This chapter is still from the "vignettes" version of my fanfic. here have been a few changes though, but nothing that totally alters the course of events.

The following chapters will be original.


The general alarm rang out that night. The Endar Spire was under enemy fire.

The piercing tone of the alarm jolted us all out of our sleep. When I opened my eyes, I immediately saw that the glass screens had been blacked out by the shielding device meant to be automatically released in case of events like the one we were apparently going through.

In the blocks where I was staying, five of my colleagues, including Hannah and Harden, were suddenly awakened. It took no time for them to figure out what was happening and take action. They all somehow magically deserted their bunks and ran out of the dormitory to the area where our equipment was stored. Not quite sure of what to do in such a situation, it took me a few more long, too long seconds to mimic my companions. As I made my way to my own locker, I was sternly challenged by Harden:

« Damn it, do something! It's a general alarm, it's a serious matter! »

I made no reply and struggled to speed up as I feared that my lack of experience would endanger the integrity of the group I belonged to. Hastily, I changed into my armour and firmly grasped a basic sword that had been entrusted to me. I had not been officially allowed to fight with a ranged weapon; although I was not entirely unfamiliar with their operation and use, my limited training had not enabled me to handle these weapons according to the extensive safety requirements of the Republic. I knew how to use them, but I was not allowed to. So I had to rely on melee weapons. As I strapped the scabbard to my belt, a saturated voice echoed throughout our block, and likely resonated throughout the rest of the cruiser:

« General alarm. Mobilisation of the fighting force. General alarm. Mobilisation of the fighting force. »

I rushed to my colleagues who were about to leave the barracks. In the distance I could see our Lieutenant Trask Ulgo, who was already briefing us:

« Ladies and gentlemen. Here's the situation: the Sith have intercepted the Endar Spire. They are pursuing Commander Shan. Lieutenant Onasi has already dispatched a team to escort the Commander to the west wing escape pods. As we speak, they should be very close. You will neutralise any Sith you encounter as you make your own way to the pods. We must protect Bastila Shan at any cost. Is that clear? »

« Aye, Sir! » The whole group shouted together.

« Let's move, then! » Trask Ulgo finished in his inspired voice, taking the lead of our small unit, to get to the intended destination.

As he unlocked the door to the block, which opened onto a wide corridor, sounds of fighting could now be heard. As soon as the door slid wide open, gunfire erupted in the corridor in all directions. We all stayed under cover for a short time and when things got reasonably quiet again, we went into the fight. Soon I spotted five Sith soldiers who had seemingly just taken out two colleagues from another area. Ulgo and my comrades all managed to find places to hide from the imminent Sith fire, and they all readied themselves for their upcoming retaliation. I, on the other hand, felt quite helpless with my simple blade and my inexperience. A little further on, I noticed Hannah waving to me to get to her, which I did.

« Here Corem. » She said, handing me her emergency blaster rifle. « I don't care about those goddamn regulations. The Sith are here, and there's no way I'm leaving you on the front lines without a gun because of some crazy regulations. If we survive and they ever try to charge you, you can say that you have been intimidated. »

I was a little stunned, but nevertheless grabbed the weapon she was holding out to me; a weapon that gave me a rather unexpected, though ultimately very predictable and rightful, comfort.

« Thank you Hannah. » I said gratefully.

The Sith engaged us in combat, and a flurry of lasers again flashed across the corridor in our direction.

Hannah bent down and fired back, shooting one of the Sith in the shoulder. My other colleagues did the same, killing two of the soldiers. As they launched another attack, I chose to crouch slightly and aim at one of the Sith, the one who apparently tried to engage the Lieutenant. I switched my weapon to its most powerful mode and fired the only shot that mode allowed. The power of the laser caused smoke to rise from the barrel and briefly obstruct Hannah's view and mine. When the smoke dissipated, we could both see that I had reached the target. The soldier was lying on the ground, his skull fuming. Hannah briskly faced me and I could tell that she was smiling in awe. She elbowed me and said:

« I knew I was putting this weapon in the hands of someone reliable. »

I gave her a restrained smile, shocked by the appalling sight of the man I had just slaughtered, but also by Hannah's very unsettling display of joy. I was not used to all this. Without wasting any more time, I reset my weapon to its standard function. In a matter of seconds, my companions had shot the last two soldiers, who were apparently unsettled by the particularly brutal death of their partner.

