Slayers of the Old Republic
Book V: Tatooine
By Michael Weyer
Sorry it's been a while since the last update, computer troubles. I'm open to all reviews, good or bad so if you like the story, feel free to add a comment!
At the end of Anchorhead was a large metallic gate that led the way to the Dune Sea. Buffy, Vance, Bastila, Mission and HK were heading toward it as a Jawa rushed up to them.
"You there, of your kind, can you help Iziz of Jawa? There are troubles from the ghosts among the sands."
"What is it you want, Iziz?" Buffy asked.
"Iziz, I am. Leader of the tribe that is mine. You are the same in kind, a leader that stands before your tribe?" Iziz asked. "There are troubles that we have. The giants made of sand, they are horned ghosts that take us away. "
Vance looked to the droid. "HK?"
"Translation: 98 probability that members of the miniature organics tribe are being held by Sand People, Master. Doubtless he wishes assistance."
"What about the other 2?" Buffy warily asked.
"Translation: 2 probability that the miniature organic is simply looking for trouble and needs to be blasted." The droid paused and then gave a slight shrug. "Admission: That may be wishful thinking on my part, Master."
Sighing, Buffy turned back to the Jawa. "What is it you need from us?"
"There has been no help given by asking the great group that digs with machines. Now Iziz asks you. I ask that you find us, and then bring away from the People of Sand. Then we will offer a trade with you. Long have we scavenged, among you and those that came before. We have things that you will like for this service."
"Why have they taken your people? " Bastila asked, obviously understanding his language.
"We find things, and they use them. Jawas slave, serving. They lead with the whip and gaffi. With the group that digs, we trade and are free. With people of sand, we serve and die. We prefer you," Iziz noted.
"We are looking for something called a Star Map. Can you help?" Vance asked.
Though they really couldn't see his face and his eyes were constantly glowing yellow, Iziz seemed to brighten up, his aura radiating hope. "These are things I know! Yes! From those that came before, the guide to lights far and away!" Iziz chirped. "I can tell you. Please, first help the tribe of Iziz among the People of Sand and we will trade what we each need. "
"You'll tell me after I help you?" Vance clarified.
"Warning: More likely the deceiving little organic hopes to trick you into going there so you release his people while searching, Master." HK seriously noted.
"Regardless," Bastila stated. "We can use all the help we can get finding the Star Map. We shall help," she told the Jawa.
The small creature nodded. "Good! Good! Go to help our tribe, you are! Thank you, great big ones! Thank you!" He waddled off as the group moved toward the waiting gate.
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Leaving the city limits made the group realize how harsh Tatooine was. It wasn't so much the oppressive heat as the twin suns. They beat down mercilessly, giving no opportunity for shade or refuge from the heat. It also reflected off the sand, making the dunes even brighter and making the entire group happy they'd purchased some shaded glasses and goggles.
"Scratch this place off the next shore leave, too," Vance announced as the gates to Anchorhead shut behind them.
They had barely made it out the gate when a woman stopped them, eying them with suspicion, "Hello there. You're heading out to the desert? You're hunters right? You must be if you've been allowed to leave Anchorhead. When you see Tanis, and I know you know him, tell him his wife hopes he enjoys the anniversary gift."
"What makes you think we know him?" Buffy asked.
"Don't play dumb. You're just another of his playthings down at that 'hunting' club," the woman said coldly, "I know your type through and through."
Buffy frowned at Vance. "Wasn't Tanis the jerk Faith wanted to clobber?"
He nodded. "Sounds like it."
The woman sniffed. "So he's moving on to your friends? If he's going after them, they must be rather loose."
"Query: Shall I blast this insulting female meatbag, Master?" HK asked, weapon at the ready.
"At ease, HK," Buffy said as she looked at the woman. "Just what are you talking about? What message is this?"
The woman blinked and shrugged, "Just a little something to remember me by. Something that symbolizes our years together. Something that will blow up in his face, " she gleefully added, "Of course, he'll never understand how appropriate it is. He can't talk his way out of this one. He's not smart enough."
"You sound like you're planning to kill him." Bastila warily noted.
"Oh, I'm through planning," the woman said, "I just left him a little mess that he has to take care of. If he's smart, he'll be just fine." She smiled cruelly. "But he's not smart. Like I said, when you see him, tell him his wife Marlena says hello." She turned and ran into Anchorhead.
"Okay…at least that wasn't weird," Mission dryly noted.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Man oh man, Anya would have had a field day in this galaxy."
They made their way toward the direction of the Tusken Village and hadn't gone too far when they came across the odd site of a tall man surrounded by four spider-shaped droids. "Anyone out there...?" he called out. "Could you help? I seem to be... ah... doomed."
