Chapter 7
REPUBLIC FREIGHTER
EN ROUTE TO TARIS SYSTEM
Lance squadron had docked on the carrier waiting at the rendezvous coordinates and the injured Jedi and Cathar were receiving treatment in its medbay. Dyre had been placed in the brig for the journey back to the Courageous.
Carth made the jump to hyperspace and then turned expectantly to Jaelyn in the co-pilot's seat. "It's later."
She shot him a confused look. "Later? Oh. That," she said. "Um. Look, I don't fully understand it myself," she hedged.
"Tell me what you do understand."
"Okay, well you know how Jedi have certain abilities, things we're all able to do with different degrees of skill?"
"Like telekinesis."
"Yes. Well some Jedi have extra abilities such as battle meditation." She glanced over at Carth who nodded his understanding. "I have an ability to form strong bonds with others through the Force. It's not something I do consciously and we don't know a lot about the ability yet but apparently one of the side effects is difficulty performing Force healing on others."
"Difficulty?" Carth raised an eyebrow. "You passed out."
"Yes well that's never happened before. Normally I just experience some of their pain and feel kind of dizzy and weak. We think I form a bond when I heal and then there is a sort of feedback through the bond. Anyway, with you it was like I was experiencing your wounds myself. Maybe because we had already formed a bond the side effects were more intense when I healed you, I don't know."
"Well thank you for saving my life but don't ever do that again. What if you'd died instead of just passing out?" Carth rubbed his hand absently at the stubble on his jaw. "And I don't know how I feel about this whole bond thing. What does that mean anyway? Do you have some sort of influence on my mind?"
"No! Well. I don't think so. I'm sorry, I wish I had more answers for you. I would never use our bond against you. I hope you know that. And I'm sorry but I can't promise never to use Force healing on you again. Besides, I don't think it would kill me. It hasn't yet anyway." She shrugged.
Carth heaved an exasperated sigh. "Maybe I should transfer you to a different squadron."
"No! Why? I love flying with Lance squadron."
"I can't be responsible for you getting hurt, Jae."
"Well that's the stupidest thing in a long line of stupid things I've heard come out of your mouth. I am a Jedi fraking Knight! Staying safe is not in the job description." She stood and strode toward the hatch, pausing in the doorway. "If you think I can't cut it flying with Lance that's fine, transfer me, but keep the banthashit to yourself."
Carth sat stunned in the wake of her stormy departure. "Well that escalated quickly," he muttered.
COURAGEOUS MEDICAL BAY
TARIS SYSTEM
Keeda forced herself not to flinch away from the med tech wearing the white coat as he ran a final scan. She tentatively reached out with the Force, half expecting to receive an excruciating shock, and calmed her racing heart. She sensed the similar discomfort of Ferroh who was also submitting to his pre-discharge evaluation and recognized a comfortingly familiar Force signature approaching.
The door slid open with a slight hiss to admit Jaelyn. "I came to spring you two." Her voice was light but Keeda could feel the strong undercurrent of guilt.
"Get over here, human, and give me a hug."
Jaelyn obeyed, much to the annoyance of the tech. "Thank the Force you're safe now. I'm so so sorry, Kee," she said softly.
"Stop with the guilt, Jae. There was nothing you could've done had you been there, you'd have been taken too and then who would have rescued us? C'mon," she hopped off the bed, "show me where the mess is. I'm starving."
SANDPIPER
COURAGEOUS DOCKING BAY
JEBBLE-VANQUO-TARNITH LINE
Revan looked out the viewport at the small group assembled in the docking bay and finally felt like she could breathe again. Alek was safe. She addressed her team, "Thank you for your final reports. I'll present them to Captain Karath during my debriefing and you'll have new assignments by 0700."
"Thank you for getting us safely through the mission, sir!" Bellarke said, leading the team in a round of applause.
She raised a hand to quiet them. "You all made this mission a resounding success. Now get some sleep and some real food for Force sake!" She shooed them down the ramp.
Bellarke laid his hand on her shoulder. "Don't forget to eat and sleep either, sir. Wearing that mask doesn't make you a droid." He tossed her a grin before disembarking.
Revan was following him out when she was swept up by a very tall, very handsome young Knight. She suppressed a giggle and allowed herself to be carried back into the ship, ripping off her mask and hungrily seeking his lips. Alek carried her to the starboard dormitory and deposited her unceremoniously on one of the ridiculously hard bunks. Revan suddenly stiffened and pushed against his chest. "Stop," she demanded." "You got yourself captured. You could've been killed!"
