Disclaimer: I am neither the genius who came up with Star Wars nor the people who created this amazing game.
Chapter Twenty-One
CARTH POV
Carth ate breakfast at the Enclave, with three silent, stoic-faced Jedi knights. Normally their silence would have irritated him, but this morning his thoughts were churning, and he welcomed the chance to think.
By the time he made it back to the Ebon Hawk, there was a little party assembled at the boarding ramp. There was Aithne, eyes shadowed, but changed, with her hair pinned up. Carth looked away from her quickly. There was Jolee, Mission, and Canderous.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
"Bindo's going to show Morrigan some Force powers with a little more strength," Canderous informed him.
Carth remembered that Jolee had made use of Force Lightning on Kashyyyk. He frowned. "Won't the Jedi disapprove?" he asked.
"Oh, they'll look like they all swallowed lemons and limes whole," Aithne said lightly. "They'll all be convinced I'm harming my immortal soul, or something."
"It'll annoy the hell out of those Jedi Masters," Canderous said.
"And that's half the fun of it," Aithne rejoined with a smirk. "But if Jolee's not all Sithy, I think I'll be safe learning a few things he can teach me. Mission and Canderous are coming along to watch. When Jolee and I have finished his lesson, I might spar a little with Canderous."
Canderous' grim face lit up with surprise and pleasure, but Carth panicked a little. Visions of Aithne gored on Mandalorian swords popped up unbidden in his head. "I'm coming, too," he declared.
"Great. It'll be like a party," said Jolee grumpily.
"Hush, old man, you need to get used to people again," Aithne told him severely.
"Now why in the world did I get myself into this?" Jolee asked the heavens pathetically.
Mission laughed, and even Canderous looked slightly less vicious for about half a nanosecond.
Carth clapped Jolee on the back. "In with Aithne? You really shouldn't have," he said. "Madness follows her like the plague."
Mission gave him a pitying glance. "Geezer, Aithne is the madness plague!"
Aithne punched them both lightly in the arm, but she was laughing. Carth grinned. The five of them made their way to one of the many courtyards in the Jedi Enclave. Mission immediately found an apprentice about her own age, sat next to her on the bench, and struck up a conversation. Aithne and Jolee squared off, and Carth prepared to watch, but Canderous called, "Hey, Republic."
Carth turned, only to almost miss catching the sword duo Canderous had thrown at him. He regarded the big Mandalorian, who was polishing a massive double vibrosword. "You game, Onasi?" Canderous growled.
Carth considered. He'd wondered a few times how he'd do against Canderous. He'd fought in the war against the Mandalorians. He'd mostly piloted, though. He'd done some fighter work, but he could count on one hand the ground combats he'd been in with Mandalorian warriors. Aithne had said once that he'd lose if he put himself up against Canderous- but he'd observed Canderous since, sparring with Zaalbar, out on the Dantooine plains. He gave a short laugh. "What the hell," he said, taking up his position. Canderous gave a single anticipatory smirk, and brought up his own weapon.
They circled one another warily, testing one another's defenses. Carth smiled. Though he'd seen Canderous' melee fighting in his sporadic spars with Zaalbar, he doubted that Ordo had ever seen him wield anything but his signature double blasters, which meant that he had the advantage. To Carth's right, on the other end of the courtyard, he heard the hum of two lightsabers crashing, and he knew Jolee and Aithne had started their lesson. Canderous used the opportunity to attack, but Carth had been waiting for him, and he defended.
Canderous dealt a series of rapid strokes, but Carth parried or dodged them all. Canderous fell back, a bit surprised. Carth kept himself from wincing. The Mandalorian was very strong. They circled again, and now Carth attacked, and Canderous defended.
As the pair sparred, Canderous' level expression began to turn to a grin of appreciation. Carth himself was a bit amazed. He wasn't besting Canderous, but he wasn't losing, either. The Mandalorian was stronger, more brutal, but Carth was far more agile and technically correct than Canderous. Carth began to laugh as five minutes turned into seven, and seven turned into twelve, and neither of them gained any advantage over the other.
A few small children- younglings, Carth believed the Jedi called them- had been watching, but now they drew away to the other side of the courtyard. Canderous looked over, and blinked. He held up a hand. "Hold, it, Onasi," he said. "Check it out."
Carth dropped his blades and looked over. He let out a low whistle.
The younglings, and the apprentices, a few young Padawans, and Carth was amazed to see Master Zhar from the Council, too, were watching Jolee and Aithne's encounter. The two of them were exerting every power against one another. Just then, Aithne jumped off both feet and executed a double flip over Jolee's head, letting loose a crackling beam of Force energy from her hand as she landed that Carth instantly recognized as Force Lightning. Jolee blocked it, kicked out with a powerful right leg, and brought his lightsaber around in an overhead sweep. "Keep your guard up, lass," he told Aithne. "The Sith'll use everything they've got on you. Just 'cause you've got down Lightning doesn't mean they can't level you with a punch to the jaw, dammit!"
Aithne dodged the kick and blocked the lightsaber stroke, chest heaving. She unleashed a dizzying flurry of blows of her own, moving her feet in the swift, graceful dance so typical of her fighting style. Carth shook his head, and Canderous laughed. He clapped Carth on the back and swore in Mandalorian. "Carth, you're good. I'll give you that. But she- " Words failed him, and Canderous simply said, "Aithne is something else."
Jolee was wearying. He was strong, and technically correct. He was still a Jedi, and a good one, but he just couldn't match Aithne's speed, Carth noticed. He lashed out with another kick, left-sided this time, but Aithne brought her right foot up and caught his leg, catching him off balance just long enough for her to bring her left saber around in a feint while she brought the hilt of her right up swiftly. It worked. She knocked the old man's saber away from him, and leveled her right saber at his throat in the "kill" position.
For a moment, there was complete silence. Then everyone in the courtyard started to applaud. Aithne deactivated her sabers, looking around curiously. Carth smiled. Hadn't she noticed the attention she was getting?
Master Zhar emerged from the shadows of the Enclave. "Very nice, Padawan Aithne, Padawan Jolee."
"Wait," Aithne said, turning to Jolee, "You're just a Padawan?"
"The Council on Coruscant did offer to make him a Knight a long time ago," Zhar replied calmly. "He refused."
"It's just Jolee, lass." The old hermit growled.
"I have not seen a lesson like that in a long time," Zhar continued. "Both of you fought with great skill and power."
"Yeah well, you learn a few things fighting off katarn for twenty years," Jolee grumbled. He was clearly uncomfortable. Aithne looked at him quickly, and bowed to Master Zhar.
