Savior Self
I'm sad because no one has caught my clever jokeee in the title.
DANTOOINE PART ONE! EVERYONE APPLAUD!
Rated PG13
Disclaimer: -disclaims-
Savior Self
Cortessa watched calmly as the ship touched down with a gentle bob. The engines hissed and powered down.
"We've landed," Carth said, and looked up at her. They shared a smile; an increasing occurrence. She loved it when he smiled – he seemed so much younger, so much warmer. It comforted her to know she could still make him smile.
Bastila shifted her robes and sat up straight. "Now I must go speak with the Council," she said smoothly, looking the two of them over disapprovingly. "I need their advice on… recent developments. After I have met with them, I will meet you outside the ship." She smoothed out her robes one last time before she stood and left.
"What's up her skirt?" Cortessa wondered allowed.
Carth sighed, but couldn't restrain a smile. "Cortessa… not now."
She frowned at him, folding her arms, but a smirk tugged at the sides of her lips and she couldn't hold her expression. She giggled, and pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle the noise. The pilot peered in.
"Are you two done in here?" he said. "Bastila came out looking something ornery."
"That's Bastila for you," Cortessa replied.
Carth laughed.
The pilot rolled his eyes and left.
Instantly the levity faded away. Cortessa bowed her head and left. Carth followed, pausing only to make sure the ship wouldn't come to harm while he was away. The slaves had already departed, save for Fay, for she was waiting for the pilot. The cook wandered past Carth and down the loading ramp without a word, and the Exchange thug was nowhere in sight.
"I'm glad we could help them off of Taris before they were blown up," Cortessa said softly.
Carth looked at her and smiled. "Hey, I know they didn't say it out loud, but I bet they really appreciate what you did. You saved their lives."
"I would have saved everyone else if I could have," she said quietly.
He pressed a hand to her shoulder. "You can't save everyone, gorgeous," he reminded her. "That's the hard thing about the galaxy."
"I know, but…" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter."
"It does to me," he murmured.
She ignored him, peering out the window. "Bastila's coming back," she said. "Let's go."
They stepped out the loading ramp and were greeted by Bastila. "I have spoken briefly with the Council," she informed them. She nodded at Cortessa. "They request an audience with you. We should go at once."
Carth scowled. "An audience with the Jedi Council? That's pretty unusual for someone who isn't even a Jedi. What's this about, Bastila?"
She gazed at him with mock sympathy. "I'm sorry, Carth, but I cannot tell you," she said. "All I ask is that you trust in the Force and the wisdom of the Council."
Carth shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I don't like being let out of the loop," he told her darkly. "But I'm not looking to get you in any trouble with the Jedi Masters."
Cortessa snorted. As if he could. She made her own choices, not him.
Carth glanced at her and shrugged, turning his gaze back to Bastila. "We'll try things your way for a while."
"Who said you call the shots on my behalf?" Cortessa said, folding her arms. "I don't like this."
Carth smiled weakly. Bastila glared.
"You will come," she said forcefully. "They are expecting us. I will lead you to the Council chambers. Come!" She grabbed Cortessa's hand and literally dragged her through the Academy. Finally, after a good fifty meters of pain, Cortessa relented and walked alongside her.
Carth walked behind her, though Bastila flashed him obvious signs that he should turn back. As Bastila got further and further ahead, they picked up the pace, when they were stopped by a Jedi, who thrust her arm outwards and shouted.
"You there!" she barked. "Padawan! Why are you not wearing the customary robes of the Jedi? Do you mock the honored traditions of our Order?"
Carth sputtered, shocked. Bastila continued on ahead of them; apparently she hadn't overheard the assault.
Cortessa pressed her hands to her hips. "I believe you are mistaken," she said silkily. "I am not a Padawan. I am Cortessa Blatt. I came here with Bantha – I mean… Bastila."
Carth snorted. "You're awful, Cortessa! Just awful!"
The Jedi ignored Cortessa's obvious insult. "Bastila? I have heard of her. They say she has already mastered the art of Battle Meditation. Remarkable in one so young, though I have heard she has a foolish pride of her own talents…" She paused, resting her hands on her hips. "But as for you… you claim you are not a Padawan?" She snorted. "I find this hard to believe. The Force is strong within you. I can feel its presence."
Cortessa blinked and frowned, looking at Carth. He shrugged, not sure what to say. Bastila had said the same thing. Perhaps she wasn't just blowing off steam. And it would explain why she was so powerful in persuading others… and doing well in combat.
The Jedi folded her arms. "If this is some type of jest, it is in very poor taste," she told them. "The Jedi Order is not a subject for jokes."
Cortessa snarled nastily, pressing her hands to her hips. "I am not lying. I have better things to do than to waste my time teasing someone as worthless as you. Move aside. I didn't come here to be scolded by you, child."
The Jedi quailed. "No, I suppose you did not," she muttered. "I apologize." She cleared her throat. "Please forgive the abruptness with which I first greeted you. It was harsh, and perhaps unfair. My Master often warns me I must learn to control my emotions. I see I have much left to learn." She sighed. "I wish you a pleasant stay here on Dantooine. May the Force be with you."
They shared a courteous bow and continued on their way. They ran into Bastila, who glowered fiercely.
"Where were you? You're late!" she hissed, and shoved them from behind all the way to the Council room. She locked Carth out and bodily forced Cortessa in front of the Council.
Cortessa sank to one knee and bowed her head with respect that didn't go all the way to her heart.
"Rise," said one.
She stood.
"Ah," said one, a male Twi'lek, with warm pink skin. He smiled genially, studying Cortessa with warm openness. "So you are the one who rescued Bastila. It is appropriate you are here. We have been discussing your rather… special case. I am Zhar, a member of the Jedi Council." He motioned with his hand, showing Cortessa the four other men there.