"I just wanted to give you a reason to come back early," he mumbled against her neck and resumed kissing her. "Force you smell good." His hands traveled down her sides.
She shivered. "We can't just - we have to talk about this!" She pushed more insistently.
"What is there to talk about, Revan?" Alek asked, pulling back in frustration. "We're in a kriffing war for Force sake! Either of us could die on any given mission. Hell we could get blown out of the sky today if the entire Mandalorian fleet were to show up right now. Are we really going to fight about something out of our control or are we going to take whatever moments we can get together?" He watched her deep brown eyes soften and let out a sigh, gathering her into his arms again. "I'm sorry for getting caught."
"I'm sorry too. I just. I don't know if I can live in a galaxy without you in it. I can't do this without you, Alek. You're my strength."
Alek pressed a kiss onto the top of her head. "I know you can because you're Revan but I swear I'll do my best to make sure you don't have to."
She tightened her arms around him a moment and glanced at her wrist Chrono. "I have a little time before I have to meet Karath." She shifted in his lap, hiding a smile at his nearly inaudible groan her movement produced. "Want to make the most of one of our moments right now?"
Adon broke into a jog when he caught sight of Jaelyn and Keeda. The three friends embraced enthusiastically. "Keeda! Thank the Force you're safe!" He gave her another squeeze. "And Jaelyn, what's this I heard about a crash landing on Tarnith? You were supposed to be staying out of trouble while I was away!"
Keeda's eyes widened in surprise. "Crash landing? You said nothing of a crash landing. What happened?"
"It was no big deal. My bird got banged up a bit in a refueling accident and I had to make an emergency landing."
"They told me they had to scrap your fighter and you ended up in a kolto tank," he accused.
"Okay, fine! I pancaked into a rock and Carth had to pull me out. Happy?"
"It's Carth now?" Keeda grinned mischievously. "He is awfully cute. For a human."
Jaelyn blushed. "Ugh! I tell you about my near death experience and that's how you respond? He's married, Kee, with an eight year old son. Even if he were available he's at least ten years older. Trust me, we're just friends."
Adon breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad we're all together and in one piece. I am a little disappointed you two stole all the action though. Next time let me have some of the adventures, okay?"
"You can have all the adventures," Jaelyn said, linking her arm through his. "Where to first? Dormitory or Mess Hall?"
OLD SENATE HALL
CORUSCANT
"This man led an ambush against my team and handed us over to Dr. Demagol, also known as the carver of flesh to his people. We were tortured and experimented on and while my team did not suffer any casualties, records pulled from Flashpoint Station's computers indicated that other Jedi before us were not so fortunate." Alek's eyes flashed with barely controlled fury. Zayne flinched in the stands, waiting to be called as a witness. "You have on your datapads the name of every victim of the so-called doctor."
"Dr. Demagol is not on trial here. My client, Rohlan Dyre, is and he is not being charged with any of these atrocities." The tall Kaminoan assigned as public defender to Dyre gestured with his slender fingers. "Commander Dyre may have been placed in charge of the Suurja mission and he may have followed orders and delivered Jedi Alek's team to Flashpoint but as we will demonstrate he was instrumental in the rescue of those same Jedi and Republic soldiers as well as a number of Cathar that were also being held captive."
"He's a Mandalorian soldier! He slaughtered countless Cathar!"
"Prosecutor, I ask that you remove your witness. He is clearly too distraught -"
"Of course I'm distraught! This kriffing Mandalorian shouldn't even be afforded a trial. I should have put him down on that fraking station like the rabid Kath hound he is!" Alek struck out with the Force and flung Dyre across the room. The Mandalorian hit the far wall with a thud and slid to the floor, momentarily stunned.
Senate guardsmen moved to contain Alek but he shrugged them off easily. Zayne rushed to help Dyre to his feet. "The Revanchists won't rest until we've driven every last bit of Mandalorian trash from the galaxy!"
Dyre snorted a laugh. "I'd like to see you try. Your weak Republic doesn't have what it takes to make the hard choices in this war. Mandalore the Ultimate will prevail, of that you can be sure. But even if you do manage to save the Republic from us who is going to save the Republic from you?"
The old Senate Hall erupted into a roar of voices, the crowd pushing against the perimeter guards. "We have to get him out of here," Zayne said to a nearby guardsman.