"Yes, well, we thank you for your praise, Master Zhar. But I really must continue with my training. I had promised my companion Canderous a sparring match."
Carth laughed in surprised amusement. After that, she wanted to go again? A faint sheen of sweat shone on Aithne's face, but her breathing was completely normal. Canderous regarded her for a moment, then he shook his head.
"No," he said, "I think I'll pass. I'll bet the Masters would like the apprentices back for their lessons."
Aithne shot Canderous an inquisitive look. He shrugged. "Maybe some other time."
Carth smirked. He knew the man was afraid of being shamed in a public exhibition duel. He said nothing, however.
"Very well," Aithne said. "I'll hold you to that."
"Padawan," Zhar said. "How have you fared in your mission?"
"This stop was only occasioned by my need to return a young girl that stowed away on my ship last time I was here," Aithne told him. "I have located the Star Map on Kashyyyk, and added its coordinates to my data, but there is still much that is blank, Master Zhar. Actually, we ought to return to the Hawk now, since we are done sparring, and decide where we are going from here. I shall come see the store for provisions later this afternoon. We thank you for your hospitality." She bowed again.
Zhar smiled, a bit sadly, Carth thought. "Any time, Padawan. I am glad this Enclave is able to serve as a safe dock on your quest. It is good to see you, and I wish you well." He bowed, and swept away.
Aithne started to lead them away. "Thanks, Jolee," she said as they left the courtyard.
Jolee didn't answer for a moment. "You're welcome," he said at last.
"You really were incredible," Mission said quietly. Her eyes were still wide, as she looked from Aithne to Jolee and back.
They drew near the Ebon Hawk in an amicable silence, but right before they went in, Aithne frowned. "Canderous, Mission, Jolee? You go on ahead. I'll be right in."
Canderous nodded, but Mission looked curious, and Jolee had to drag her in. Carth noticed his exclusion from the command, and looked from Aithne, alert, to the man she was staring at, and gaped.
A man in a Czerka uniform, noticing the exit of the others and Aithne's attention, stepped up. "Carth?" he said. "Carth Onasi, is that you?"
Carth blinked at the tall, dark-skinned, clean-shaven man. If he were dressed in civilian clothes, and had a thin mustache- "Jordo?" he breathed.
The man stepped forward and wrung Carth's hand tightly. "It is you, isn't it! I knew it when I laid eyes on you!" Carth began to smile. "You old spacedog, how have you been? I thought for sure you'd be fighting on some ship out there."
Carth shrugged. "I was. I crashed."
Jordo laughed in disbelief. "That's pretty rich," he said. "I can't imagine what it would take to keep you on the ground. Must have something to do with your pretty friend here, hey?" He smiled at Aithne. "How do you do, miss?"
"Nice to meet you, Jordo," smiled Aithne, shaking the hand of Carth's old neighbor. "I'm Aithne Morrigan."
"So what are you doing here, Jordo?" Carth asked. "The last time I saw you was on…um, well Telos actually."
He'd never expected to see Jordo again, after the Sith bombed the planet. The man had been an old school friend. He'd been at Carth's wedding…
Jordo's face fell. "Yeah…" he said. "It's a shame about home. Telos still hasn't recovered. The family and I moved on, and I'm working for Czerka now." He shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't see you after…er, what I mean is, my condolences on your wife." He brightened up. "At least your boy made it through alright."
Every nerve of Carth seemed to be electrified. He stared at Jordo. If he knew! "My…boy? You mean…Dustil?"
Jordo looked curiously at Carth. "Yes, of course," he said easily. "I saw him at my last stop, on Korriban, though he didn't recognize me. You…didn't know he was there?" Carth's stomach churned and his head whirled. He seized Jordo by the arms.
"No!" he exclaimed. "Jordo, Dustil has been missing since the attack on Telos! Are you…are you absolutely certain it was him?"
Jordo nodded. "Yeah," he said. Carth released him, trembling. "I'd recognize Dustil anywhere. Positive." Suddenly Jordo looked very uncomfortable. "He's…uh…he's joined the Sith, Carth," he said, pulling at his collar.
"What do you mean he's joined the Sith?" Carth demanded.
"There's an Academy for the Sith on Korriban," Jordo explained. "He's a student there. I saw him suited up in their outfit and everything. Sorry…I thought you knew."
Carth shook his head violently. "No…no, I didn't. Well thanks for letting me know, Jordo."
Carth was still shaking. Dustil hadn't died on Telos. He was alive! Alive and a Sith, though. How could he join them? What in hell had happened? He had to get to Korriban…"Sure, no problem," Jordo said slowly. "Good to see you again, Carth. Hope everything works out with Dustil." He gave Aithne a little wave and walked away.
Dustil. Dustil. Dustil. The name repeated in Carth's head like a mantra. His son had survived. He whirled to face Aithne and grabbed her arm. "Dustil is alive! We have to go to the Korriban Academy and find him!"
Aithne was doing calculations rapidly on a datapad. She held up a finger. "Way ahead of you," she said in a voice thick with tension. "We'll resupply and head out tonight. There's a Star Map there. We'd have had to go eventually, anyway."
Carth nodded, lost in his own thoughts. "Thank you," he said. Dustil… "I…I just have to see him. I have to know what happened to him. All this time I've thought he was…he must be a man by now…"
Aithne finished her equations, pocketed the datapad and looked up. "I understand," she said. Her voice was taut, her eyes bright with worry. "We ought to be able to leave in a few hours."
AITHNE POV
Carth was still dazed when they boarded the Hawk. "Group meeting!" Aithne shouted through the ship's corridors. "I want you all in the conference room in five!"
In five minutes, as ordered, the entire crew had filed into the meeting room. Carth stood next to Aithne, eyes bright, color unnatural.
"What's the matter with him?" grunted Canderous, jerking his thumb at the pilot.
"Don't worry about it," Aithne said curtly. "I need you and Juhani to take this datapad and bring back supplies for the journey to Korriban. We leave in four hours." She handed Canderous the datapad full of the calculations she had just done, and he took it.
But Bastila looked hard at her. "What has come up so suddenly?" she asked. "I sense much urgency from you."
"And why are we going to Korriban?" Mission added. "Manaan's closer, and we need to go there, too, right?"
"Never mind about that," Aithne answered both of them. "We're going to Korriban."
Bastila looked from Aithne to Carth suspiciously, then nodded slowly. "Very well," she said.
