaarak, and I have seen too much in my years. There is no such thing as honor in your kind. Stop bothering my boy! He doesn't need you taunting him!"

"But what if they know something, father?" the youngster asked. "They're friends of the mad-claw, and who knows what he has told them? Maybe they can help..."

"Help? Have you gone mad yourself, boy? These are outsiders. Look around you. They do nothing but lie, and steal, and taint the best among us." He glowered at the others. "Talk to me if you must, but you leave my son alone!"

"Easy, easy," Buffy said. "We're just trying to learn more about you all."

Jaarak waved a large arm. "I've nothing to say to you. Go and learn what you can while bleeding this world of its people and honor."

"Should we ask if they've seen Rorworr, father? They understand us. Most outsiders don't bother to learn our language."

"I will not speak to them, and neither will you, Woorwill! I'll not allow it."

"Who's this Rorworr?" Vance asked.

Woorwill's eyes lit up. "Oh, he was the greatest! He's led hunting parties through the Shadowlands, and even fought against outsiders! Slavers...like...like you probably are. He's taught me a lot. He said I could grow up to be as strong as him, and that I'd fight you, too. I will, too. I will!"

"I take it he's missing?" Buffy asked.

Woorwill nodded. "Yes, for ten days now. He went down in the Shadowlands and hasn't been seen since." The younger Wookie sighed. "I hope he's okay. Those slavers are tough but I know Rorworr would go down fighting! But he can't die, he's too strong to just------"

Jaraak yanked on his son's arm and shouted at the party. "You are outsiders, and your kind have done more damage here then any one of you could ever hope to fix! You taint us and bring out the worst in everything. You will get no respect from me. Come, Woorwill, we're heading home while we still have one."

He took his son by the paw and dragged him off, leaving the group exchanging glances. "For some reason, I figured this place would be a little friendlier," Buffy noted.

Faith sniffed. "Guess it doesn't matter what species it is, there's always some assholes in the bunch."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Canderous and Carth arrived twenty minutes earlier, neither happy with the situation but realizing their choices were limited. The group were soon led to a walkway leading to a large wooden elevator. The Wookie there glared at them. "I am Gorwooken," he introduced himself. "Chuundar has told me to lead you down to the Shadowlands. I will warn you there are creatures there even the strongest of us are wary of facing. Many have gone into the Shadowlands and few have returned."

"Any other…ah, outsiders go down there?" Buffy asked.

"Only those Chuundar has allowed," Gorwooken stated. "And the Hairless One. He has lived there for many years. He respects us as we do him although he is…strange."

"Sounds like my kinda guy," Faith noted with a smile.

The group boarded the elevator and Gorwooken began to lower it. It took almost half an hour for it to enter the Shadowlands and the light dimmed more and more as they headed down. By the time they reached the bottom, it was as if it was the dead of night, the shadows of the trees barely visible. The group exited the elevator, Carth and Canderous in the lead. The Mandalorian flicked a light attached to his rifle to allow some illumination as they carefully made their way into the dark forest.

Bastila's face was concerned as she looked about. "This place is so alive…it is difficult to focus through the Force."

"Oh, good, not just me," Buffy remarked, one hand on her lightsaber. Faith was behind her, one hand holding a vibroblade, the other a blaster. She started and spun around at a sound behind her. She saw a spider-like creature crawl up a tree and rustle in the branches. "Now I'm really reminded of back home," she remarked.

Carth shook his head. "This isn't good. I'm betting that Chuundar sent us down here just to get rid of us."

"Way ahead of you on that one," Buffy said. "But then, a trap's only a trap if you're not expecting it. As long as we know what's going on, we won't fall-----"

She broke off as she bounced on something and fell back. Vance managed to catch her, confused as there was nothing before her. There was a crackling of energy and suddenly the air before them shimmered to reveal a Mandalorian in full armor. Two more materialized right beside him, all aiming rifles at the group.

Before they realized it, the crew was surrounded as nearly a dozen Mandalorians appeared around them as if from thin air. All of them were aiming their weapons, making it clear they were ready to fire if any of the Jedi moved. The group found themselves back to back as they tried to figure out options.

Vance glanced at Buffy. "Do you just plan these ironic comments?"

As Buffy glared at him, Canderous sneered at the Mandalorians. "Stealth suits, eh? You probably spend your time hunting the Wookies who come down here, selling some and killing the rest." He shook his head. "Am I the only one with a sense of honor anymore?"

"Actually," a dry voice echoed in the darkness. "They're with me."

The group looked up to see a squat man in a blue coat, white cowl and goggles step forward, a smug smile on his face.

"Oh, you've gotta be shitting me!" Faith yelled.

The man's smile grew. "You've led me on a nice little chase. But no one gets away from Calo Nord in the end."