"This way. We have an exit plan in place." The guard led the Mandalorian and Jedi from the chamber.
"Zayne," Dyre whispered urgently. "You have to free me. I saw the intel pulled from the station. Demagol is developing a chemical weapon capable of neutralizing large numbers of Jedi from a distance. I don't have to tell you what this means for your people."
Zayne shuddered. He'd seen the records from Demagol's lab that Jaelyn downloaded. The man was twisted. "Agreed, he needs to be stopped but what does that have to do with you?"
"Your Republic can't spare the resources it will take to bring him down. I can return to my people and find him in a fraction of the time with none of the expense and manpower."
"Dyre. You're talking about your own people. Demagol could turn the tide of this war with his weapon. I just can't trust you this time."
"Then don't trust me. Come with me. Help me rid the galaxy of this butcher. Then we'll go our separate ways and pray we don't meet on the battlefield."
Zayne sucked in a breath and blew it back out slowly, nodding. "Okay. Alek will never forgive me but I'll do it. I assume you have a plan?"
THE SANDPIPER
SENATE LANDING PAD
CORUSCANT
Alek emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. He used the Force to relieve as much of the vertigo as he could and pushed himself back to his feet, gripping the wash basin. He splashed cold water on his face, willing the nausea to subside. Must be the stress of the trial or maybe a stomach virus, he thought, wishing he were more adept at Force healing. He considered having Revan take a stab at whatever was ailing him then thought better of it. She had enough to worry about as it is. He wondered what the verdict would be. I hope they space him like Jae suggested. A knock at the 'fresher door jolted him from his thoughts. Speak of the devil. "I'll be out in a moment, Rev," he said aloud.
"You look terrible." Her eyebrows furrowed with concern as she took in his pallid features, reaching up to check him for fever.
"I'm fine. Just got myself worked up over the trial. When will they announce a verdict?"
Revan hesitated. "Dyre escaped. I'm sorry, Alek, it looks like Zayne helped him get off planet."
Alek stared at her, speechless. "I don't understand."
"No one does. I can only hope he had a good reason."
"How could he betray me? Betray us?" The rage that had become his companion since the abduction roared back to the surface. "Traitor." He growled, his voice dangerously quiet.
Revan grabbed his hand, pulling him to her and laying her head against his broad chest. She reached out for his presence, sending him peace and warmth and love. "Hold me."
Alek released the breath he'd been holding, willed his jaw to unclench, and obliged. He wrapped his arms around his beloved and forced himself to let go of the rage, the hate, the thoughts of vengeance.
"We will find Dyre," Revan promised. "We will find Demagol. And when we do they will face justice."
PILOT READY ROOM
COURAGEOUS
JEBBLE-VANQUO-TARNITH LINE
"Mind if I join you? I have some brooding of my own to do and I'd like some company." Jaelyn dropped into the seat across from Carth, setting her glass on the table.
"I'm not brooding. Aren't you a little young for that?" He gestured to her glass.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm a Jedi. We don't have a minimum drinking age. And you most certainly are brooding, it's practically an art form for you." She ignored his huff of indignation. "Well spill it, what has you in a mood this time?"
"Morgana. It's our anniversary today. I sent her a subspace message but I know she's pissed at me for missing yet another important moment."
"I'm sorry. It must be terribly difficult for her with you away so much."
"It is. She asked me to resign my commission and return to the Telos Security Force but I couldn't. Not now with a war going on. She, ah, wasn't happy." He looked down at the table, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So you care about the Republic. Enough to die for it if need be. I imagine that your courage and loyalty is what made Morgana fall in love with you in the first place. Yes, I'm sure she was angry and I'm sure it won't be the last time either but she loves you, Carth. She'll forgive you. In fact I bet she's sitting in a TSF office right now hoping you'll get a chance to make a holocall." She gave him a shove. "Even if she's not there leave a message and arrange for a delivery of namana candy or Ithorian roses or something."
"I'm not sure I should be taking relationship advice from a Jedi." His brown eyes twinkled with mirth. "But seriously, why did you need to brood? What's on your mind?"
"I'm just worried about our ability to hold this security cordon. We're stretched way too thin and the constant patrols are wearing everyone down. At some point the Mandalorians are going to stop these hit and fade operations and make a full scale attack and I just wonder if we'll be able to adequately defend against it when the time comes." She shook her head and gave him another shove. "Enough stalling. Go talk to your beautiful wife. I can worry just fine on my own."