« Come on, let's move! » Lieutenant Ulgo shouted, waving his hand and urging us to follow him. As soon as I caught up with him, he stopped at the sight of me and, and with one hand on my shoulder, he said gratefully:

« Thank you, soldier. »

He then took the lead and proceeded to the nearest escape pods. About ten minutes went by, during which we faced off against dozens of Sith troopers. All of them perished against our group, despite the fact that some of us got injured. In another corridor, we got caught in a tight pincer. On one side, Harden, Hannah and another companion were engaged in battle with four Sith troopers. On the opposite side stood Trask Ulgo, a very young, almost teenage Recruit, and myself; instinctively, we attacked the other three soldiers nearby. However, as we drew closer to our enemies, a shattering explosion broke out, shaking the entire cabin. In the next second, a massive portion of the corridor's steel structure collapsed and separated our group in a much more tangible way. Without really worrying about this for the moment, I took advantage of the thick particle emanation that this collapse had provoked to throw myself at my opponents. This time, I decided to use my saber to better surprise the Sith, who were seemingly confused. Within seconds, I had taken out the soldiers, one by one, with the edge of my blade. Once I was sure there was no one left, I turned back to Trask, who was kneeling near the wreckage, his smoking blaster in his hand. I took the ten steps or so that separated me from him, and found the young Recruit, lying in a pool of his own blood, his trunk, pelvis and legs crushed under the thick metal plates. I also spotted a small round circle on his forehead from which a trickle of blood was leaking. Ulgo gave me a sorry and disillusioned look: he had finished off the boy. Then, without saying a word, the Lieutenant got up and walked a few steps away from the corpse of our companion. Giving death to a Sith was not the easiest of jobs. I couldn't even imagine the pain of having to give it to one of your men.

I stood there, my eyes locked on the young soldier, and yet in a kind of absence. I was told that I would only be asked if the situation was desperate... I never thought that I would have the misfortune to be caught up in such a scenario. Why did I engage in this mess? What could have been going through my mind? Obviously, I was not one of those who could tolerate the prospect of death. And yet I was standing in the middle of a war scene, worthy of the most violent holofilms. I had to escape from these concerns. They were nothing but a waste of time. I must not allow my emotions to get the better of me, my task was not over. Suddenly, voices called out to us from the other side of the collapse:

« Lieutenant! Can you hear us? » A frightened Harden asked.

« I can hear you. What is your situation? »

« We're safe now. We have neutralized the Sith. We're going to clear the way. »

« No! » Ulgo retorted. « There is no time. You'll have to take another way. Go to the east wing pods, that's the best you can do. »

There was an uncomfortable silence. I felt bad about such a decision, which many would describe as cruel. However, from a military perspective, it was very sensible. We could not afford to waste any more time. Bastila Shan was the priority. Not Hannah or Harden, or any other ordinary serviceman.

« Aye, Lieutenant. We're on our way. » Hannah's voice declared. She sounded confident and extremely competent, as she always did. She hadn't been given the order, but I knew she was going to take the lead of their group from now on. A wave of anxiety ran through my body right then - I was afraid. . I feared for Harden. I feared for Hannah. I was worried for her husband and daughters, who might soon be told some very sad news.

« Come on, Recruit! » The Lieutenant said to me. I struggled out of my daze and moved on with the man.

We were no longer too far from the pods. Luckily we had not come across any other Sith units, only a few individuals here and there who were apparently trying to stay out of the fight. But we had to deal with them, and we had eventually brought down about six more soldiers. We were getting close. We had to hold on. The pods were only a corridor and a few rooms away. As we ran through a small infirmary, we were stopped in our rush by a particularly fearsome-looking man wearing metal armour. He was rather tall, with a slender build. His face was almost sickly pale, greatly enhanced by a completely bare skull, and he had a pair of gloomy eyes. He did not pay us any immediate attention. When we came across him, he looked rather interested in something on the ground. Or rather someone. Then I saw him raise his head to us, and after running his fingers along his black goatee, he smiled in satisfaction.