"Let me guess," Vance remarked as they walked up to him. "That must be Tanis."
"Hey there, thanks for stopping. I appreciate it," Tanis said gratefully. "I've been stuck without water for hours. Wasn't looking good. Could you... " He stopped and his smile became a leer as he took in Buffy and Bastila. "Well, well, looks like I lucked out on rescuers today."
"Your wife Marlena says 'hi'," Buffy said, just as gleefully as Marlena had.
"I'll bet she does," Tanis scowled, "She's decided I've finally worn out my welcome, and she's 'fixed' my droids to do her dirty work. "
"This should be interesting. " Bastila muttered.
"I triggered some sort of trap she programmed. She probably figured I wouldn't be smart enough to get out." He stopped and shrugged. "Uh, she was right. I'd, ahh, really appreciate a bit of help. Please?"
"I say leave him." Even HK seemed surprised to hear it was Bastila who said that.
"You're pretty heartless for such a pretty lady, you know that?" Tanis noted to her, the usual leer back in his voice.
Bastila snorted, "I take it back. Let´s go congratulate his wife."
"Never knew you had it in you, Bastila," Vance noted with a smirk. "Better be glad Jolee isn't around to hear you now, you'd never hear the end of it."
"Commentary: I say we blast the meatbag and save you the trouble, Master," HK suggested.
"What's with all the droids, lately? My wife get to you too?" Tanis whined to the assassin droid.
"Negative. I just don't like organic meatbags. Except for the Master, of course. Ha ha."
"Come on!" Tanis begged. "I'll die out here! If the droids don't kill me, I'll pass out from thirst."
"Sucks to be you," Buffy stated.
"Come on!" Tanis yelled.
The Jedi exchanged glances and then sighs. "Damn, that Code can be inconvenient," Buffy muttered as she headed to one of the droids. Vance went to another and quickly managed to fix its programming. Buffy's technical skills weren't as advanced but the droid was basic enough to handle. Soon, all four were falling to the sand in piles.
Tanis let out a long sigh. "Oh, man, thanks a lot! Really!" He made a move to hug Buffy but one look at her face stopped him. "Um…I should, ah…get going back."
"Excellent idea," Bastila bit out. They watched the man scamper back to Anchorhead as quick as he could. The elder Jedi sighed as she turned back to the others. "As much as I hate to say it, there are times when I can almost understand the Sith's treatment of certain people."
"Observation," HK piped up. "A healthy blood lust is just the thing to keep one's spirits alive."
"Let's hope we don't have to use it too much," Vance said as they continued on their way through the desert.
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Jolee coughed a bit as the wind blew a batch of sand at his throat. "Gods, I forgot how hostile other planets can be."
"Makes you sorry you decided to take a break with us, uh?" Faith asked. She, Jolee, Carth and Juhani were marching through the dunes, following Canderous. The Mandalorian was ready for battle, having donned an old war suit. His rifle was pushed aside in favor of a long vibroblade. His face was stern and emotionless as he kept the march on.
"It is interesting that you chose to go with us, Jolee," Carth said, trying to make himself sound casual. "I guess you finally decided that the current war is worth fighting, huh?"
Jolee shook his head. "That's right, sonny. The Sith are the greatest evil to hit the galaxy since, well, the Mandalorians. And they're the worst thing since Exar Kun. Blah, blah, blah, etcetera, etcetera."
Carth stopped to stare at him, obviously confused. "Okay, old man, you lost me there. Are you trying to make a point?"
Jolee faced him with a tired look. "Look, everyone figures the time they live in is the most epic, most important age to end all ages." Jolee shrugged. "But tyrants rise and fall, and historians sort out the pieces."
"Are you saying what we're doing isn't important?" Faith asked.
Jolee gave a half-shrug. "Malak is a tyrant who should be stopped. If he conquers the galaxy, we're in for a couple of rough centuries. Eventually, it'll come around again, but I'd rather not wait that long." Jolee put his hands behind his back and looked Carth in the eye. "So, we do what we have to do and we try to stop the Sith, but don't start thinking this war - your war - is more important than any other war just because you're in it."
"Interesting theory, but I don't buy it," Carth stated. "The Republic stands for something; it's stood for 15,000 years." Carth hung his head. "And if it falls, everything will change forever."
Jolee's lips turned upward. "Son, when you get to my age, you'll realize that 'forever' is a term that doesn't mean quite the same as when you were young."
"Are you two going to talk all day or are we getting on with this?" Canderous angrily demanded as he kept the march up.