"Good. Then the rest of you need to prepare to travel. That's it, really." She turned on her heel and strode out of the conference room, making her way to the cargo hold to await the supplies. Her insides were burning. Carth would be useless until they found his son. She knew that much. Besides that, she didn't want to leave anyone any of her friends loved in the clutches of the Sith. But she wasn't sure she was ready to go to Korriban! Was she ready to go to an entirely Sith planet? With the warrant out for her and Carth and Bastila, and her own limited training...Aithne dismissed her concerns with an impatient wave of her hand. All she knew was that she had to get Dustil Onasi out of there. For Carth. She just had to.
They left in four hours, right on schedule. Carth was silent, and Aithne, worried for him and how things would turn out on Korriban, wasn't much better. The entire crew picked up on the mood. One evening, Mission asked Aithne about it.
"Something happened when that guy came to talk to you and Carth, didn't it?"
Aithne nodded slowly. "Bad news?" Mission guessed.
Aithne sighed. "Mission, I shouldn't tell you what happened. It's Carth's business. Let's just say that we're going to Korriban because we need to, and we're going now because he does. Okay?"
Mission cocked her head. "Aithne, I need to go to Tatooine," she said. Her voice was level.
Aithne winced. She'd hoped that this wouldn't come up. "I'd planned on heading there after Kashyyyk," she confessed, "But with the news we just heard, every second is of the essence. Lena wasn't even sure Griff was still on Tatooine, and…" She looked away from Mission. Honestly, she had always been ambivalent about seeking out Griff Vao. From everything she'd heard, she thought that it was highly likely that Mission's brother had abandoned her on Taris, in full knowledge of what he did. And she wasn't sure that any further encounter with him, even if they should manage to find him, would be good for Mission.
Mission was silent for a moment. "And what? Carth's more important?"
Aithne shook her head immediately. "No, Mission, that's not it! If you knew…Mish…" She gave up. "I have to protect him," she said finally. "I just have to. And, believe it or not, I'm trying to protect you, too."
"What, from Griff?" The words were quick, angry. But then Mission paused. "Oh," she said. "You're not sure he'll want to see me, even if he's there," she said. "He will! I'm sure he meant to come back for me! He probably thinks I'm dead, now. I have to tell him I'm not."
Aithne shifted uncomfortably.
"You still don't think it would be a good idea," Mission said flatly. Mutely, Aithne shook her head. Mission stared at her, clearly thinking hard. "Look, I'm not gonna leave you or anything," she said. "Whether it was Griff's idea to leave me or not, whether he meant to come back or not, maybe, he still left me on Taris. And anyway, there's Big Z, and Malak to beat still. But, Aithne, I need to see him. Just not knowing…" She broke off, her young face haunted.
Aithne looked at her hard for a moment, imagining the uncertainty raging inside the girl's head. True, finding out that she had been abandoned might hurt Mission a lot, but without ever being sure of the fact, how could Mission hope to make her peace with it? She nodded finally. "I understand," she said. "We'll go to Tatooine immediately after we hit Korriban. I promise."
Mission nodded seriously. "Good," she said simply. She regarded Aithne for a moment. "This thing with Carth," she said. "Is it bad?"
Aithne nodded. "Very," she said quietly. Mission looked off towards the cockpit. "I hope we get there, soon, then. I don't want him hurt, you know? Well, anymore hurt than he's been already."
"Me neither."
The voyage from Dantooine to Korriban was probably the longest Aithne could have taken. So a few days into it, Aithne was forced to do something besides worry about Carth and his son. So, accordingly, she hunted out Canderous.
"Hey," she said, drawing his attention from the swoop bike he was modifying in the corner. No one ever rode it, but the Mandalorian liked to mess with things, Aithne had discovered, and that machine was his pride and joy.
Canderous turned, wiping his large, greasy, scarred hands with a cloth. "Aithne," he nodded.
"The swoop looks fantastic," Aithne complimented him. "Next planet we hit with a track, you should take it out for a spin."
Canderous grunted. "You're the swoop champion," he remarked. "Why don't you do it?"
Aithne shrugged. "Frankly, swoop-bike racing isn't really my thing. It was more a necessary evil I braved to rescue Bas."
Canderous looked sideways at the swoop bike, considering. "Hmm. Maybe I will," he said.
"Those idiots on the track won't know what hit them," Aithne said. She leaned up against the wall of the ship. "So. You got any more stories?"
"Bored again?" Canderous laughed humorlessly. "Hmm. I think I'll tell you a bit about the recent war with the Republic," he said. "That might be more familiar to you. The one where Jedi Revan beat my people." He spoke Revan's name with a respect Aithne had rarely heard him use.
"Go ahead," she said, intrigued.
Canderous leaned up against the swoop bike, arms crossed. "We started by conquering worlds just outside the Republic," he related easily. "We did it quietly so the Republic wouldn't really know what was going on until too late. When we finally did hit the Republic worlds, they had no idea we were coming." He smiled a bit at the memory. "We came in through three invasion corridors in adjacent sectors. Anyone who put up a fight-or wouldn't fight-was crushed." His face darkened unexpectedly. "We razed whole worlds trying to provoke the Republic into fighting us," he growled. "I don't particularly enjoy wiping out worlds for its own sake, but the cowardly tactics the Republic defenders used left us little choice."
His tone was full of disgust. Aithne was curious. "Tactics such as?" she asked.
Canderous sneered. "Hiding in the homes of civilians," he spat. "Using families as shields. Thinking we would not use appropriate force on their bases inside major cities. They underestimated our resolve and what measures are acceptable in war. Those who cannot defend themselves should not be around those who can in battle." Something flickered in his face, and Aithne found herself focusing on certain words. In war, he'd said. Should not. Aithne got the feeling that Canderous felt somewhat guilty for the things he and his people had done early on in the Mandalorian Wars. Well, he should, Aithne thought. The devastation had been massive, with civilian casualties by the thousands. Canderous continued, disgusted. "If annihilating a city was the kind of power it took to overcome a Republic shield device, then that's what we did. Necessary force to destroy all opposition."
Aithne looked straight at him, unimpressed. "You don't think you could have found another way?" she asked bluntly.
Canderous turned away angrily. "I have no time or patience for cowards!" he cried. "They deserve to be hunted and exterminated like vermin." He calmed. "There was no honor in wiping them out like rats," he admitted. "But some of your forces did redeem the Republic in our eyes…especially later."
"Later?" Aithne asked.
"Later," Canderous said, his voice caressing the word like it was precious. "When Revan had joined the war. But we'll get back to that some other time."
Aithne nodded respectfully. "Thank you for telling me this much," she said quietly, walking out of the room.
The night before they were due to arrive on Korriban, Aithne found herself eating a rare meal with Jolee. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.