« Gentlemen. » He greeted in a deceptively warm voice. « One down. » The man pointed to what he was dealing with before we walked in. It was a corpse. A woman. A Jedi. The one who accompanied the Commander. « Where are the others? » The man then asked, as he stepped towards us. With his right hand he lifted a remnant of cloth hanging from one of the metal straps of his armour, and picked up a cylindrical object. « Where is Bastila Shan? »

He questioned impatiently now, still walking in our direction. In no time I caught sight of my Lieutenant moving up between me and the man. In the process, he seized my sword and took up an offensive position in front of the opponent, which made him laugh.

« Take the chamber on the right! » Trask Ulgo then ordered me. « It will make the way a little longer, but you will get to your destination soon. I'll lock the door as soon as you leave. Find your Commander, soldier! Go! »

Despite the shock of the moment, and of the words spoken by my superior, I resolved that there was no longer room for reflection on my actions. I had been given an order, I had to comply, that' s all. Not wasting any more time, I broke into a brisk stride and walked out of the small infirmary, abandoning Ulgo to this unknown man. As the door closed behind me, I could hear an unusual, yet very telling sound: the unmistakable whir of a lightsaber. So that's what he had unbuckled from his belt. There was no chance for Trask. But I had to hurry, otherwise the Sith would have my life, too. I sprinted with all my might through the maze of rooms. I put so much energy into it that when I opened the very last door to the pods, I collapsed from physical and mental exhaustion.

Yet a pressure on my shoulder snapped me out of my lethargy. I instinctively seized the source of this sensation and readied myself for a fight with this mysterious individual I hadn't even noticed. But when I lifted my eyes, I could see the rather startled face of Lieutenant Onasi. In a smooth gesture, he knelt down to my level.

« Calm down, Galhor, calm down. » He spoke calmly. « I was waiting for some others to join the pods. Are you alone, Galhor? »

I stared at the man blankly, wide-eyed. I just nodded in response. He sighed defeatedly and then stood up.

« Then there is no time to be lost here. Come on, Recruit. There are still a few pods left, we have to get off the ship once and for all. Bastila has apparently made it to our wing. The last pods were released about twenty minutes ago. They must have already made their way to Taris. We should not delay any longer, let's go and find Bastila. »

The man walked over to me and extended a supportive hand, which I immediately took. I followed my superior into one of the remaining pods, out of breath. We sat down and strapped ourselves in at full speed. Then Carth released the safeties and our pod was almost as quickly ejected from its metal alveolus, slamming us violently into our seats. Before the pod penetrated the atmosphere of Taris, I was able to witness the sorrowful scene of the Endar Spire slowly but surely tumbling into pieces. I had high hopes that our companions would be able to make it to the east wing, and to the pods that awaited them. However, there was a part of me that was sure that I would never know the answer. As another minute passed, I was pulled out of my thoughts by a series of violent jolts, each one more intense than the last. We were now entering the atmosphere. In the row of seats facing me I could see Carth clinging as tightly as he could to his safety collar. I was trying to do the same.

But suddenly everything went black, silent, non-existent. After all these perils, dying like this was very ironic.


Pain. It was spreading throughout my skull at a frantic speed. It was burning my eyes. It was an agony... But could it... Could it mean that I was alive? Did I survive? Or maybe I was still in a coma? Perhaps all this was just a giant fiction that my brain had invented. If only it were true.

« Hey. »

A voice.

Onasi?

« Galhor, open your eyes. »

I knew I had to do something. I had no idea how much time had passed before I reacted to Carth's request. At last, however, I opened my eyes, though with considerable struggle, and laboriously attempted to rise up from my lying position. I immediately felt Carth's arm supporting my back, and assisting me in this perilous yet insignificant effort. My eyes were partially clouded. I could not yet inspect the place where the Lieutenant and I were staying. All I could say was that we were not outdoors. I could distinguish the walls, the ceiling and the windows which were seemingly covered by blackout curtains. Gradually my eyes regained their abilities, and I was able to identify what looked like a table, chairs, a couple of benches, and a few bunks. I was still very confused. So much so that for a moment I was convinced that I was on the Endar Spire, questioning the reality of all the events I had previously experienced.

« Here. » A thoughtful Carth Onasi uttered, extending a glass of water to me.

I looked at the man for a couple of seconds, a little bewildered, but finally picked up the object and brought it to my trembling lips.

« Drink in small sips. » The man beside me advised, and I complied.

