Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars nor do I own SW: KOTOR nor do I own LucasArts- again, that would be cool, but no. I do not. Would be nice.

Okay guys! Here's another chapter (And might I add, I do believe my chapters are getting longer. Progressively. I don't know if thats a good sign or a bad one. Oh well. lol)

Hopefully, you guys will enjoy this chapter just as much as I do writing them! I just can't wait until I get further into the story.

Well, here you go, enjoy the story!


A Life-Debt?

Mission led them to a gate where she yanked it opened before smiling at them. So they were getting closer.

"This should be the place!"

They followed her inside and moved cautiously through, plugging their noses to the smell. Samirah could guess what it was but wasn't really about to voice her suspicions. She really didn't want to know. What she did know was that it was the most awful, disgusting, ghastly smell she had ever had to endure.

And she had endured quite a lot.

When they heard a roar like scream, they knew what was ahead of them. Rakghouls. Samirah was beyond sick of them. If she didn't have to deal with them, then it would be too soon. They moved quickly, dispatching them and careful not to be scratched or bitten by their infested claws and fangs. Samirah especially. She didn't want to use the only serum left and with a scratch already—she didn't want to tempt fate. That last serum was for Zelka.

When they began fighting Gamorreans, they knew they were inching closer to where Zaalbar was being held captive. Problem was, where? Every corridor they chose to venture down led them to a new row of corridors. Samirah thought she might go a little stir crazy testing out each one. Why couldn't Gamorreans have signs or flashing arrows pointing to their captives? It would make her life so much easier.

The Gamorreans seemed to rely more on brute strength and that was fine by Samirah. She slipped through their clumsy attacks and would take them out quickly. After defeating a Gamorrean who was patrolling a hallway, they opened all the doors just to be safe. They came to one that wouldn't open and Samirah didn't recognize the kind of lock, which was rare. She kind of liked having a challenge every now and then but she didn't really want to mess with one today. Mission stepped up to exam it.

"Look at this! This is one of those old style manual locks. No computer codes or nothing. The sewers are the only place you'll see one of these on Taris. You can't really use conventional security spikes on these old locks."

"Can you open it, then?" Carth asked. She shot him an offended look, but smiled. He should know better.

"Can I open it? Do you know who you're talking too? I've come across them before so I've rigged up a little device that should do the trick. Jeez, Carth, don't doubt me just yet." She rolled her eyes at him and began tinkering away at the lock. Samirah covered her mouth to keep from laughing and he shot her a glare.

"What are you laughing at?" She smiled at him, still laughing.

"You seem to always underestimate people, you should know better by now." This time, he rolled his eyes. When the door popped open, Zaalbar walked up to Mission completely relaxing in her presence. He seemed more than relieved. Forgetting about everything else, Mission ran up to him and threw her arms around his waist.

"Zaalbar!"

"You're a sight for sore eyes, Mission." He roared and she smiled happily at him and you could almost feel the stress just melt away when she saw him. She hugged him tightly as the anxiety she was feeling completely vanished the moment she knew he was ok.

"I'm glad to see you too, big Z! You didn't think I'd forget about you—Mission and Zaalbar, together forever!" Samirah smiled at how much of kid she sounded like. She could act a lot older, but she just couldn't help it now. She was just too relieved.

Zaalbar finally looked up to see Carth and Samirah, watching them. For a moment, he seemed hesitant at the new comers. He remembered them from the Cantina—barely—and wasn't sure what he thought of them yet.

"Mission, who's that with you?" He asked.

"These are my new friends, big Z. Without them, I never could have gotten you out!"

"It's good to see you again, Zaalbar. My name is Samirah Alda, at your service. Glad to see you safe again." She smiled happily at him who seemed surprised by her response and as the information settled on his mind, he nodded.

"You know the language of my people? That is rare among your species; I am impressed. You have even saved me from a life of servitude and slavery. There is only one way that I know of that can ever possibly serve as payment for such a debt. I will swear a life debt to you."Mission's eyes widened when she looked at him. Samirah's smile fell as she gaped.

"I'm sorry, what? You want to do what?" Samirah asked, completely taken by surprise. A Wookiee life debt? Surely she misheard him. Surely he had meant something else. Something not as important and drastic like a life debt.

"Zaalbar, are you sure? A life debt? That's pretty serious." He nodded, looking back at the startled Samirah.

"I am sure, Mission. This is an issue of great importance to me. Because of our great physical strength, Wookiees are being used as slave labor on our own home world. When the Gamorreans had captured me… I feared I was doomed to a life of slavery and solitude. You have saved me from such a life, from that fate. A life debt is the only payment."

Samirah wanted to speak but couldn't find her words. Carth wasn't exactly sure what was going on but it had to be something serious if Samirah, of all people, was speechless. Mission spoke up, looking pointedly at Samirah.

"Do you know what this means? A Wookiee swearing a life debt to you?" Samirah swallowed before looking at Mission, a little worried. She hoped she was wrong.

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?" Please tell me I'm wrong, please. Mission nodded.

"It's the most solemn vow a Wookiee can make! It means he'll stay by your side for the rest of your life—wherever you go, whatever you do, Zaalbar will be with you." Samirah stared at Zaalbar in shock. Mission could have phrased that a little better… it sounded like he was going to be her personal attendant or something—like a bodyguard.

Wonderful.

"Are you sure? Are you sure you want to pledge this vow to me? Make sure that this is something you really want to do, Zaalbar." He nodded and without waiting for another word, spoke.

"In the presence of you all I swear my life debt. Forever after I will be by your side, Samirah Alda. May my vow be as strong as the roots of the great Wroshyr trees of Kashyyyk."

"I-I-I'm honored to… a-accept this vow…" She stammered before she was able to smile, still overcome by the event and Carth felt a little out of the loop. He pledged a life debt to her?

