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Chapter 5: Bounty

Darth Bandon waited with growing impatience as his flagship hovered over Taris. It had been a week since the blockade of the cityworld and the destruction of the small Republic fleet. Taris was worthless to the Sith but Bandon had a taste for the Tarisian delicacies. Enough so to try to avoid turning the cityworld to glass craters. It had been two days since he had posted a bounty of two million credits on Bastila. It was nothing to the Sith and he would prefer to add Bastila's power to his own.

"Lord Bandon a ship approaches."

Bandon ignored the officer, his eyes scanning the endless space until it fell on the ship. A slow smile spread on Bandon's face as he caught sight of the flower shaped vessel. It almost resembled a Basilisk war droid to the Sith Lord aside from the black and red coloring.

"I see the bounty hunter's guild has sent their best."

Bandon muttered emotionlessly. The ship docked without incident and Bandon awaited his guests.

Mira checked her wrist launcher once more before placing her hand on her holstered blaster and taking a steadying breath.

"Revan's lost his mind..."

Mira glanced back at the former Sith Lord in question and frowned. Revan was clad from his head to his toes in black and his hood obscured his features completely. Beneath his robes, Revan wore a thin layer of crimson cortosis armor. If he had chose to wear his mask he may have looked like his old self aside from the addition of a blaster carbine and the small armory of hidden weapons within his armor.

Bandon's eyes fell onto the two lightsabers attached to the bounty hunter Raven's belt first. Surprised that this man had the strength or skill to take down a Jedi, Bandon was silent for a moment before he spoke to the bounty hunter duo.

"I'm sure you know why you're here."

Revan wore an emotionless expression, his brown eyes cold and uncaring.

"Yes, the Sith Empire cannot find a single Jedi on this pathetic world."

Revan snapped venomously, drawing Mira's attention. Bandon was surprised by the bounty hunter's attitude and smirked. It had been a long time since anyone had stood up to him without a trace of fear.

"I haven't the time for this, find Bastila Shan and bring her to me. I will double the current bounty if you bring her to me within a week."

Revan remained expressionless as he tilted his head in acknowledgment and turned, leaving a thoroughly confused Mira behind. Mira quickly bowed to Bandon, though the Sith Lord had already turned away to stare at Taris. Catching up with Revan, Mira spoke.

"What was that all about and why the hell are we here? I thought we didn't take Sith contracts."

Revan slowed his steps as he looked around for anyone who would be listening in.

"That was one of the bastards that betrayed me... and It's a matter of honor for this particular contract."

Mira raised an eyebrow at that. What possible debt could Darth Revan have with a Jedi that was likely one of his enemies when he was the Sith Lord. Waiting till they reached their ship to respond, Mira turned to Revan.

"So let me get this straight. We're not here for the bounty?"

Revan nodded, smirking as he dropped his emotionless facade.

"I owe this particular Jedi a favor."

Mira smirked a smirk similar to Revan's.

"I hear she's a very lovely young lady."

The bounty hunter teased. Revan's smirk vanished, his mind playing over his previous encounter with Bastila Shan.

"She is and she saved my life. I owe her hers."

Mira nodded, her expression returning to deathly serious.

"Well, lets find her and get the hell out of here."

Canderous Ordo rubbed his eyes tiredly. Davik had been ordering him to send search teams into the Undercity to search for anything valuable from the Escape pods that had crashed nearly a week ago. With the Sith blockade and all of the offworlders stuck on the planet, his employer was having difficulty securing his wages. Canderous' weariness vanished as a scowl adorned his features.

"Now Davik wants me to go to the Undercity myself because all those fools he sent were too pathetic to make it past the first Rakgouls they saw."

Shaking his head, Canderous was about to enter the lift to the Undercity when a landing repulsor fired overhead, drawing his attention. The mercenary's eyes widened as he tried to make sense of what he saw. The flower shaped vessel had armor of crimson and black, a sign of who exactly was on board. Canderous eyed the ship appreciatively as it landed.