« You worried me, Galhor. For a time I thought you would never wake up. »

I was listening to my superior with trouble. I could hear the words he was saying, but I could not put them together and process them effectively. Without responding to his statements, I nevertheless tried painfully to speak:

« Where are we? »

« Taris. We crashed in the lower city. You passed out when we entered the atmosphere. The concussion was very strong. Your head took a nasty blow and you fell into a deep unconscious state. »

I tried to focus on Carth.

« Do you remember what happened? » The Lieutenant asked almost abruptly. I gave him a quizzical look, prompting him to clarify his thoughts. « I have heard some details about you. I believe that this is not your first time having been struck on the head. And I also believe that you are still suffering from the consequences. »

My eyes finding my hands, I drew a short breath before answering. Now I was taken back to that accident, to my long recovery, to my memory loss... I had no clear recollection of what I had experienced, which made the reality of this moment even more intangible and unacceptable. I failed to mourn a part of my memory, and therefore a part of my life. It made no sense, yet it was real.

« I am no more of a cripple than I once was, don't worry Lieutenant. » I eventually said, sounding defensive. Something that Carth apparently perceived.

« I am simply asking how you are doing, Corem. » My superior retorted with gentle, warm familiarity.

« I still feel pretty shaken up, but I think I'm okay, Lieutenant. » I explained in a much friendlier tone. Onasi flashed a benevolent smile. He was obviously relieved to hear this good news. « Where are we now exactly? » I continued.

« In an old abandoned apartment. When the pod crashed in the lower city, I hurried to get us out. The gangs have taken over this whole part of Taris. The escape pods belonging to a Republican battlecruiser that crashed are a great chance for them to loot and capture. Not to mention the Sith lockdown that was set up during the Endar Spire attack. They were happily waiting for the pods to land to pick up the survivors. » Carth suddenly looked very concerned. What happened to Bastila Shan? Nevertheless, he quickly recovered his composure and went on:

« I carried you to the upper city. In mid evening, we certainly drew a bit of attention, but many thought I was simply taking a drinking buddy home. At worst, we gave a lot of Tarsians a good laugh. »

We both smiled in amusement.

« I wandered around the upper city. Then I ventured into this building, which, although it was not totally insalubrious, was not particularly well maintained. As I explored, I found this apartment with its door half open. I didn't think twice. I moved us in. I figured that if someone was going to come back here... well, they'd kick us out, end of story. But no one has ever come here so far, except the two of us. Four days have passed and here we are, talking. »

« I've been out that long? » I asked disbelievingly.

« Yes. »

I sighed, then added gratefully: « Thank you, Lieutenant. I owe you my life. »

« No need to thank me. I'm just doing my job. I never leave anyone behind. »

His last words brought a sharp twinge of regret throughout my body. He was sending Trask Ulgo's sacrifice and the loss of all my companions right back at me. Of course I should not blame myself, but it was hard not to bear some of the responsibility. I took Carth's words as a judgment, even though the poor man had no idea of what had happened on the cruiser.

« What now? » I asked wearily.

« Now that you are awake, and apparently in good health, I will go and get some information about the crash of the other pods. Let's not fool ourselves. If Bastila is still alive, she must have been captured by the gangs. »

« Or by the Sith. » I retorted.

« No. If they did, they would have all left Taris long ago. We have to bet on the gangs. Or something else. But, surely, the Sith haven't caught up with her. Not yet. »

« Perhaps she managed to escape from her capsule and get to safety. » I added.

Carth looked pensive for a couple of seconds. As he began to stand up, he replied:

« I don't even know if that's an option I like better, to be perfectly honest. If she's hiding somewhere, finding her will be much more challenging than if she's been captured by the gangs. In any case, I understand that they are the ones who can give us valuable information. The lower city is their territory, so they must know everything that's going on down there. I need to know how to get there. The Sith have blocked all access. »

Carth stepped away from me and I watched as he grabbed his familiar orange jacket and quickly put it on. Instinctively I rose from the bunk on which I had spent the last four days, and made ready to join my superior. But as I struggled to get my boots on, Carth gave me a sort of muffled whistle. I turned back to him in confusion.