Well, Samirah wasn't sure what to do at this point. She had planned on going back to her scouting after all of this and she had never had a companion before so… a change for the better? Maybe some outside opinions would be good for her. Well, one thing was for sure, if she ever got into trouble—she had a Wookiee on her side.

"So, I guess you're stuck with me too since I go where Zaalbar goes. I'm not about to lose him again." Samirah laughed softly. Okay, maybe more than just a Wookiee for back-up. She was sure that Mission would be ready to take on an army if she wanted. She only hoped they would be okay with traveling a lot. Mission was a good kid and very handy so maybe she would be a great asset to her adventures.

"Well, then I'm glad to have you along too Mission. We'll make a party of it all."

"So, I guess I still owe you one secret path into the Vulkar base. That was the deal, wasn't it?" Samirah smiled, happy to be moving on to the grander plan. Saving Bastila. They started moving down the hall as she spoke, looking around. Zaalbar opened a nearby lockbox to find all of his belongings and began to equip himself with everything the Gamorreans had taken from him.

"Don't you worry; I know a backdoor into that scum den!" Samirah nodded, still a little stunned but happy to be moving again. She was ready to get out of the sewer and get to rescuing Bastila.

"Fantastic, the sooner we get there the better. I'm ready to get out of here. I'm done with all these close calls today." Carth grunted and she glared at him. She didn't need his sarcastic remarks right now.

He kept his mouth shut. He wasn't going to try and start anything. He wanted to get out of there just as much as she did so he would try and keep quiet. Mission laughed to herself, oblivious to they exchange.

"I better come with you—the Vulkars put up a force shield to keep the sewer dwellers out. I'm one of the only non-Vulkars on Taris who can get you past it. I can't remember exactly how to get there, but I know it was somewhere here in the sewers." They made a turn, hopefully heading in the right direction. "If I remember right, it should be over to the northeast. I just hope the rancor monster isn't still there." Samirah stopped in her tracks her hands thrown in front of her. Carth had to skid to a halt to avoid slamming into her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Nobody said anything about a rancor monster! Those things are—no. There has to be another way in. No, no and no!" Mission sighed and Samirah frowned. "Really? No other way in?"

"Nope, it's the only way without waltzing through the front door." Samirah glanced at Carth, her initial idea on the tip of her tongue. He shot her a look of disbelief before shaking his head no. Of course that was out of the question. Was she crazy? She sighed. There went plan B. "Well, it is pretty huge but luckily they aren't very bright. I was able to sneak past it before so we should be good to go… unless you want to change your mind…" She looked back at Samirah, who sighed dejectedly.

"Unfortunately… that's not really an option. I need to get into that base… and if a rancor's standing in my way… well, then we better take him down. Let's go." Mission smiled excitedly as they headed down through the sewers.

"Okay, then we're off! Like I said, somewhere to the south-east. Just look for the force field and we have our target."

"Wait, I thought you said it was the northeast?" Samirah asked nervously. Carth pinched the bridge of his nose trying to chase away the pent up uneasiness he was feeling. For Edge's sake…

"Oh, right, I did? Oh, well… we'll find it! Then I'll know for sure." Samirah laughed nervously to herself… they weren't going to get out of here anytime soon. If she was that kind of person, she was laugh a little hysterically. She felt like it.

They occasionally found a rakghoul or two who would fight them and even Gamorrean slavers who tried to fight them off and capture Zaalbar again, but Samirah would have none of it. A couple of times, a whiff of something came to their noses that made Samirah scrunch up her nose. She wasn't sure what it was and she just assumed it was the sewer… or the Gamorreans themselves but she didn't really want to find out. Again, something she tried to avoid.

They were about to turn a corner when Mission couldn't take it anymore. She apparently knew where this in particular smell was originating from.

"Zaalbar, we have to do something about your breath… it's worse than usual which I didn't even think possible. What did those Gamorreans feed you?"

"They didn't. I wasn't their guest, Mission, I was their prisoner. They fed me nothing." He roared and both Samirah and Mission grimaced.

"Oh, Zaalbar, that's terrible! I know how grumpy you get when you don't eat you eight square meals a day. I'm surprised you didn't pass out from hunger." He scratched his head as she shook hers. Samirah grimaced. Eight square meals a day? If she took Zaalbar on her adventures… he would eat all of her storage before they even made it to their destination.

Eight square meals …a day. Fabulous.

"Well, I did manage to bite a chunk out of one of the guards who wondered too close… but I spat it out just as quick. He didn't taste good at all…" Both Samirah and Mission looked back at him in horror. Carth wasn't sure what he was missing so Samirah filled him in as Mission continued.

"Ewww, that's disgusting Zaalbar! They smell like bantha poo-doo! We need to get you a toothbrush and fast!" He roared in disagreement, offended.

"Wookiees do not brush their teeth! It just isn't done! What next, Mission? A comb?" He shivered at the thought and both Samirah and Mission glanced at each other. Samirah smiled kindly at him, or at least the best she could without scrunching her face up. The sewers were bad but mixed with his breath… well… there was no comparison.

A comb wasn't a bad idea. Neither was the toothbrush but she knew Wookiees all too well. They weren't exactly keen on the idea.

"It's ok, Zaalbar. We won't do such a thing." He huffed but nodded his thanks to her.

"Then let us continue. I will walk behind you if that is what is required." He commented and Samirah felt bad suddenly. She didn't want to make him do something like that… it almost made it seem like a degrading gesture.

"No, no, you walk where you want. We won't complain, honest." She looked pointedly at Carth and Mission who nodded grudgingly but agreed. He turned and walked on as they ran to catch up, Mission taking the lead again.

They went through door after door taking one wrong turn after the next. They even had the unfortunate luck of running into a nest of hungry Rakghouls. A nest that Samirah tossed a grenade into before ducking and taking cover as the blast wiped them out. She stuck her head up and grimaced at the remnants of what used to be Rakghouls. Limbs were scattered around the room and a body were twitch before falling limp.