"Okay but promise you'll go easy on the juma. Can't have my wingman falling down drunk if a major attack does happen."
"Jedi have ways to deal with intoxication," she grinned. "Go on old man. This is my last one, I promise."
MANDALORIAN VESSEL JAI'GALAAR
OSADIA SYSTEM
"Well frak me there is something here after all," Zayne whistled, staring out the viewport. The entire system had been erased from the star-charts but Dyre had insisted on following the trail they'd unearthed on Volgax.
"Scans show the planet Osadia is heavily forested but there is a small clearing fairly close to the academy. We should be able to land there without detection. Don't want that hut'uun seeing us coming and running away," Dyre said.
As promised Dyre had been able to pick up Demagol's trail quickly and he and Zayne had followed it here to Osadia. Before joining up with the Mandalorians the mad scientist had founded a secret "academy" where he experimented on Force sensitive children. It was here he'd returned to perfect his chemical Force suppression weapon. Dyre landed the ship, skillfully evading the academy's meager defense scanners.
Zayne reached out and, not sensing any sentient life forms nearby, gave Dyre the all clear to disembark. "You weren't kidding about it being heavily forested," he grumbled as the two unlikely allies trudged through the thick underbrush.
"Quiet, Jedi."
"Why? I don't sense anyone. Do you hear something?"
"No. I just want you to be quiet."
Zayne huffed but fell silent. They slowed their pace as they neared the academy. The intel they'd gathered hadn't indicated exterior defenses but neither wanted to be the victim of a surprise assault.
Zayne's senses tingled in warning just in time to dodge a blaster bolt from a hidden defense turret. He ignited his saber with a snap-hiss and wove a defensive net in front of Dyre and himself as Dyre methodically shot each turret. Zayne tried not to dwell on the fact that he and the Mandalorian made a very efficient team. "So much for the intel."
"No intelligence is perfect." Dyre grunted, pulling the key panel open and exposing the wiring for the door locking mechanism underneath. He had it hot wired in a few moments and it slid open with a slight hiss. Pulsing red glowpanels lit the interior of the academy and a mechanized voice repeated perimeter alert.
"Safe bet Demagol knows we're here." Zayne hurried to a security console and began slicing it. He downloaded the academy blueprints to his datapad and then sliced into the defense system. He deactivated all interior turrets and cycled through the interior cameras. "I don't see any guards but Demagol is in a laboratory in the south wing. We'd better hurry, he didn't look like he was planning on staying long."
Zayne and Dyre moved swiftly but cautiously through the corridors. Another tingle of warning saved him from a blaster bolt to the head. He ducked as the bolt burned into the bulkhead beside him. "Demagol!" Zayne called. "Surrender and I promise you a fair trial."
"That hut'uun deserves neither a trial nor an honorable death." Dyre growled beside him, pulling a second blaster from his side holster. He leaped from behind the corner firing indiscriminately. The stench of burned plasteel filled the room.
Demagol returned his fire but Zayne stepped in front, deflecting the blaster bolts harmlessly to the side.
"Hah! I'm a hut'uun but you align yourself with the Jedi. You are a fool, Dyre, and a traitor. I am charged with developing a weapon to defeat these Force wielders by Mandalore himself. Who are you to question my calling?"
"You are a sadistic butcher, Demagol, and you shame the clans. Mandalore may be temporarily blinded by his desire for conquest but history will remember me fondly for my actions here today." Dyre activated a vibroblade and hurled it at the deranged scientist. It sliced through a small joint in his armor, burying itself in his shoulder. Demagol howled in pain, dropping his blaster and reaching with his good arm to deactivate the blade.
Dyre took advantage of the temporary halt in blasterfire and charged the lab opening, sliding under the descending door Demagol had triggered to cover his retreat. Zayne was a second too late and barely managed to halt in time to avoid slamming into the durasteel. He set to work immediately, burning a new entrance with his saber.
Demagol had recovered his blaster and fired at the overhead glowpanels, plunging the room into darkness. Dyre ducked behind a console and activated the infrared vision on his helmet. Blaster in each hand he cautiously moved back out into the room, staying in a low crouch. Blaster fire streaked over his head which he immediately returned. He could see the glow of Zayne's saber penetrating the door behind him and knew he was running out of time if he wanted to kill Demagol. He detected movement to his left and threw a cryo grenade. He was rewarded with the sound of Demagol's surprised grunt.