Swallowing a bite, Aithne spoke over to Jolee. "You never did say why you decided to come with me," she pointed out.
Jolee snorted. "Oh, well spotted," he sneered. "I never did, did I?"
Aithne laughed at the man's deliberate contrariness. "Are you always going to be this elusive?" she asked.
"Elusive?" Jolee demanded in an injured tone. "Me, elusive? Heh. Obviously you've never tried to grab a Twi'lek dancing girl after drinking too much Ondaran willek juice."
Aithne sighed. "I've never had enough to drink to either want to catch a Twi'lek dancing girl or to expect to find the task difficult. Answer the question."
"I already told you why I wanted to leave," insisted Jolee. "I'd seen everything I wanted to on Kashyyyk. Time to go, time to move on."
"Move on to where, exactly?" Aithne asked pointedly.
"To bed!" Jolee exclaimed. "I'm old and tired, you know."
Aithne chuckled. "Old and tiring, perhaps, but I've yet to see you exhausted yourself. Jolee, really."
Jolee sighed. "How many kilometer high trees can you find an interest in before you figure you've had enough?" he demanded. "I'd bet you can't be bothered to stay in one room for more than fifteen minutes! And then there's all the critters in the Shadowlands. I'm just happy to be back in space, doing something new. Is that too much to ask?"
"Of course not," Aithne replied calmly. "But you could have done that yourself. Why did I suddenly awaken in you a desire to do something new?"
"I could have done it myself," admitted Jolee. "Not having a ship does tend to put a damper on that kind of idea, however." Aithne glared at him, and he sagged. "I'll admit, for all its flaws, Kashyyyk was home enough. But when you came along and I saw the destiny you had before you, I couldn't help but be intrigued."
Aithne snorted, skeptical. "So now you know what my destiny is?" She pushed aside her finished platter and turned to face the old hermit, arms crossed.
"Of course not," replied Jolee. "Weren't you listening last time?"
Aithne looked down awkwardly. Now that he mentioned it, she did recall him talking a bit about how the Force around Andor had told him about Andor's 'great' destiny. Jolee smirked.
"I can see you have a destiny before you," he said, "but the details are far from clear." A clouded, puzzled look came over his worn features, and Aithne realized he was examining her aura. "In fact," he said, in a far-off tone, "everything about you that I can see is odd. Slightly off, as if my eyes are trying to trick me. Something…something is very dark about you."
Aithne shifted uncomfortably, but was intrigued regardless. But Jolee shook himself, blinked and waved a hand.
"But bah! I'm sure you don't need to hear my ruminations. You've probably got enough nosy Jedi offering you one opinion after another to make you sick."
Aithne blinked at him, startled. Jolee's eyes were twinkling in understanding. Something twisted inside her, then. "You- you don't even know," she managed to choke out. She gripped Jolee's hand hard then. "Thank you, for that at least."
Jolee patted her hand awkwardly. "Oh, there now," he said nervously. "I wouldn't worry about it too much, if I were you." He smiled. "You remind me a bit of Nomi, heh heh, and that can't be all bad."
Aithne gaped. "You knew her? Wait, are we talking about the same Nomi?"
Jolee nodded. "Nomi Sunrider. She came late to the Force, just as you have, and became one of the greatest Jedi ever. Oh fine, fine lass. Whether you'll follow the same path remains to be seen. For one thing, we'll never get anywhere if you stand around chatting up old men all day."
Aithne sniffed. "So you're coming along…to watch?"
Jolee snorted. "Nonsense! Have I ever refused to help you when you asked? How confused can one person be, anyway? One thing I will say is that this little escapade does remind me a bit of my adventuring days before the war. Ahh…those were exciting times. Or at least it would remind me of those times if we didn't sit around." He scowled. "What's keeping you? You're too young to be so talkative! Shoo! Shoo!"
Laughing, Aithne went, bringing her tray to the washer. Not too long afterwards, she went to sleep.
It had taken far too long, but I'd made it. Malak guarded the door. I smiled beneath my mask. What an odd place to find a Star Map, to be sure. No wonder no one had found it before! I looked around at the crumbling tomb. It wasn't much, but I'd gone through a world of trouble to get here, and the darkness hung thick and inviting about me, singing its sweet song of power. Striding forward, I activated the Map, memorizing its every detail, adding this new information to the coordinates I had in my mind already. We were getting there. As I turned to go, I felt that strange presence at my back once again, watching me.
When Aithne woke up, for some time she stared at the ceiling. Another "vision". Revan again. At least she wasn't surprised anymore, and the vision had been rather mild this time. Still. It was more than she really wanted to deal with. Finally she kicked aside her bedclothes and got up.
"You have awoken," Juhani observed from her bunk. "We landed on Korriban early this morning. Bastila is in the cockpit. She will want to speak with you."
"I just bet she does," muttered Aithne, pulling on black Echani fiber armor and boots.
Resignedly, Aithne made her way to the cockpit. Bastila rose from her seat as Aithne entered.
"Is this the whole go over the vision bit?" Aithne asked.
Carth shot her a glance with his eyes that were shadowed from too little sleep. Aithne nodded, jaw tight, responding wordlessly to the question in his gaze. Yes. Another Star Map. Yes. I was Revan again.
"The Force is guiding us," Bastila announced matter-of-factly. "Helping us retrace the steps of Malak and his old master. Leading us ever closer to the Star Forge." She looked out the window at the rocky surface of Korriban. "There are some who believe Korriban is the birthplace of the Sith," she said. "This planet is an evil place." Looking suddenly at Aithne, deadly serious, she said, "There are secrets here best left uncovered."
And what does that have to do with me, I wonder, Aithne thought, but shrugged it off. She guessed she wouldn't get any answers from Bastila now, with the younger Jedi's hooded eyes and guarded expression. "It looked like the Star Map was in some sort of cave," she said, changing the subject. A tomb, actually, she mentally corrected, but only Revan would've known that.
Bastila looked troubled. "During the vision I felt cold and trapped, almost as if I was buried alive. It felt…it felt like we were in some kind of tomb. No doubt things will become more clear once we discover the Star Map's location."
"We?" Aithne asked. "You did say this was a Sith world? Won't they recognize you?"
Bastila sniffed, annoyed. 'Hmmm… maybe you're right," she said reluctantly. "Most of the dark Jedi would only know me by name, but there are a few among them who might recognize my face. For the sake of our mission, I must remain on the Ebon Hawk while we are on this planet," she announced.