Samirah shot the bodies that she questioned just for extra measure. She didn't want any surprises.

She got more and more stressed as they came across more and more Gamorreans. Were they even going the right way? Were they anywhere near the base? Had they made a wrong turn? They wouldn't even know if they had until the exited the sewers. As time ticked away, she became more and more nervous. Mission said she knew the way… but did she really? Sure, she was pretty sure Mission could get them inside… once they found the right door. Leading up to that point? That was still up for debate.

Finally, they opened one last door, Samirah's blaster already pointed at whoever was on the other side. As the guard had said—Shoot first, ask question later. She didn't have time for petty creatures. She was on a time constraint.

When the doors opened, Samirah was ready to leap with joy when she saw a blue force field blocking their way.

"Oh, thank the stars!" She breathed before approaching a computer console, searching through for a way to bring the force field down. She typed away, her eyes focused on the terminal. She searched through the files and commands looking for the right one. Mission shook her head.

"You won't be able to get that computer to lower down the shields unless you have the proper codes and trying to hack it would take too long." Samirah furrowed her brow. It would take a decent amount of time to hack and she was sure she could do it, but she smiled at Mission who seemed to be ready to burst. She knew how to get by it.

"And let me guess, you've got the codes we need?" She said with a smirk. Mission nodded slowly, so proud of herself.

"Oh yeah. Let's just say that a certain black Vulkar had a little too much to drink in the cantina and I may have been able to pickpocket the codes right off him. If you would…" Samirah smiled before backing away from the console and gesturing for Mission to go right ahead.

She stepped up and began typing away and after about a few seconds, the force field flickered before disappearing. Samirah clasped her hands and hopped up and down out of joy. Carth was surprised at how quickly she had turned from being a fearless fighter to an excited child. It was like the flip of a switch. How did she do it?

She hurried down the hallway with everyone falling behind her as she and Mission led the way down the sewers. She didn't waste much time on the Gamorreans or the Rakghouls she came across. She was a step closer to getting to the accelerator and to Bastila. When they came across a droid, she tilted her head in curiosity.

"What's a droid doing down here? Did the Vulkars place it here?" Everyone kind of just shrugged, not really sure what to make of it.

As it traveled around the room slowly, they started to walk by it. The moment they entered its sights, it began shooting and Samirah barely had time to pull her vibroblade out to block a shot to her shoulder.

"Hey!" She shouted a little perturbed.

They immediately began shooting at it as Samirah tried to dismember the machine. It just fired mindlessly and would begin twitching here and there. Obviously a malfunctioning droid since its aim would—well, technically, it didn't aim at all. When it finally couldn't take anymore, it crashed, smashing against the sewer floor. Pieces flew in every direction and sparks showered the floor. Samirah walked up to it with an aggravated expression before kicking it.

"Stupid malfunctioning demon droid…" Carth looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Demon droid…?" She looked at him with a meek smile, shrugging.

"What? I can't help it if the things possessed. I always wondered about malfunctioning droids… I one day came to the conclusion that they were just demonic machines. It was an idea I got from Chorax. I met this real shady guy there who had this droid and when I approached him—"She stopped short before her cheeks got a little pink. A feat—Carth noticed—that she hadn't done in a while. It reminded him how she hadn't really changed all that much since first meeting her. Actually, he was just getting to know her better. She turned to them with this big smile.

"Uh… how about we just keep going?" She laughed nervously to herself. As they kept going, Carth looked pointedly at her and she tried to pretend not to notice. When he didn't let up, she sighed. "What?"

"Why didn't you finish your story?" She pursed her lips, keeping her eyes ahead of them. Mission and Zaalbar had taken the lead as she and Carth walked behind.

"Well, we don't exactly have time for me to start reminiscing about my old adventures. Besides, I might start to babble and I'd hate to take up too much time." He laughed.

"What? So you don't want to talk about your past?" A mischievous grin spread across her face when she finally looked up at him.

"Reminds you of someone, doesn't it?" He stopped smiling as he realized she was talking about him. He looked ahead with a sour expression on his face and she couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come on. You know it's true." He had started to retort something when Mission stopped up ahead. They were at a door and a mangled body lay against it.

Samirah pushed through until she was kneeling next to him, her mood instantly changing. She checked his belongings until she found a data pad and some vials. She began searching through the pad as Mission shivered.

"He didn't have much of anything on him last time I checked." Mission stated. "I didn't know what those vials were either but either way… we're here." Carth raised an eyebrow, unsure what she meant. Samirah suddenly stood up as she read the last bit of the datapad before looking up at the door.

"The Rancor monster."

Mission nodded. Samirah pocketed the datapad and looked at the vials in her hand. Carth watched as her expression changed. She was in deep thought.

The vials she held in her hand were synthesized odors; an odor that the Rancor monster is very fond of. The datapad mentioned something about luring the Rancor to something that would kill him if he ate it. The alien that lay before them had died before he could figure out what… or before he could record his plan. Samirah stood by the door, looking straight it.

What if… what about…and then…

Her mind flashed back to when she stuffed the grenade into the Rakghouls mouth but there was no way she was going to be able to get close enough to the Rancor to do the same thing—forget being able to, she didn't want anywhere near the creature. Mission had said it was huge. How huge?

Slowly, Samirah opened the door and Carth looked alarmed.

"What are you—"Mission covered his mouth as Samirah stealthily peered into the colossal room. Her eyes widened when she saw the creature, standing at the far end of the room. It was huge after all. It was a wonder how it even managed to get inside, forget that—how did it survive?