Smirking, Canderous entered the lift and watched as a young red-haired woman about seventeen or eighteen stepped off the ship followed by a figure clad in black robes with a thin crimson breastplate and matching gauntlets.

"Looks like Taris just got a lot more interesting."

Canderous watched as the two bounty hunters sealed their ship and made their way to the lift. The Sith trooper had apparently known of their arrival and held the lift until the two entered. Immediately, Canderous felt both hunter's eyes on him and his smirk widened.

"Nice ship."

Revan was silent for a moment before smirking in return.

"A relic of Duro."

Revan answered the Mandalorian's curiosity. Canderous nodded, his gaze traveling to the modified Basilisk before the lift doors sealed.

"That ship has to be fast enough to get past the blockade!"

The idea of possessing a Basilisk once more filled Canderous with a sense of satisfaction. Eyeing the two hunters, Canderous' smirk vanished. No matter if he wanted that ship or not, Raven and Mira would not be willing to part with such a priceless and deadly relic of the Mandalorian wars.

Canderous could still feel the bounty hunter's eyes on him as he walked towards Davik's estate to pick up some reinforcements. Shrugging, Canderous walked past a frustrated middle aged man in an orange jacket.

Carth Onasi looked around the lower city with growing dread. Bastila was gone, and from what he had heard so far, captured by one of the swoop gangs. The Republic commander froze as a burly Mandalorian walked past him, the smirk on the Mandalorian's face sent a chill down his spine as he recalled the hundreds of times during the previous war that Mandalorians wore that very expression. Shuddering, Carth looked towards the lift where he had stowed his stolen Sith armor and nearly did a double take.

"Great!"

Carth cried out in his mind as he set his eyes on the two most recognizable bounty hunters in the galaxy. They seemed to have appeared out of nowhere three years before and they had a perfect record. Every single bounty they took was filled and Carth could only hope they weren't there for Bastila. Suddenly, Carth felt someone watching him and looked up to see the young red-haired woman glaring at him with narrowed eyes.

Before he could reach for his blaster, Carth saw the woman raise her arm and felt a cable wrap tightly around him, tightening each time he struggled.

"Republic officer."
Mira muttered to Revan. Revan smirked as he set his dark eyes upon the enraged Commander. Seeing that they had drawn attention, Revan motioned to Mira to move to an abandoned apartment complex. Carth's struggles ceased as the cable tightened to the point of nearly breaking his skin. Sighing in defeat, the Republic commander lowered his head and followed. He had been the last person to make it off the Endar Spire. An ensign named Trask Ulgo had been one of the few that had stayed behind to defend the ship while the Jedi and officers fled.

Carth tried to guide Trask to the escape pods but the man was ambushed by a group of elite Sith troopers and killed. Knowing that anyone else on board was doomed, Carth dove into an escape pod and landed on the cityworld. His efforts over the past week had brought him here, a prisoner to bounty hunters. The Republic commander felt the young woman's hand on his coat collar and pulled back. The woman merely smiled.

"A commander, Raven."

Revan wore no expression as he gave Carth a calculating stare. For a moment, Carth saw recognition in the man's obscured features before he saw that damned smirk, so similar to Canderous'.

"Commander Carth Onasi of the Tarisian Security Force and Third Republic Fleet. It is an honor to meet such an accomplished soldier."

Revan gave a mock bow, much to Carth's annoyance.

"What the hell do you want? If you're going to turn me over to the Sith than get it over with!"

Carth roared into Revan's face. The former Sith Lord shook his head as he motioned to Mira. Mira nodded once before releasing the cable from her wrist launcher. Immediately, Carth felt the cabled slacken and then fall to the ground. His hand traveling quickly to his blaster, Carth heard the sound of air rushing as a small dart imbedded itself in his chest.

"Paralysis darts."

Mira told the Commander as his face turned red with anger and effort to move. Slumping to the ground, Carth saw the woman's boot kick away his weapon as the armored man squatted before him.