"With me are Master Vrook," Zhar said, and a leather-skinned man with a sour face stared at her, arms folded, "Master Vandar," Zhar continued, and a bouncy, small, green-skinned thing bowed to her, "and of course, the Chronicler of our Academy, Master Dorak." A brown-skinned man smiled at her; Cortessa liked him already. She liked all of them already, save for Vrook, with his accusing glare. Zhar cleared his throat, and nodded towards Bastila. "Padawan Bastila, I am sure you are already familiar with."
Bastila grinned at Cortessa brightly.
The words slipped past her before she could stop them. "Isn't the Jedi Council on Coruscant?"
Stunned silence washed over the Masters. Bastila gawked. After a moment, Zhar laughed. "Yes, the High Council of the Jedi Order is on Coruscant, but we are the Council in charge of the training facility here on Dantooine."
Bastila looked faint.
Cortessa nodded. "What do you want from me?" she asked.
Zhar smiled at her. He was comforting in his smile. "Bastila tells us you are strong in the Force. We are considering you for Jedi training."
Cortessa blinked. "Strong in the Force?" she said. She chuckled, shaking her head. "Uh, no. Sorry. I'm… no."
Bastila bit her tongue.
Vrook raised his eyebrows, glancing at Zhar. "Master Zhar speaks out of turn, perhaps. We need indisputable proof of your strong affinity to the Force before we could even consider accepting you for training."
Bastila sputtered. Some of Cortessa's stubbornness was rubbing off on her. "Proof? Surely the entire Council can feel the strength of the Force within this woman… and I have already related to you the events that took place on Taris…"
Vrook glared at her and jabbed a finger in her direction. "Perhaps it was simple luck."
Cortessa folded her arms. This was all getting a little wearying.
Zhar put a hand on Vrook's shoulder. "We both know there is no luck. There is only the Force. We all feel the power in Bastila's companion, though it is wild and untamed. Now that this power has begun to manifest itself, can we safely ignore it?"
"I'm right here!" Cortessa chirped.
Dorak restrained a chuckle. Vandar gazed at her approvingly; Vrook glared.
"The Jedi training is long and difficult, even when working with a young and open mind. Teaching a child is hard. How much harder will it be for an adult to learn the ways of the Jedi?"
"I'm not interested," Cortessa said, clasping her hands behind her back. "I'm quite content being normal old me. Vibroblades and ale, thanks. Holy water makes me sleepy, and I don't deal well with killer beams of light."
Bastila made a noise of utter horror.
Dorak looked bowled over. "But you are a special case!" he gasped.
Cortessa frowned, folding her arms in front of her chest. "Look, what if I don't believe in your 'Force' mumbo-jumbo?" she said, cocking an eyebrow. "What then?"
Bastila looked faint. She weakly sat down in a nearby chair, her hand clutched to her heart.
The room was hanging in silence. Vrook looked absolutely furious; Vandar was stunned; Zhar was torn between morbid amusement and confusion; Dorak looked ill.
"You… don't believe in the Force?" Vandar murmured at last.
The Masters looked at each other, eyes wide.
"This… this is an interesting development indeed," Dorak mumbled at last. "Uh… mm… W-We need to… think about this."
Vandar cleared his throat. "We should discuss this matter more fully in private. Bastila, you and your companion must go. This is a matter for the Council alone."
Bastila stumbled to her feet, obviously dizzied. "As you wish, Master Vandar," she said breathlessly. "We shall return to the Ebon Hawk and leave you to your deliberations." She turned and gripped Cortessa's hand with her own. Her fingers were pale and trembling, but held her with an iron grip. Cortessa gasped in pain as Bastila's nails dug deep into her skin.
The Padawan dragged Cortessa out of the room, and Carth stared at them.
"You alright?" he asked.
"S-She… UGH!" Bastila sputtered and released her companion. "You… she…"
"I told the Council I didn't believe in the Force," said Cortessa smoothly, smiling.
Carth gaped for a moment, shocked, but it quickly passed and he burst out laughing. Bastila bit her lip.
"It is not a humorous matter!" she cried.
"Why? Does it ruin your karma, Bas?" Cortessa said, smirking.
Carth was still laughing.
"You – I – they – we – I – you…" Bastila sputtered. Finally she just gave up and, with a vicious glare, she marched to the Ebon Hawk.
Carth clapped Cortessa on the shoulder, catching his breath.
"It's alright, doll," Cortessa said, smiling at him. "Do you want me to apologize?"
"Just be who you are," he said between gasps for breath. "That's all anyone wants."
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Author's Notes: Short chapter, I'm sorry. I figured that was enough, though. Next one will be much longer. But: WOOOOO! DANTOOOINE! YAAAAAAAAY!
Sorry for not replying to all last time. I forgot. It was an early-morning upload, you know? I promise to get some more KotOR I fanart out there. I just love writing KotOR II stuff because the characters are so colorful and easy to mess around with. Trust me, I still love KotOR I and I will get some stuff out there.
Dante-Revan – You are so right. I'm glad you liked the little extras I added in there. They made me happy, too. Your comments mean a lot for me, and I'm sorry that Davik's death wasn't… gory enough. XD
SilverSentinal21 – Really? I think I may have seen it once before, but I can't reply. The idea just came to me and I was like, 'why not?' So here we are.
Amme Moto – Yeah. They would have added fighting force, right?
FaintlyAlarming – Yes it does.
Dark Lord Daishi – Hey, there. I won't give away her alignment, but I assure you it will be fun.
Ilea Dreike – Yeah, I liked the Atton cameo. I'm surprised no one else really commented on it.
DarthNexus9000 – Thank you.