Aithne rolled her eyes. At least the woman felt she had a choice now. She leant over the dashboard and pressed the intercom. "Good morning, all," she called. "As you probably noticed while I overslept, we have arrived on Korriban. Group meeting in five. That's it."
She turned to head to the conference room, stopping. "I beg your pardon, Bastila," she said, "were we finished?"
Bastila snorted. "Well now we are," she said sarcastically, falling in line with Aithne and Carth to go to the meeting.
After the entire crew had filed in, Aithne stood at the head of the table, gazing at them.
"Welcome to Korriban, ladies, gentlemen, Wookiees, and droids," she said. "Right. This is a Sith world. There are hundreds of the pestilential worms here, most young, all itching to prove themselves. We tread carefully here."
"Someone's done her homework," Jolee said.
Aithne studied her hands on the table, pensive. "I don't want the Sith getting any idea how many of us are here," she said. "Bastila and Teethree will stay with the Hawk at all times. Juhani? Jolee? Both of you have experience with the Dark Side. We picked up a couple of robes last time some of Malak's goons attacked us. I want you two to pose as fallen Jedi while we're here, got it? Just strut like bullying idiots and you ought to be able to pull it off."
She waited for Juhani and Jolee's nods before continuing. "Good. Mission. Zaalbar. You two can go out and annoy Czerka drones or play Pazaak until Korriban's dry, but I want you with Juhani or Carth at all times." She looked at Zaalbar especially hard then. "There is to be no maiming. I don't want to hear about any murders. Be as unobtrusively annoying as you can. Give false names if you have to, but low profile is your watchword." She considered. "Take some of the excess stuff we picked up on Kashyyyk and try to get a good deal for it. We might need some credits."
Zaalbar nodded. Mission grinned. "Sheesh, mom, anything else?"
"Yes," Aithne said. "Shut up." She smiled tightly at Mission, to show she wasn't angry, but Mission caught her tension and became serious.
"We'll be careful, Aithne," Mission said. Aithne nodded.
"Canderous. Jolee." Both older men looked at her. "For the first couple days here, while we're getting our bearings and such, I want you two with me. I'll be posing as a smuggler. Addison Bettler will be my name."
"I wondered why you weren't in Jedi robes," Canderous said.
"Well I can't be Aithne Morrigan," said the same. "There's a general warrant out for her from Malak himself, and she's known to be traveling with Bastila Shan."
"This is a place of great danger," Juhani observed. "Are you sure you would not be better off here with Bastila, Padawan?"
Aithne shook her head. "The Sith don't know what I look like," she said, "And only Bastila and I have the faintest idea where to look for the Star Map. But all the same-" she looked around, "If any of you that are not with me at the time happen to see me, or someone else in the crew not with you, I want you to pretend complete and total ignorance of them. Pass them like a stranger. Don't even look at them. The stronger we appear here, the more power some young bloodthirsty Sith will think he can gain by killing us."
"Are we to hide like vermin?" Canderous demanded. "Aren't we going to fight?"
"I expect we'll have to, eventually," Aithne said. "That's why I want you along. But we're not going to go looking for a fight."
Canderous grumbled something in Mandalorian. Aithne shot him a quelling glare, and he subsided.
"Ok, Canderous. Jolee. Eat something and suit up. We move out in an hour."
The two men nodded. "As for the rest of you? As of now, until I come back here or indicate otherwise, I don't know you. And you don't know me." She looked around at them once, nodded, and exited the conference room.
Behind her, she heard Bastila remark to Carth, "She really is quite good at that."
In an hour, as planned, Aithne left the docking bay with Jolee and Canderous. It was fairly easy to talk the Czerka officer in charge out of charging them the fee, even without using the Force. Apparently, the Ebon Hawk was well known on Korriban, something that Aithne suspected would aid her cover. In fact, it wasn't long before a shifty Duros approached her about some spice that she had in a hidden compartment she had noticed, but had been unable to unlock, even with Mission's help. She went back to the ship briefly to collect it for him, and was able to turn a tidy profit in full sight of several citizens of the desolate world.
Aithne had known that Korriban was a Sith world. It was depressing now to walk around Dreshdae, though, and see exactly how much power the Sith had. Civilians, even visiting merchants, and Czerka employees tread carefully and watched their mouths. The Sith didn't need much of a reason to decide to kill anybody. Aithne also observed that the city was nearly overrun with "hopefuls", young idiots who had decided to come to Dreshdae to try to make it at the Academy.
She ran into a group of hopefuls being interrogated by a Sith that afternoon. Aithne grimaced. There were three of them, and the Sith was not looking happy.
"No, that is the wrong answer," he growled, berating one of the hopefuls. "Again! You pathetic hopefuls can't possibly all be this stupid, can you?"
"P-please, Master Shaardan," stammered one of the hopefuls. "Give us a chance! We'll do anything to get into the Academy!"
Aithne snorted. As if he'd let you in, she thought, annoyed. You're exactly the kind of whining wimp the Sith want to keep out.
But Shaardan, a handsome, if cruel looking young man about Aithne's own age, stroked his chin. "Hmph," he grunted. "I'm no Master…yet. But I like the sound of that. Alright. One more question, though the lot of you are trying my patience." He thought for a moment, then spoke. "Alright. Let's say you become a Sith and I am your commanding officer. I give you an order to spare the life of an enemy. Do you do it?"
The same flattering hopeful who'd spoken before jumped right in again. "Oh, of course, Shaardan," he cried. "Anything you command us!"
A second hopeful, a female this time, chimed in. "We would never oppose you!"
Aithne snorted. In a low aside to Jolee she said, "Idiots. If they actually were Sith, they ought to first kill their commander for weakness, and then kill the enemy."
Shaardan's eyes flicked to Aithne. She was standing only a few feet away, and he'd heard her. He turned to the hopefuls, sneering. "Do you honestly believe that the Sith are in need of such sniveling cowards?" He shook his head pityingly. "Mercy is a weakness," he explained. 'If your leader shows weakness, it is your duty to kill him and show true authority…true power. That is why the Sith are strong."
The third hopeful spoke up now. "Th-thank you, Shaardan," he cried. "We, uh…we understand now!"
Shaardan sighed, almost regretfully, though his eyes held a sheen that told Aithne it was all theatrics. "No," he said firmly. "You don't understand. And you probably never will. You wouldn't survive five seconds in the Academy…the other students would tear you apart! I can't be bothered with fools! Perhaps…I should…" He seemed to think for a moment, then turned to Aithne abruptly.
"You!" he called, beckoning for her and her companions to join him. "You there!"