"We only take clean contracts, Commander Onasi."

Revan informed the man emotionlessly.

"We are here for a personal reason. I owe Bastila Shan a favor. You can help, or you can go on your merry little way."

Carth was silent for a few moments before he released a sigh. The fast-acting paralysis poison was quickly wearing off. Remembering a report he had read, Carth knew that Raven and Mira never took Sith contracts and avoided working with the Exchange. He also recalled the fact that the bounty hunters rarely killed their bounties, giving them a higher profit rate for live captures. Still, working with the likes of bounty hunters and smugglers did not appeal to him.

"Fine."

Carth muttered, feeling his hand responding as he opened and closed it. Mira smirked, shooting him with another dart. Carth cursed as pain flared in his chest and glared at the young woman.

"The Hell?"

Mira's smirk widened as she shrugged.

"Antidote."

Carth snarled as feeling shot back into him and stood, glaring at the young woman.

"What the hell is wrong with you people?"
Carth asked. Mira merely cocked her head and turned to Revan. Revan sighed, shaking his head.

"Don't have too much fun, Mira. We have work to do."

Mira laughed, nudging the former Sith Lord.

"Sure thing Rave."

Revan ordered Carth to return to the Upper City and gain as much information as he could since he and Mira did not have the advantage of a forgettable face. Revan and Mira silently stalked the Commander, observing his interaction with the locals.

"These Republic bleeding heart types never get anything done."
Revan noted as he watched the Republic Commander dispose of two thugs and help an elderly man from the ground.

"Still..."

Mira began.

"He tries."

Revan nodded, smiling slightly.

"Sometimes that's all you need."

Revan nodded towards Carth as he tried placating a group of drunken Tarisians by offering them a round of drinks.

"This would almost be comical if we had the time."

Mira nodded, her expression turning cold as she and Revan made their way through the alleyways silently and crept into the lift to the undercity.

"How long do you think we should leave him up there?"

Revan shrugged, placing his mask over his face.

"Until he realizes you can't help everyone and starts looking for Bastila."

Mira frowned, turning away from Revan a moment. There was something about Revan's dismissal of compassion that she found troubling.

"I know what you're thinking, Mira."
Revan whispered, shaking his head.

"Sometimes helping someone only makes things worse. Try recalling my actions on Nar Shadda. I destroyed the Exchange presence there in a single day but now, two years later..."

Revan trailed off, allowing Mira the time to think of the implications.

"Now they own the entire sector and control the local Hutt overlord."

Revan nodded, eyeing a passing Tradoshan with annoyance.
"A temporary solution, as most are."

Revan slowly reached his right arm towards his side, subtly sliding out his small blaster pistol before he made a quick handsignal to Mira. Mira acknowledge and drew her own pistol, silently sprinting to the other side of the corridor as she activated her stealth belt. Revan slowly slid into an abandoned apartment corridor, making one short signal to Mira to follow his lead. Revan peered around a corridor, spotting a group of aliens and humans arguing before they began firing on each other.

The battle was quick but brutal as several drew vibroblades and cut their opponents down. Shortly after the battle began. Carth appeared from a nearby lift and quickly threw himself to the side to avoid a stray blaster bolt. Revan watched with interest as the Republic Commander drew two blaster pistols from his holsters but kept them wisely pointed away from the battle.

"Wants to show he isn't a direct threat but willing to defend himself."

Revan turned to where he thought Mira was and nodded towards Carth, pointing to one of his eyes and making a cutting gesture. The air seemed to swivel slightly and Revan watched as Carth was violently pulled back behind a cargo container as a grenade was thrown towards him. One of the thugs shouted something about outsiders and charged Carth, falling suddenly as an invisible presence knocked him to the ground. Revan frowned, knowing Mira was avoiding killing the creature. Annoyed, the former Dark Lord sent a single blast into the Tradoshan's head, firing on the others that survived their previous foes.
"Looks to be Vulkars... A local gang..."