She glanced around the room until she gasped at a mound of bodies. Some only skeletons but others still flesh and blood—probably dead for a few days, none the less. The gears in her head began running. And then the pieces fell together. She turned to them, working out the final pieces in her head and she could only pray it worked… everything had to be timed perfectly. The smallest mistake and they would be fighting the Rancor to get inside. A fight she didn't want any part of—that creature could take any one of them out in a single swipe.

"Samirah…" Carth said slowly, his voice sounding weary. He wasn't exactly sure he wanted to know what she was thinking and he debated whether or not he wanted to ask. She looked up at him and not giving him the chance to decide, spoke.

"Stay here." With that, she spun around and using her stealth skills she had also picked up on Chorax, she quietly moved across the room. It was a sound dampening belt that reduced the amount of noise she made and almost made it seem like she was never there. It was like she was invisible—nearly. The Rancor wasn't even looking at her as he messed with a mangled body she hoped she didn't know. He flung it around like a rag doll for whatever reason before tossing it aside and moving onto a new specimen.

Her eyes never left the monster as she moved, blending in to the wall and out of his sight, inching ever so close to the bodies. The lights flickered, casting shadows she used to her advantage. When she approached the bodies, she knelt down, wrinkling her nose and trying hard not to sniff the bodies. She moved a body as she opened a pack and dumped the vials all out on the body.

The Rancor reared his head as the scent reached his nose and she froze, trying to time it perfectly. She had the three grenades in her hand—three, just for extra measure— ready to place. If she placed the grenades on the body too soon, they'd go off before the monster ate the bodies. Too late and she wouldn't be able to get away. As he began marching in her direction she waited a few more seconds before stuffing the grenades in the pockets of the odorous body.

She tried to move as quickly and yet as inconspicuously as she possibly could, to avoid his detection. An opened vial fell from her belt and rolled slowly away from her. When it moved its head to stare at her, she froze.

Damn it, there's no way!

How stupid of her to keep the vials with her. It was a force of habit that she put them back in her belt. She didn't like leaving evidence. It sniffed in her direction and started to head for her and she was filled with terror before the overwhelming scent from the bodies drew it back towards them. It couldn't resist the more alluring aroma. The Rancor swiped its hand down, picking up a handful of bodies and stuffing them in its mouth. Samirah watched as one grenade fell out of the pocket and rolled in her direction and she didn't dare move— not until the other two grenades went off.

It swallowed and then turned to look at her, marching in her direction.

Wait! The grenades… don't tell me they didn't—

Suddenly the monster roared as an explosion erupted inside his stomach. The grenade in front of her set off and she ducked covering her head. The explosion rang in her ears and she opened her mouth wide to let out a small cry but no sound came out. The Rancor monster roared again as the second grenade exploded and he fell over, thrashing about before it finally fell limp, its eyes still open.

Samirah didn't even hear the others run over to her until Carth was in her face, saying something but she couldn't hear a word. He shook her shoulders and she winced as her ears simply rang until they finally started to dim. It was like being submerged in water and then being pulled out.

"—irah! Samirah! Hey! What the hell were you thinking? Samirah! Oh for edge's sake…" He shouted. Mission looked at her with wide eyes.

"You killed the Rancor monster! I didn't think it was possible!" Samirah blinked several times before she looked at Carth.

"I'm fine… I'm fine…" She said it more to herself then to him. When the Rancor started to come for her… she felt like that was the end. She had never been so afraid. Not even when she was on Chorax and that was when that Verpine scoundrel had emerged with friends after she insulted his starship—which you didn't insult the Verpine's starship. Not when they were geniuses with high-tech devices. They were brilliant when it came to that sort of thing.

It wasn't her fault though—she had gotten so mad when he had begun to insult this woman at the Cantina. Samirah could only take so much before she had to stand up for the poor woman. The woman was too scared to stand up for herself and she could see why. Not very many people had the guts to stand up to five thugs with blasters—only it wasn't guts that had Samirah back talking them. To be honest, it was stupid, but nonetheless, she was able to get out of the situation with a little help.

After a few more moments and a sip of water—which was hard to drink with the smells and dead bodies around—she finally was ready to go.

"Alright… let's get inside this Vulkar base and get that swoop engine prototype… right now, that's the only obstacle between us and Bastila." Carth shook his head incredulously.

"How is it you still have the strength to keep going? After all these close calls you keep having… it's a wonder you're still alive to tell about them." She laughed shakily as she stood.

"If I could… I would tell you but it seems I have a stupid amount of luck on my side." She walked past the Rancor, barely sparing a look at it, shuddering at its lifeless eyes that watched her from afar. Zaalbar, Mission and Carth fell in step behind her as they approached the door. Samirah spliced it open to find herself face to face with two Vulkars.

Without sparing a second, the fight ensued. Moments later it was open and they snuck in. They found themselves in a maze like base and would open a door to find a room full of Vulkars, relaxing until they realized she wasn't a waitress to bring them more drinks. One by one, they all fell as Samirah and the group dispatched each one. They eventually found a servant girl who cowered in a corner, begging for her life. She was holding a silver tray up in hopes that it would conceal her.

Samirah cautiously approached, convincing the woman that she was no one to fear and that they only searched for a prototype engine—and a woman named Bastila. The servant girl didn't know anything about the engine but said that the Republic officer was probably who Samirah sought after and that Brejik didn't trust his men around her so she was elsewhere. She said it like she was jealous of the security Bastila had been given. When she finished, Samirah quickly told her to leave as long as she knew her way out.

"Really? You-you're going to let me live? Just like that? Thank you! Thank you! I-I have to get out of here before the Vulkars find out! Thank you!" she dropped her tray and ran out the door, quickly leaving the premises.

Did Samirah look like a killer or something? Why would she kill the servant? Perhaps living with the Vulkars makes you scared to trust anyone. Speaking of trust, she glanced at Carth as he checked one of the Vulkar bodies, finding nothing much other than an elevator key card. When he stood, he became aware of her gaze and glanced at her.