The four moved over a dune and stopped. Jagi was standing in a small valley, also holding a blade. Behind him were a half dozen local mercenaries of various types, all loaded for bear. "This was predictable," Faith muttered.
"So, Canderous," Jagi announced. "You decided to bring aid? Despite this being a duel of honor?"
"What are they supposed to be?" Canderous argued, motioning to the men behind Jagi. "An honor guard?"
"Just making sure you stick to the rules, Canderous," Jagi stated.
The Mandalorian's face was tight. "Unlike some, I still have honor, Jagi."
"Then prove it," Jagi said, hefting his blade.
Canderous moved in, pulling his blade up. The others kept an eye on him as the two Mandalorians faced each other. They held their blades in salutes and then moved in. The air was soon filled with sparks as metal hit metal and they moved about on the sand.
The group had never seen two Mandalorians fighting like this and it was impressive. Even Jolee and Juhani were thrown by the pure ferocity the two showed as Jagi cut Canderous along the mid-section. The man hissed and struck back, kicking a foot of sand into Jagi's eyes. The man hissed and backed up, wiping his face as Canderous moved in, sword flashing. Jagi managed to block a few blows, eyes watering as he tried to get his footing. Canderous spun about and jammed his sword into the man's chest. Jagi yelled in pain as he fell forward.
One of the mercenaries pulled a pistol and aimed it at Canderous. The gun flew out of his hand and across the sands into Jolee's. The elder Jedi had his lightsaber ignited, as did Juhani. Carth already had his blasters out. Faith didn't hold any weapons but simply glared at the men behind Jagi. The mercenaries were smart enough to know they were outmatched and wisely kept their distance.
Jagi knelt on the sand, blood pouring onto the ground beneath him. He looked up at Canderous, who held his blade high. "Do it," he hissed. "Go on. Do it."
Canderous held the blade high and then brought it down. It landed right before Jagi's face. The man stared at it, then at Canderous with a baffled look. The elder Mandalorian knelt down, his jaw set. "Do it yourself," he hissed. "This was your idea, Jagi. You wanted a duel of honor. End it with honor."
Jagi stared at him for a long moment and something resembling respect flickered in his eyes. Nodding, he hefted the sword and turned it so the blade was pointing up. Taking a deep breath, he fell forward so the blade sliced into his jaw and through the top of his head.
"Oh, god," Faith winced, turning her head away. "It can't be through the heart like any normal suicide?"
Jagi's body fell forward, Canderous staring down at it. He lifted his head up to stare at the mercenaries and pointed back to Anchorhead. "Get out of my sight. I don't care about whatever money he owed you. Just take your lives as payment." He continued to glare as the mercenaries slowly walked away.
Faith took a step forward but Canderous, his back still to her, held up a hand. "I must bury him," he said. "This is a private matter."
Nodding, Faith backed up along with the others. "Amazing," Carth muttered. "I would never have guessed he had it in him."
"Honor and glory," Jolee said. "It's something we old war-horses still hold tight to."
Carth rubbed his chin. "Still something. Jagi hates him enough to hunt him throughout the galaxy and ends up taking his own life over it."
"Hate's a funny thing," Faith stated. She looked to Carth. "I'd think you'd know something about that."
Carth frowned, knowing what she was talking about. "You know why I want to kill Saul, Faith."
"And then what?"
Carth frowned. "You mean after I kill him?"
"Yeah. What happens afterwards?"
Carth shrugged and looked away. "I never thought about it. I suppose I always assumed that I would be dead once Saul was."
Fear trickled through Faith, like ice water dripping down her spine. "Why? What kind of risks do you plan on taking?" she said, her face tight and angered.
Carth held up his hands defensively. "Understand that whenever I envisioned taking on Saul in the past, it was always as the captain of my own ship or alone. In those cases I would risk everything. I'm not in the same situation, now. I wouldn't risk hurting you, or the others. If I saw Saul, however, if I had the chance, I don't know what I would do. I really don't. I mean his death has been my entire focus for so long."
"And then nothing?" Faith said. "You figure you might as well die with him?" She shook her head. "I may not have known your wife, Carth, but I kinda doubt she'd want that."
Carth sniffed. "She'd have liked you, I can tell you that. So full of vigor, strong, independent."
"My kind of lady," Faith smirked. "And she had good taste."
Carth raised an eyebrow. "That a compliment?"
Faith sniffed. "Don't get cocky, flyboy."
The two Jedi watched from a few feet away and exchanged bemused smiles. "I sense sparks," Juhani whispered.
Jolee snorted. "Hell, I sense a forest fire."