« You stay here. You have emerged from your sleep, yet you are in no condition to explore the surroundings. Stay here. There is a small supply of food in one of the lockers in the kitchen area. Get your energy back if you want to be useful later on. »

The Lieutenant concluded by giving a friendly smile. Then he left the apartment, in search for any information that might lead us to our Commander. For my part, I complied with the orders and remained in the building. I went through the locker and retrieved a handful of biscuits, some fruit and several pieces of dried meat. I grabbed a portion of these and a piece of fruit, which I happily snacked on one of the benches. I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the place for a while, before starting to get to work.

Carth returned in about two hours. As he stepped through the doorway he took off his jacket and laid it casually on the back of one of the chairs around the round table at which I was now sitting. Then he looked at me and sighed wearily before taking his seat.

« Have you learned something? »

I asked in a rejuvenated voice. The man gazed at the tabletop for a moment, then replied very factually:

« I am sorry to call on you so soon: you are invited to a little party tonight. »

I lifted my eyes and frowned tightly. Then I scanned the room, in the vain hope that I might discover the connection that would make me understand what Carth was saying. Sadly, nothing came, and Carth spoke again:

« The gangs were the first to get to the pods. They robbed everything that could be robbed and they captured all the survivors. »

« Is the Commander one of those survivors? » I questioned. Carth gritted his teeth before replying:

« I don't know for sure. But I have heard of an upcoming swoop racing event in the lower city, hosted by a gang called the Black Vulkars. This is said to be the 'final' race of the season, which was suddenly rushed forward when the pods crashed. »

« What is your point? » I asked.

« I was told that they were going to give out a very special prize this season. I thought it might be Bastila, although I didn't really believe it. Then someone mentioned a 'very high ranking official of the Republic'. When Bastila left the Endar Spire, she was wearing the uniform, and the leadership insignia. They must have found her, captured her, and put her up as a prize for the winner of this upcoming race. »

I nodded slightly, lost in thought. What he was saying made some sense. However, it was a rather fragile hypothesis. But there was no other option.

« Strange customs. » I added quietly, my gaze still unfocused. All of a sudden I snapped out of my reflections and stared straight at my superior:

« What about this party...? » I asked. Carth could not hide a subtle smile before delivering an explanation.

« We need to go to the lower city. We need to make sure what I suspect. If it turns out to be true, we need to be there the day of the race, and before the Sith become involved. We have to get in touch with the pilots, the staff, but most importantly the prize. And we can' t just walk into the lower city as we please. While wandering around, I met a drunken young woman working for the Sith, a certain Sarna. She invited me to a party organised by the Sith. This would be a great opportunity to obtain passes. »

« So you're the one who's invited. » I rectified as I gestured with my hand, aiming at the Lieutenant.

« Yes, but I won't go. » The man replied at first, his eyes on me.

« Sarna got completely hammered. She couldn't even bother to put a name to my face. I'm not some great celebrity, but if I ever step into a place full of Sith, surely someone will identify me. »

« How is your girlfriend going to react when she sees me on the doorstep, when she's waiting for you? We wouldn't be so easily confused. »

« Play it smart! » He said in a playful tone. I could almost believe that he was entertained by the situation. « You say you're this fancy guy she met in the cantina in the upper city, and that she invited him. Drunk as she was, there's a good chance she'll be fooled by your eloquence. »

I observed my superior with false offence. For a moment the man, holding my gaze, looked quite confused. Then, abruptly, his features relaxed, and he burst into a somewhat embarrassed laugh.

« I wasn't implying that you had no natural charisma, Corem. » The soldier defended himself, hardly able to contain his laughter. I went along with the man rather pleasantly. This kind of lightness brought a certain degree of comfort to our gloomy situation.

« And, if it makes you feel any better, she's invited a whole bunch of other nobodies tonight. » The man stated before reaching into one of his pockets and pulling out a tiny data card, which he handed to me:

« The holy key to the reception. » He said. « It contains the details of the event, which you can access from the terminal of the apartment. Once you get to the location, you will give the card to someone in charge and they should let you in without you even needing to convince anyone. »

I grabbed the card and squeezed it between my fingers. Carth gave another muffled laugh, drawing my attention.

« I'll stop teasing you now: in truth, it's a mundane gathering of Sith dignitaries and unscrupulous Republican officials. I doubt you'll even run into Sarna, considering how crowded it'll be. »

« Why didn't you tell me that immediately? » I asked back a little relieved, slipping the card into a pocket. « So it's time to go and charm all those ruffians. »