She knew better than to just look away, so she looked at the key card instead.

"…That may be what we need…" She said before moving along without so much as another word. They opened just about every door, searching every room and practically clearing out the base of Vulkars. Boy would Gadon be happy to find out he had a couple less Vulkars to worry about—or a base empty of them.

They found one particular Vulkar who dropped to his knees in front of them after Samirah had injured his arm.

"Please! Stop! I surrender!" the Twi'lek shouted and Samirah faltered in her movements awkwardly. She stumbled, halting the attack she had been about the use. She actually almost fell and had to do some quick moving to keep from falling. Carth gave her a strange look as she frowned.

"I-I'm sorry, did you say surrender?" She asked a little more than surprised. He nodded. "I didn't know that was in the Vulkar vocabulary list."

"I know better than those others." He said. "I knew what it meant to be a Vulkar. That was long before Brejik had taken over as leader. I used to be a high ranking officer and now look what I've become… is this really anything? I'm really nothing now… Brejik has me guarding… a storeroom! It's degrading what I've become… This is not what it's supposed to be… this is not what the Vulkars were created for." She scrunched up her face, not really following.

"Then leave. Why stay any longer as a Vulkar if you've lost the honor and purpose it was originally created for?" He laughed dryly.

"Because he would hunt down any traitors… even though he is the true traitor to have betrayed Gadon Thek." Samirah leaned on her vibroblade, blowing on a strand of hair that fell in her face. He looked up at her, a little hesitantly. "So… where does this leave us now?"

"Where's the prototype engine?" She asked directly and he smiled. Of course.

"Of course, that's what you're here for. I would tell you if I knew… but Brejik doesn't trust us with that kind of information, though…at least not people like me." He thought for a second. "If anywhere, I would check the garage, that's where we keep our swoop bikes and I'm sure the engine wouldn't be too far from them. They would have to install it for the race." She nodded with a smile forming on his face. She was close. He swallowed nervously and she laughed softly.

"Calm down, no need to feel nervous, I'm not going to kill you." He looked at her, just slightly surprised and Carth gaped at her.

"That's… awfully generous of you… and very trusting. What's to stop him from turning you in to Brejik and the rest in an attempt to get a higher rank?" Carth countered. The Twi'leks eyes grew large before he looked at Samirah like the idea would be enough for her to murder him. Instead, she was frowning at Carth.

"I don't kill needlessly and I trust him. His words sound… truthful to me. I would like to think I would know if he was lying." Carth rolled his eyes. "Listen Carth, I know you don't trust people and you're prepared for them to betray you at the drop of a hat but I'm not like that. I can't live like that. Without trust, well, then you have a depressing life ahead of you. So no, I'm not going to kill him." She turned back to the Vulkar and held her hand out. He hesitantly took it and she helped him up.

"Now, you get out of her and live. Don't worry about flyboy over there, he won't do a thing—I swear it." She glared at Carth as if to dare him to test her. She wouldn't hesitate to tackle him. The Twi'lek thanked her graciously.

"Thanks, thanks a lot! And don't worry; I won't cause you any trouble on the way out. In fact, I sincerely hope that you take Brejik and his Vulkars down." He rushed past them, glancing nervously at Carth as he hurried out the door and away from the base.

When he was gone, Carth looked pointedly at her. She simply ignored him and walked past him.

"Samirah—"She spun around on him and stared straight into his eyes, making sure he understood what she was about to say. She didn't have time to deal with his insecurities and issues.

"—Not now, Carth. It's not my fault you don't trust easy so give it a rest for now because for once, I'm too damn tired to fight about this. So… stuff it!" She fumed before she turned again and walked away leaving Mission and Zaalbar looking a bit surprised. Mission turned to see Carth frowning.

"Geez, Carth, what'd you do to her?" Mission wondered and he sighed.

"It's a bit of a long story, Mission… a long story indeed." He rubbed his face before all three of them chased after her.

They checked door after door and even found the elevator that required the key card. They found themselves in the garage and immediately sought for the engine. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, they found themselves fighting the garage head and his lackeys. Samirah programmed an assault droid to help them do a little bit of the work for them as it went on a patrol and took care of the stragglers. Samirah even resulted to hacking a computer terminal and smiling with relief as she successfully found the right room, containing the engine.

When they stood in front of the door, Mission began splicing it open as Samirah readied her weapons. Zaalbar mumbled something but she wasn't paying attention. Her eyes were focused solely on the door. Carth's blasters were ready as the doors opened up. Two Twi'leks stood by a table, hovering over some plans and looked up as the door opened. The male looked up and smiled not exactly in surprise.

"Well, well, looks like we have visitors." He stood up straight, smiling deviously at them. "Gadon Thek had you come all the way out here to steal our engine?" He feigned shock that only disgusted Mission.

"Brejik stole that engine from Gadon! It was never yours to begin with!"

"Well, I didn't go through all the trouble just to have you steal it back. No, no, no. That isn't how that's going to happen." His eyes fell on Samirah as he examined her from where he stood. The woman next to him spoke directly to him.

"Shall I kill them, Kandon?" She spoke with an alluring voice as if she hadn't been allowed to kill in a while—like it was some sort of drug to her. He raised a hand to her to stop her from speaking as he smiled.

"No, no—hold that thought. You." He pointed at Samirah.

"Yes? What about me?" She asked cautiously. She was pretty sure she didn't recognize him from somewhere… Not Trandosha, certainly not. Chorax? "You don't wear the Bek colors and you're definitely not a Vulkar, so you don't belong to either."

She glared at him. In all the planets she had been too, she had never been insulted, degraded and taken for a fool as many times as she had while on Taris. So, she wasn't used to being angry this many time before. No one believed she belonged to neither the Sith nor the Republic. She didn't belong to the Vulkars or the Beks. So what? Did she look like a lost dog without a home?