Cautiously, Aithne walked forward, holding her face to be emotionless as Shaardan addressed her. "I heard you earlier," he said. "You have the look of someone not quite as dense as these hopefuls. I require your aid for a moment. Let me pose a question to you. These hopefuls will never survive in the Academy. A lesson must be taught, here, but I am at a loss as to what form it should take."
"Well," said Jolee reasonably. "If you can't think of anything cruel you really shouldn't be out here, young man, should you?"
Shaardan rounded on Jolee with a snarl. "I wasn't talking to you!" he spat. He turned back to Aithne, a polite smile frozen on his features like a mask. "I'm thinking to spare them the effort of being killed and do it myself. Perhaps I shall turn their skin inside out? Or Force Lightning? It is a most impressive display. Or perhaps a bit of humiliation is in order? I could easily strip off their tunics and make them run through the colony. Or they could lose all control of their bodily functions…" he trailed off, delighted with his own gruesome visions. "What do you think?" he asked deferentially. "I just can't seem to decide."
Aithne looked at him. She struggled to keep her face impassive. Honestly, she didn't know who she was angrier at, the cold-blooded, conceited Sith, or the hopefuls that were stupid enough to think they could make it here. Finally she said, "You can't just kill them."
One hopeful, sensing mercy, fell to his knees. "Please! Help us!"
"Silence!" Shaardan cried, casting all three hopefuls into a Force Stasis. He turned to Aithne, laughing a little. "Of course I can kill them. The Sith can do whatever they like on Korriban, and frankly these worms rather deserve it. That's for you to decide, however."
Aithne forced a rather unpleasant smile. "Even squashing a worm makes a mess, Shaardan, was it? And excuse me if I'm wrong, but don't the Sith usually kill for effect? These idiots already acknowledge your superiority." She shot the idiots in question a look of disdain she didn't even have to feign. "They're practically wallowing in inferiority. What will destroying them say about you?" She sniffed. "Anyone could do it. Let them go."
Shaardan had been smiling. Now he frowned. "Let them go? What could possibly convince me to do that?"
Aithne didn't even think. She smiled ironically and batted her eyelashes. "But killing them is wrong!" she said in a high, breathless voice.
Shaardan looked momentarily dazed. Then he burst out laughing. "Now that has to be the funniest thing I've heard all day," he said, as soon as he caught his breath. "Well fine, whoever you are, since you've proven such a good sport…" He disabled the Force Stasis, and waved the hopefuls away. "The boys can run off. I'm sure your little lesson will give them something to chew on."
Aithne smiled insincerely. "I hope it does," she said politely, brushing past Shaardan without a backwards glance.
"You did that particularly well," Jolee complimented her.
Aithne scowled. "I wanted to throw him into a wall," she said. "But thanks."
"The way you knew exactly what to say was especially impressive," Jolee went on. "Almost as if you knew what he had to be thinking."
Aithne scoffed. "He's just as weak as they are, really. You saw how he preened when that hopeful called him 'Master'? People like Shaardan run on flattery and the delusion of their own superiority. It makes them that much easier to take down, and far more amusing. You just compliment them. Oblige their wish to think themselves rulers supreme, and then while they're busy thinking how clever they are you pull the rug out from under them."
Jolee looked sideways at Aithne. Aithne frowned, wondering what his problem was. She went back through her last little speech in her head, and was suddenly very uneasy. And yet it was true, she thought rebelliously.
"Let's hit the Cantina," Aithne said, looking away. "I'm starving."
"Fine by me," Canderous grunted.
The three of them headed to the cantina. Just as they entered, three Sith exited, looking incredibly pleased with themselves. Aithne tensed.
"Look here, my dear friends," said the tall blonde in the lead. "We have a group of newcomers to our little colony. I don't believe I've seen any of them before. Have you?"
The three fanned out to get into better attack position.
Canderous removed the safety on his big gun. "You should turn around and move along, kid," he advised. "You don't want the trouble we'd give you."
The blonde laughed merrily. "Smart-mouthed newcomers to boot," she said to her friends, still not addressing Aithne and her companions directly.
One of the others chuckled grimly. "Looks pretty fresh to me, Lashowe," he said.
"That's what I thought," Lashowe said. She put her hands on her hips and faced the group. "Well, strangers…I don't know whether you're aware of this or not, but here on Korriban the Sith do as they please. And we are Sith."
"Really now?" Aithne murmured.
Lashowe's eyes flashed. "Quite literally, whether you live or die depends upon our whim. What do you think of that, hmmm?"
Aithne crossed her arms and gave the blonde the once-over. "I'm not too impressed, actually. If you like, you can try to kill us. You'd fail, but you can try."
"Those are very brave words for such an insignificant person," Lashowe said in a low voice. "Do you not realize how many Sith are here in Dreshdae?"
Jolee raised his hand like a child in a classroom. "Twelve?" he asked eagerly. "No, wait, thirteen!"
"Nice one, old man," Canderous complimented him.
"Thank you," Jolee said. "It takes effort to be properly irreverent at my age."
The Sith had been gradually turning red in the face throughout this exchange. One of the men with Lashowe turned to her now. "Let me kill this one, Lashowe!" he begged, indicating Jolee. "Let me do it!"
"Now, now," Lashowe clucked at him. "Let's not be hasty. Perhaps our friend here could yet offer up some amusement." She eyed Aithne coldly. "What do you say? Amuse us. Make us laugh, and we just might consider allowing you to live."
Aithne kept her arms crossed, but widened her stance a bit. "I'm not looking for trouble, but I'm not here to amuse you," she said.
Lashowe's eyes widened. "Oh? I see. We'll just have to see about that, won't we?" she said.
One of her friends, the one on Jolee's right, laughed. "Looks like this one's not afraid of you at all, Lashowe," he said.
Lashowe glared at him. "Are you going to let us be insulted?" she demanded.
The other man, on Canderous' left, waved Lashowe away. "Oh, get over yourself already. I'm tired of this."
The first man nodded. "Yeah, this one's got some backbone, at least. Let's go," he said to his friend. The two men turned and began to walk away. Lashowe snarled.
"Fine," she said sulkily at last. Glaring at Aithne as she walked past, she said in a low, poisonous whisper, "I'll deal with you later."
Aithne turned deliberately, and walked into the cantina with her friends, ignoring the Sith woman. The three of them ordered their food, walking past the Pazaak table, where some Rodian addict was yelling about how a Twi'lek child had beaten him.
The three of them found seats with two hopefuls.
"Hello," Aithne said to them. "I'm Addison Bettler, and these are my companions Jolee and Canderous." Aithne had noticed that Malak's death order had contained no mention of her friends, and it was unlikely that anyone had heard of Jolee in twenty years at least.