Mira noted, casting Revan an uneasy look. Revan briefly checked the bodies for any indication as to why they would attack randomly but found nothing.

"Enough of this. Mister Onasi, quit brooding and make your way to the local bar. Nothing like a Cantina to get information."
"I've already been there!"

Carth snapped. Revan smirked, shaking his head.

"Maybe you didn't ask the right people the right questions."

Revan pulled back his hood and pulled away the thin armored mask he wore, revealing for the first time to the Republic officer his face and extending his hand.

"Even terms, Commander. I am known widely as the Bounty hunter Raven but I assure you there is more to me than that."

Carth warily took the man's hand, staring directly into his eyes.

"Mira."

Mira nodded as Carth cast her a similar look of suspicion.

"Just between you and me..."

Revan leaned against the wall, smirking as he spoke.

"I'm out to hurt the Sith."

Carth felt an uneasy smile pulling at his lips and nodded, motioning towards the nearby Cantina.

"That way."

Calo Nord seemed to be having some fun when they arrived, tossing and in Revan's opinion wasting a perfectly good concussion grenade to take out three lowlife thugs that wouldn't be missed. Sighing, Revan nodded respectfully to the bounty hunter as he passed.

"Nice one, Calo."

Calo turned slowly to Revan, eyeing his appearance and companions before smirking and nodding back.

"There's a lot of work around here. Davik might be interested in another... right hand man."

Revan rode an eyebrow.

"Another? What happened to the old one?"

Calo chuckled, shaking his head.

"Lets just say no one likes a Mandalorian."
Revan felt his blood boiling at the comment but kept his facade as he laughed and tilted his head once more. Calo cast a quick glance over his shoulder before leaving, nodding to Mira.

The Cantina was loud and filled with smoke from various narcotics. Carth seemed to have a difficult time breathing properly and took several breaks from asking around. Revan and Mira sat quietly in a corner watching the Commander work. It was then that Revan heard a high pitched voice, calling for a someone called Zalbaar. Revan looked genuinely surprised to see a Wookiee in the Undercity and nodded to Mira who cast the beast a wary look as she pursed her lips.

"That's not him, don't worry about it."
Revan soothed, eyeing the Wookiee critically as it lurked towards a Rodian and glared down at the bug. Revan found it amusing that the Rodian cowered and shouted that the girl was lucky she had a big friend.

"Excuse me."
Revan called to the Rodian. The Rodian looked surprised but asked what he wanted. Revan slowly pulled out his blaster pistol and eyed the weapon appraisingly before pointing it slowly towards the Rodian's skull.

"Bang."

Revan smirked at the look of terror on the Rodian's face and holstered the weapon, standing and walking over toward the alien.
"I think it is you who should be worried. Take a message to Brejik for me. Tell him Raven is looking for something and tell him it is in his interest, mortalitywise to get back to be on it."

It seemed that the Rodian hadn't recognized Revan before but as soon as Revan had whispered the words to him, the Rodian paled and nodded numbly, running from the Cantina to tell his boss.

"That was all a little... to theatrical."

Mira muttered lowly to Revan, smiling and nodding towards the blue Twilek girl with the high pitched voice. Revan eyed the Rodian's retreat with annoyance.

"I used to be a Sith Lord, theatrics go with the job."

Revan replied quietly. Mira laughed, shaking her head and catching the suspicious glance of the Wookiee.
"Hey, I know you!"

Mission Vao said loudly. Revan nodded his head, extending his hand.
"Raven, and who might you two be?"

Revan asked, looking between Mission and Zalbaar.

"I think I just saved myself a lot of trouble. No doubt Brejik or Davik has Bastila..."

Zalbaar returned to his meal, eyeing Revan warily as he passed him. Revan had no doubt the Wookiee overheard him and that was how he liked it. Keeping secrets from Wookiees was a very bad idea unless you wanted that Wookiee as an enemy. Carth returned several minutes later, joining the conversation and adding his two credits much to Revan's amusement and Mission's annoyance as she snapped back at the frequent interruptions.