And for that matter, why didn't they ever point to Carth and say you don't look like a pilot or something like that. Why was it always her?

"No, I'm not a Bek. I'm not a Vulkar. Though I doubt that seriously has to do with anything." He smiled.

"Really? You could work for us. Become a Vulkar where your abilities will become—"

"—Listen, even if I wasn't doing favors for Gadon, I wouldn't join up with you. You're petty little gang has killed more people than I can stomach and I really wish you would just hand over the engine so that we don't have to do this. I like to avoid conflict if possible."

"Why? You think we'd just hand it over." She sighed deeply.

"I'd really hate to have to kill you, I'm sure you could be a nice—well, maybe that's a little too optimistic." She swung her blade around as if it was a signal that she was done talking and he clicked his tongue.

"What a shame." The woman tugged on his sleeve as she pulled out her blaster.

"Now? Can I please kill them?" It was like she couldn't survive much longer without killing someone. He nodded as he and the two guards behind them pulled out blasters.

Samirah tossed a grenade between them and when it exploded they were backed up against a wall, trying to keep their bearings. She ran straight for the two bodyguards in the back with Mission. Zaalbar and Carth fired from where they stood and when Kandon and the woman regained composure, they fired back. Samirah and Mission dispatched the two guards in moments before turning their sights on the frustrated two Twi'leks.

Mission charged up to the woman who managed to see her coming and fired, nicking her shoulder. When Mission gasped from the wound, Samirah's eyes narrowed as she closed the gap between them. She fought the woman like Carth had never seen Samirah fight before. Sure, she was an excellent fighter but… had she had training before? It was unreal the ability she had. She wielded her vibroblade with such skill, it was a wonder she was still an ensign.

Samirah slid her blade through the girl's abdomen before yanking it out as she fell limply on the ground. She gasped as she tried to breathe before Samirah landed a swift kick to the side of her head. She didn't check to see if she was still breathing before turning to Kandon who had brought out a blade of his own. They fought with their swords clashing and Carth couldn't get a clear shot in. He was too worried that he might nick Samirah instead of Kandon.

She wasn't about to give in to him and the moment she saw the opening in his defense, she took the shot. She thrusted her blade into his shoulder blade, pinning him to a wall before yanking it out roughly. She then thrusted it into his abdomen and his eyes went wide before a small smirk emerged on his lips.

"…You would… have made… a fine member…" He breathed. Infuriated by his comment, she yanked the sword out as roughly as she could before he fell limply to the ground. She stared at his motionless body.

A fine member? No. She wouldn't have. She was nothing like them. She wasn't a cold blooded killer. She killed them because they were out to kill her. She wasn't meant to be like them.

"I'm nothing like you…" She spoke out loud without realizing it and Carth glanced at her, not really catching what she said. What was wrong with her now?

When she glanced around she saw that they all lay motionless on the ground and Samirah took a deep breath. She had really hoped that she didn't have to fight them. She didn't want to kill anyone. She stepped over them and up to the engine that was lying on a counter, gingerly picking it up. She had it. The item she needed to get to Bastila and she was so stoked, nothing could ruin it.

Except Mission moaning in pain. Zaalbar picked her up and carried her as they used a med pack to keep her conscious and to keep her from feeling pain, for now. They would have to see Zelka later, just to be safe.

They hurried out of the Base, using the front door to get out this time, not bothering to back track through the sewer. She didn't want to have to go through all that again. Samirah was so ready to put this in Gadon's hands that she didn't even pause when they opened the Vulkar base doors and where met by a few guards. She and Carth fired at them while Zaalbar carried Mission.

They had startled the Vulkars enough to finish them off before they could even fire a shot off at them. They were hardly a threat but Samirah wasn't about to let her guard up for them, not when Mission was already injured.

In no time, they entered the Bek base and she walked straight towards Gadon who looked startled at her arrival. Zaalbar walked on as a few other Beks came to help him get Mission to some medical treatment. Samirah made sure they were ok before approaching Gadon whose eyes were still focused on her. He could hardly believe it.

"Do you have it?" She placed it in front of him and he sighed in relief as he hesitantly reached out to touch. Just to make sure it was real. "I had begun to wonder whether or not you'd make it back… the race is tomorrow and we need all the time we can get."

"Don't worry. I have the engine, Gadon, just like I promised. Will I still be able to race?" She asked softly, the exhaustion reaching her as she spoke. She wasn't angry, just hopeful that he wouldn't back down from his end of the deal. He laughed to himself.

"Don't you worry, I'm a man of my word. You can still ride under the Hidden Bek banner and with the prototype. If you can complete the track before it overheats, then you'll win for the Beks. If you don't… and it explodes… well then, another racer of ours could still come through." Samirah laughed nervously. She hoped he wasn't planning on the bike to overheat but at least he had a backup plan. Carth was speechless. Surely Samirah wouldn't agree—then again, who knew. Samirah was all about taking risks.

"Sounds like you have all your bases covered, but I'm fairly certain I'll come through for you." He smiled.

"Of course. Now, you can stay here the night. The mechanics need time to install the accelerator on the engine, so you won't be able to practice your riding." He seemed a little concerned about the idea and Carth thought of something at the mention of practice.

"Have you even ever ridden a swoop bike?" He asked suddenly with a curious tone. She nodded and the all too familiar blush came to her cheeks.

"A couple of times when I had visited Nar Shaddaa… of course, it wasn't a circumstance of my choosing and I do remember—" She shut her mouth up and smiled at Gadon. "No worries though, I have experience so rest assured, I'll win." He smiled and nodded in approval before a few Beks escorted them to a room and brought them food.