The hopefuls looked a bit confused, but didn't look angry at Aithne's intrusion. Both were humans, a young man and woman in their teens.
The man shook Aithne's hand. "I'm Thaddeus Nelson," he said, "and this is my friend Leni Cooper. What brings you to Korriban?"
"A bit of this and that," Aithne said breezily. "Buying, selling. You know how it is."
Thaddeus looked her up and down, taking in her black armor and big sword, and tough-looking companions. "I think so," he said warily.
"So," Aithne said subtly, acting like she didn't really care about the answer. "You two looking to get into the Academy here?"
"Yes," Leni answered firmly. "We both hope to become Sith soon."
Aithne nudged Jolee under the table, and he began, playing along. "Seems like the galaxy's changing, doesn't it? The Sith might rule it all soon. What can you tell us about the Academy?"
"Why do you want to know?" asked Leni suspiciously, narrowing her eyes, suddenly looking over Aithne and her friends as if they might be competition.
"Might be important to know about the Sith, if they take over the galaxy, don't you think?" Aithne asked.
The two hopefuls conceded the point. They revealed to Aithne what they knew, which turned out not to be much. No one was allowed inside the Academy walls except those that were training to become Sith.
"And that's nearly impossible," laughed Thaddeus harshly. "You only get in by receiving a medallion from one of the Sith already attending the Academy, or if Master Yuthura approves you."
"Who's Master Yuthura?" asked Aithne.
"She's a Twi'lek Sith Master in charge of admissions," Leni answered. "She comes in here every few days to scout for new recruits, but she's tough."
"Have you talked to her?" Jolee asked.
"Only about seven times," laughed Thaddeus. "She said the next time either of us came up she'd skin us alive and hang us from the rafters. It's either medallions or bust for us now. But we'll get in."
"We have to," said Leni.
"When's she coming in next?" Aithne asked.
Leni shrugged. "She came in yesterday, so I'd guess tomorrow at the earliest."
"Have you met any of the other Sith?" Jolee asked.
"A few," Thaddeus said.
The two hopefuls proceeded to give Aithne and her companions the lowdown on some of the younger Sith students. It turned out that Lashowe was well known as a bully and a braggart, but she rarely actually hurt anyone, and she always traveled with others. Shaardan actually was one of the helpful ones, the teens told her, and while he sometimes killed and embarrassed stupid and careless hopefuls, he also was liable to instruct them, and sometimes gave out medallions. They'd met a shy young man they'd heard was up for Sith testing soon. His name was Kel Algwinn.
"I don't know how he ever got into the Academy," Leni spat contemptuously. "He never talks to anyone, never hurts anyone, and never gives out a single medallion."
"I mean, Dustil Onasi's polite enough, too, but at least he's a proper Sith," agreed Thaddeus.
Beside Aithne, Canderous blinked, and Aithne felt Jolee tense. Both of them were very careful not to look at her, though, and she was grateful. It was hard enough keeping her own face in check.
"Dustil? You haven't mentioned him before," she said casually. "Tell me about him."
"He's one of the best Sith in the Academy," Leni gushed dreamily. "Just our age, too. It wouldn't surprise me if he's due to be shipped out to war soon."
"He's not that great," muttered Thaddeus. "Leni just thinks he's good-looking."
"Well he is," murmured Leni rebelliously.
They went on to talk about Dustil Onasi's strength in the Force. He apparently was quite pleasant to all the hopefuls, but hardly let anyone into the Academy. The other Sith didn't mess with him much, they said. They'd seen him Force Push a fellow Sith fifty feet into a wall for rudeness. Leni maintained that he was quite clever. Thaddeus disagreed, but Aithne didn't. The boy was Carth's son, after all. All in all, ithe report was that Dustil was powerful, intelligent, and very polite, as promising a young Sith as ever they'd seen, though Thaddeus did say that Dustil was somewhat less ruthless and cruel than might be expected.
"Nothing like Mekel," said Thaddeus darkly.
"Who's Mekel?" Aithne asked.
"He's another one of the apprentices up for testing this month," Leni said. "I hear he's been torturing Bart and some others outside for a few days now," she told Thaddeus.
"It's true," Thaddeus said. "I've seen them. He's starving them until he thinks they're worthy to be Sith."
"I bet it's just another trick," Leni said, "but if they get into the Academy!" Her eyes shone.
"Does Mekel often trick others?" Jolee asked.
"All the time," Thaddeus said. "He thinks it's 'dreadful fun' to find stupid hopefuls and trick them to death, promising he'll let them into the Academy."
"It's no more than the idiots deserve," Leni said, "but still…"
Aithne finished her food and stood. She shook Thaddeus and Leni's hands. "Well, thank you for the information. This has been most enlightening. I hope we meet again."
"Do you really?" Jolee asked, as they left.
"Not in the slightest," Aithne said without hesitation. "Nelson's nice enough. I only wonder why he's stupid enough to want to be a Sith. But Leni's ruthless and zealous. She'll make Sith soon, as long as she's smart enough to stop hanging out with Thaddeus."
"I liked her," Canderous said. Aithne rolled her eyes. No surprise there. "Where to?" he grunted.
"Outside," Aithne said shortly. "I want to meet this Mekel. Maybe I can help the hopefuls or something."
Aithne and the others traversed the barren rocks outside of the Dreshdae walls, following the path to the Academy, a long, low, grim looking building. An armored guard stood at the gate. To the left of the building, several men panted. They were pale, with rings under their eyes, and chapped lips. Across the way, a tall, vicious looking man stood, arms crossed, smiling in satisfaction, especially at the three or so corpses that lay next to the survivors in the line.
Aithne walked up to the man.
He turned hardened eyes to look at her with a bored expression. "Is there something you want?" he drawled.
"If you're Mekel," Aithne said, fighting to control her voice. Her fists clenched. This whole thing was starting to get to her. All the Sith, all the cruelty, all the subterfuge. And the fact that she still hadn't heard anything of the Star Map or formulated any shadow of a plan to get to Dustil Onasi.
"And what if I am?" said the man.
"Then do something about those idiots over there!" Aithne ordered, gesturing behind her. "They're dying!"
"That is the whole point," Mekel spat. "Personally, I think it's wonderful fun. Those fools actually think that if they stand there long enough, I'll let them become a Sith." He looked at said fools vindictively. "Idiots. A Sith is not a bantha, all endurance and no brains. A Sith would fight for his life, no matter the odds. If these rotgrubs are as stupid as they seem, then they deserve their fate!"