Before the frost could melt he knocked the blaster out of his foe's grasp and removed his helmet. He pressed his own blaster between the Zeltron's eyes, enjoying the fear he saw in them. "You are dar'manda and you have no place in the afterlife."
Zayne broke through the door in time to see Demagol's lifeless body hit the floor.
HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JEDI TEMPLE
CORUSCANT
"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Alek asked.
Revan sighed. "Because burning bridges during a war is unwise." She pushed the heavy chamber doors open and entered, allowing them to close with a boom behind them. "Masters," she said, bowing. "How may we be of service?"
"Save your false piety, Revan." Master Vrook Lamar was present via holo and was his usual surly self. "You can recall your followers and respect the demands of this council."
She felt Alek bristle beside her and sent him a wave of calm. "If by my followers you mean the Jedi who have left the enclaves to defend the Republic from the Mandalorian invasion I might remind you that this very council agreed to allow them to go."
"We agreed to allow Jedi to defend the Republic. We did not agree to you creating a new sect of Jedi warmongers. Your so called Revanchists -"
"That is the media's doing," Revan interrupted. "I am no leader of a sect. I certainly did not approve of the Revanchist nonsense and we are not warmongers. We take up arms to defend the helpless not because we crave war."
"That may be your intent, Revan, but the holonews outlets paint you as the leader of Jedi warriors. We cannot allow this to continue. This is not the way of the Jedi," Master Vandar Tokare interjected gently.
"Inform the Republic military that the Revanchists are withdrawing from the war or we will formally denounce you and everyone who followed you into this madness!" Vrook said with his customary vitriol.
Alek snorted. "That will make the council very popular with the Republic media I'm sure."
Several masters exchanged looks of consternation while Vrook's holographic countenance continued to glare blaster bolts at the two young knights.
Revan softened her face, adopting an almost apologetic tone. "Masters, we do understand and share your concerns about the public's opinion of the Order. Nevertheless, the reasons we felt compelled to defend the Republic in this war remain and we are not willing to abandon them during this time of crisis." She saw Vrook gearing up for another tirade and quickly continued. "Would the council consider sanctioning a Republic Mercy Corp led by Alek and myself to assist the Republic? The Jedi Council will of course have a hand in developing the public face of the Corp."
"Interesting proposal, Revan," Master Zhar Lestin said. "We will discuss it. I trust you both will be staying on Coruscant a few days? We can have quarters arranged for you in the temple."
"We appreciate your hospitality, Master, but I'd prefer to stay on my ship to better monitor the war status."
"Very well. We'll be in touch."
Parting pleasantries were exchanged and Revan and Alek headed back to the Piper docked near the Jedi Temple. "Is this okay? If you'd prefer to stay in the temple I'm sure it can be arranged."
Alek chuckled. "A few days alone with you on an empty ship? Sounds like torture."
OSADIA
"This is where we part company, jetii."
"Where will you go?" Zayne asked. "Not back to a war you don't believe in, surely?"
"I am mando'ad. War is salvation and Mandalore he who leads us to that salvation. I will follow my conscience as I did in dealing with the butcher but I will not betray myself by running from my salvation. I thank you for your assistance, ner vod, but I pray our paths do not cross again." Dyre patted the hull of the Jai'galaar. "She will get you back to your Republic but be warned she will self-destruct if used to fire upon a Mandalorian vessel or if her decrypt software is activated without the proper authorization."
"In other words, she's a glorified taxi," Zayne smiled wryly. "Noted. Goodbye, Rohlan Dyre of Clan Skirata." He reached out to shake the Mandalorian's armored gauntlet and was startled when the older warrior pulled him into an embrace, slapping him on the back.
"Ret'urcye mhi, ner vod." Dyre said. Goodbye, brother.
Author's Note: Woo! What a gap between uploads. Sorry about that. We have Maugle to thank for me uploading chapter 7 as their following this story was the impetus for me to actually finish chapter 8. I haven't begun on chapter 9 yet but once it's done I promise I will immediately upload 8 for your reading pleasure! Hopefully it won't be another year in the making. We had a surprise fourth baby between the last chapter and this one. She's now a year old and has been such a joy. I am still struggling for balance but I'm trying to find time for things that make me happy like writing! So review if you feel inclined. Criticism is very welcome. Am I being too fluffy? Too melodramatic? Too much dialogue? Thanks for reading!