The moment they were inside and had finished eating— they hadn't realized how hungry they had been—she leaned against the wall and sat down, leaning her head back. She'd nearly been killed in an explosion, turned to a Rakghoul and eaten by a Rancor. All in a day's work she supposed. She couldn't ever remember being in so much trouble at the same time. Not even on Nar Shaddaa. If there had ever been a place for her to get in trouble at, it would have been Nar Shaddaa.

Carth sat down on the end of the bed rubbing his eyes, obviously tired. Samirah shakily stood, walking to the refresher before looking back at Carth.

"Do you mind if… I go first?" He nodded his head, a smile at his lips. She was asking him? Was he so bad that she had to ask his permission to do things? He didn't think he was that bad.

After several moments, she came out from a shower and in a new set of clothes that the Beks had provided. She was just happy that she was clean and no longer smelled like the sewers and whatever else was on her clothes. Carth then took that as his queue to freshen up himself.

As he did, Samirah sat in the corner of the room, laying down a pillow and the extra blanket the Beks had brought her. She fluffed the pillow and snuggled into the corner of the wall. As she settled in, Carth emerged in his own fresh set of clothes. When he saw her settling in, he gave her a weird look.

"What?" He sat on the end of the bed, not really lying down.

"Well, I feel guilty letting you sleep on the floor. Isn't there some rule about letting women have the bed and the men have the floor?" She laughed.

"No, and if there is, that's pretty messed up. I told you before, it's a habit now. It's just… the life I've been accustomed too." She said meekly. She bit the side of her lip as she sat in the corner. Why was he trying to be nice now? After all… he accused her of killing everyone aboard the Endar Spire. So why, after all that, was he acting… nice, for lack of a better word.

He seemed to notice her change in attitude.

"What? You look like you're debating whether or not you want to say something… I know that look. You tend to have that look an awful lot now. What did I say this time?" She glanced at him before taking a deep breath. She had a feeling she would regret this.

"What am I, an open book to you now?" She mused out loud before talking to him. "I just want to talk with you, if you'll allow it. Some things just don't add up anymore." His face fell like that wasn't what he wanted to hear. What did he think she wanted to say? Oh, hey, I almost died today… a couple times actually, but that's ok. I was glad you were there to contradict every decision I made? Wish me luck tomorrow, maybe I won't explode. Well, good night.

Yeah. That about summed it all up.

"Oh, you want to argue some more, is that it?" He said automatically and bitterly. She smiled at his tone. How quickly his mood changed. She should expect this by now…

"You should know… I'm always up for a good fight. Haven't you noticed that yet?" She said jokingly in an attempt to keep from a fight. He just laughed softly.

"Ha, can't say I've ever met a woman quite like you before. You're really something... it's like your testing your water with me…" In a way… she kind of was. She looked at him seriously this time but also sincerely. She really wanted to work this all out.

"I don't want to argue with you, but instead, I want to know why you distrust me so much… I just want to understand… is that… so much?" He took a deep breath, sensing a long conversation ahead of them.

"I don't want to argue with you either... I mean, you seem sincere and all but I… I just don't trust easily, and for good reasons… which are my own." She put her elbow on her leg and her forehead against her fingers trying to make him understand where she was coming from. She was tired and exhausted but she wasn't about to let this one go.

"But we have to work together, Carth. So it has plenty to do with me! How can I rely on you if you don't trust me at all?" He let out a frustrated sound, rubbing his face for the fifteenth time.

"Ahhh, damn it! I suppose I won't get any rest until I talk, will I?" He stared at her with a tired expression and no matter how sore she was, she still smiled at him.

"Not a wink." He sighed before making sure he was comfortable before beginning.

"You want to know why I don't trust anyone? Fine. I'll tell you. Five years ago the Jedi had just finished the war with the Mandalorians. Revan and Malak were heroes. I was damn proud to have served in their fleet. It was… completely unexpected when they turned on us, invading the Republic while we were still weak." Carth remembered it all happening again, waking up and getting the call about the invasion… and who was behind it all. It had nearly torn him apart. He was confused. Conflicted. Distraught.

Hurt.

"Nobody… knew what to think… least of all… me. Our… our heroes, the people we believed in… had become brutal¸ conquering Sith… and we were all but helpless before them. Think about it… if you can't even trust the best of the Jedi, who can you trust?" he had said the question more to himself than to her.

But that didn't stop her from thinking. She never let anyone in… or at least the ones she had allowed herself to trust, ended up leaving for one reason or another. They didn't like traveling as much as she did, they fell in with a different crowd—with each person, it was a different reason. It was different than being betrayed though. For Carth not to trust anyone because… of the two heroes everyone admired—

"Then… but wait, what do I have to do with Revan and Malak?" She shook her head, not following. She wasn't a Jedi. She wasn't a Sith. So what? She knew she didn't belong… she didn't belong anywhere apparently. It was the price of being a Scout. You fit better with thugs and scoundrels and even then… they weren't really the best company. Especially in a drunken stupor. Then, well, they were just plain idiots with a glass in their hand. A dangerous thing.

He shook his head, trying to find a way to make it make sense.

"It… it's not that. It's… that's not what I mean. There… there were others. Good, solid, trusted men who joined them. Malak and Revan and the Sith deserve to die for what they've done… but the ones who fled the Republic and joined them are even worse. Think about it… to fight for a cause and then leave to defy the very thing you used to stand for… And the dark side has nothing to do with why they joined with the Sith so they have no excuse. They deserve… no mercy!" He spat the words out, sounding more vicious then he intended.

She flinched at the ferocity of his words, shivering at how cold they seemed. Was he comparing her to them? Why? What had she done? Was it because she was a scout and many scouts had no loyalties? No, she was loyal. Sure, she was never seen—for good reasons—but she was still loyal to the Republic, sending in information and scouting areas they were curious about, no matter the danger.