His hatred hit Aithne with incredible force. She winced as the wave washed over her, and a small part of her cringed as the larger part rose up with an anger to match. "You mean this isn't a real test for them?" she asked in a low voice. Her right hand twitched. She played with taking his head off right there, but Jolee stepped forward just a little, and Aithne recalled what a very stupid idea that would be.
Mekel chuckled. "Oh, it's a test alright," he said. "It's a test to see if they're actually fool enough to die. If they don't however, I certainly wouldn't admit them just for that accomplishment."
Jolee smiled unpleasantly. "Why not just shoot them where they stand?" he asked rhetorically. "It would at least be more direct."
Canderous nodded sagely. "It's what I would do," he said.
Jolee looked at Canderous with disgust. "Of course that's what you would do," he sighed.
Mekel considered for a moment. "It is a bit boring standing out here all day," he admitted. "I think I'll go in for some dinner…it'll be fun to think of them while I gorge myself."
His eyes darted to Aithne's hand, the one that had twitched earlier, and up to the double vibrosword strapped to her back. He grinned predatorily, as if daring her to defy him. Aithne sneered, but she thought of Carth and Dustil, and managed to remain stationary.
Mekel shrugged, disappointed. "They'll still be here in an hour or two, surely. I suggest you run along before I decide to make you a part of the fun."
"One problem with that, Mekel," Aithne said as he left. He turned to face her, raising one eyebrow. "Making me part of the fun, that is." She paused, and grinned with every bit as much steel and teeth as he had a moment earlier. "I'm no idiot. Enjoy your supper."
As he turned to go again, Aithne was gratified to see him look a little unnerved. As soon as Mekel was gone, Aithne walked over to one of the hopefuls trying his utmost just to stand upright.
He fought to meet her eyes. "You…you talked to Mekel?" he rasped. "Have I proved my worth? Did he say anything?"
Aithne looked him up and down coldly. He really was an idiot. And he was close to death in any case. "He said you should go home," she lied. "The Sith aren't for you."
The man's eyes widened. "Go…home?" he stammered. He crumpled. Aithne caught him, but it was too late. He was gone. She dropped him, kicking the wall angrily.
"You should've let me kill him, Jolee," she growled, referring to Mekel.
"No, I shouldn't have," Jolee replied calmly. "You'll be wanting in that Academy to save the pilot's son, I'll wager, and also because the Sith are probably all over the Star Map. For that to happen, you need the Sith to like you."
Aithne rounded upon him, eyes blazing. Then she let out a growl of frustration. He was right. She kicked the wall again.
"I hate this place," she said. "I hate just watching them, and not being able to do anything. But it's not just that, Jolee. The very air burns."
"That's the Dark Side you're feeling, lass."
Aithne looked away from the old Jedi. She knew. The Dark Side ran through the very marrow of this place. It was under her skin. She could feel it there like a virus, hot and itchy. Intoxicating, demanding, and powerful. She did not spurn the Dark Side like the Jedi, but neither did she want it to overcome her, to rule her existence like it did the Sith, and she felt that here, falling into the dark would be far too easy.
Aithne was able to talk one of the remaining idiots at the wall into leaving, the very Bart that Leni and Thaddeus had mentioned.
"Let's go," she said in a toneless voice.
They went back to the Hawk in silence. Carth met her at the door. He grabbed her arm and steered her into the cargo hold. "Well?"
Aithne sighed. "He's here. One of the Academy's best and brightest, according to report. We have to hurry. One of the hopefuls said he might be shipped out to the war soon."
Carth's face twisted into an agonizing mix of hope and disappointment. Half of him had hoped that Jordo had been mistaken, Aithne knew. Almost better that Dustil had died on Telos with his mother than to find him a Sith.
"Did you see him?" Carth demanded in a low voice.
"No. He's a Sith. All the Sith are in the Academy most of the time. And only Sith are allowed in the Academy."
"What are you going to do?" Carth asked.
Aithne closed her eyes. Jolee had said it. The solution was obvious, really. Easy to say. But execution was going to be so, so difficult. "I'm going to do the only thing I can, Carth. I'm going to become a Sith."
A few minutes later, Aithne exited the cargo hold. Carth headed to the cockpit, where he usually found a bit of peace, even when he wasn't piloting. Aithne, however, headed to the women's dorms. When she heard voices, though, she stopped in the corridor. There were four of them. Canderous, Mission, Jolee, and Bastila were in the workroom. Aithne didn't want to interrupt, she turned to go, then she heard her name.
"I'm worried about Aithne," Mission said.
"She has been acting very strange of late," Bastila agreed. "I have sensed an unusual amount of anger and worry from her lately. Fear as well, but not for herself."
"It's Carth," Jolee said. "His son is here. A Sith. One of the best in the Academy."
"Oh," Mission breathed. "That's awful! I knew something had happened with Carth. She told me that much. But this…"
"You knew of this?" Bastila demanded. "Mission, you would have done well to say something. Aithne's fear for Carth may lead her to act unwisely."
Canderous let out a gravelly laugh. "Unwisely? Princess, that woman would go to hell and back for Onasi, and you know it."
"I am more worried about her going to the Dark Side for him, and being unable to return," Bastila sniffed.
"She plans to do just that," Jolee said. "Or, at least, to pretend to. She's going to try to get into the Academy. The trick will be making sure the act does not become her reality. She has…she has much anger in her. And much frustration."
"I know," Bastila said in a low, sad voice. "Jolee, Mission? Promise me you'll watch her. Help her. She won't talk to me about any of it, you know she won't. Canderous, you, too. Protect her."
Aithne decided this had gone far enough. She didn't need anyone's protection. It was beyond anything! They acted like she was a time bomb that might go off at any time!
She strode into the room, looking from one to the other of them. Bastila blushed a deep red. Jolee and Canderous looked away. Only Mission looked steadily back at her. "This bucket's kind of small, isn't it?" Aithne said. "So hard to find privacy, don't you think?"
"How much did you hear?" Jolee asked.
"Enough." Aithne said shortly. "I don't need watching, Bastila," she told the younger Jedi. "I can take care of myself."
"We're just worried about you," Mission said. "You're so wound up, and you've hardly talked to anyone for days!"
"I'm fine," Aithne said coldly, sweeping past the thunderstruck four to the women's dormitory.
A/N: I always thought that there would be some residual memories, residual patterns of behavior, going on inside of the Revan character's head on Korriban, even if you don't do it last like a lot of people do. Aithne gets kind of scary here on Korriban at times. I love writing this part of the story...
Please leave a review if you've read and enjoyed this. Thank you.
May the Force Be With You,
LMSharp