"You say it with so much hatred. But, despite all of that… I'm rather confused. You say this and then you say that, and you send me through loops and I find it so very hard to follow. I haven't joined the Sith if that's what you think and I never plan on it. Their way of life is so… corrupted and… vile." She looked at him from the corner of her eyes and repeated her point for good measure.

"Carth… I haven't joined the Sith." He breathed a sigh like he wanted to believe her. He was just finding it hard. Harder than he should and wanted, but he did.

"I know, I do and… well, I should apologize to you. I've become so accustomed to expecting the worst in others, and you've done nothing to deserve that. I know you haven't joined and… never mind." He said abruptly. "Let's just continue this later; I'd rather not talk about it… at all." He added when she opened her mouth. She narrowed her eyes.

"You're trying to wiggle your way out of the conversation that easily? When are you just going to let me in and figure out what it is you want me to do. I don't know anymore, Carth. It's like you've sent me on a wild goose chase. What will Samirah believe today? How can I confuse her now?" She mimicked in a deep voice. He just looked away, not paying her any attention.

"Samirah, don't take any of this personally, ok? I just don't want to talk about it." She rolled her eyes.

"Again, with the don't take it personally. You know what Carth—"

"—Samirah! I don't want to talk about it!"He shouted and he hadn't meant to. She jumped at his sudden outburst. First she felt surprised, then sorry, then upset and then she was glaring at him.

"Fine, you—you—you—"She couldn't bring herself to say one-eyed, egg-sucking, son of a slime devil. She even thought to say E Chu Ta! A Huttese insult she had learned… but it wasn't really appropriate to be translated so she probably shouldn't say it so that she wouldn't have to translate… because they wouldn't even tell her what it meant.

"Fine, you know what, I don't care anymore! I don't care! I'm tired of this! I'm tired of this distrust, I'm tired of always fighting, I'm tired of it, just tired! You want to have a pity party for yourself? Fine! But don't expect any more sympathy from me because you obviously don't want it! I can't figure out what you want me to do or say and I can't keep doing this! I'm not going to keep jumping through hoops just to keep you feeling secure! Do what you want!" She shouted at him, angry and hurt about his attitude towards her.

She hadn't done anything to him. She was helping him in any way that she possibly could and what did she get in return? His anger, his distrust and his constant watch on her every move, wondering if each decision would lead to her betrayal. She couldn't keep living like this. Her mentality was screaming at her to get away. She was going to go crazy trying to help Carth and yet… she knew it was the right thing.

Her mind was flipping inside and out trying to make sense of her thought process.

She took a deep breath before turning and moving back to her corner, lying down, facing the wall and covering herself up with the sheet. She needed to go to sleep. She had a race to win in the morning and she wasn't going to let his bad attitude ruin it for her. Whatever the cost, she was going to get Bastila back. With or without his cooperation.

Carth stared at her back, a permanent frown in place. Didn't she understand that there were some things he didn't want to talk about? Things that he found to be better left unsaid. He fell back against the bed and almost felt his worries roll right off into the sheets. The bed was comfortable and held the much needed sleep he had been missing. The simple act of lying down made him realize how sore he was and how exhausted he had become.

He didn't want to think about the betrayal of Revan or Malak… or even the good, honest people who had followed them into the dark side. He didn't understand the dark side, not as much as the Jedi did. They always spoke of it and personified it as a greater evil. Well, he didn't want a part of that. He didn't want to see what they saw… he saw enough evil already.

He figured he had hurt Samirah. Of course he had. She was angry and she didn't usually get angry at other people… except at him and their enemies.

He rolled over as his eyes began to droop and he slowly began to fall asleep, completely aware of the tension between him and Samirah. She, on the other hand, wasn't so blessed with easy sleep. Her hand burned slightly, even with the serum and she mildly wondered if it still hadn't taken full effect. She only had one vile left… and she was determined to get it to Zelka. She hadn't forgotten her promise. Her life to save hundreds, maybe even thousands… well, it was worth it.

Maybe it burned because she had yet to clean it. She held it up to her face before she slowly sat up. If Carth said anything then she would just try to remain neutral. Every time she got close to getting him to open up, he'd shut down and accuse her of a betrayal she had yet to do. He really didn't trust anyone. Especially her.

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a bottle of water and a med pack. She drank the entire bottle of water once she realized how thirsty she was before she began to apply the med pack to her hand. The wound didn't look as bad as it did before but it certainly didn't look pretty. She was at least a bit relieved no one had even thought to check it out. She didn't need them worrying.

When she finished, she lay back down and tried to let herself sleep… but it did not come easy. After possibly an hour of thrashing about, she finally succumbed to whatever you could call it… maybe unconsciousness? No. Not even that…

It was a dark void. It was bleak and cold with a feeling of hopelessness. It would show her flickers of events and people dying. She would see people fighting, arguing and killing. Sometimes it would be vivid and yet when she woke up all she would remember would be a word, or a sound. That was all she could hold on to.

She just stood there. She was shown visions, dreams, thoughts—she didn't know what they were. She never got a decent night's sleep because she always slipped into this empty space.

All she knew was that she wanted it to be gone. Was she the only person out there who slipped into this type of sleep or was it normal? No. It couldn't possibly be normal because she always felt… incomplete.

Maybe that wasn't the right word. She just didn't feel complete and felt alone and empty in this void.

She just wanted to be out of there. She wanted them to go away.

If she was being shown memories—they weren't hers.

If she was being shown visions—they had nothing to do with her.

If she was being shown dreams—no, she wasn't that kind of person. She didn't dream of death.

When she was like this, when she was in the void, all she could do was wait until she woke up from it. Until she was back in reality leading whatever life she had. She wanted to escape the void and be done with it.

She simply had to wait until morning. She wouldn't remember half of what she saw anyway. She simply needed to make it through the night, through the empty void.

A void of unclear images and vague sounds.


And, alas, here we are at the end of another chapter. Thanks for reading and hopefully you guys will keep reading!

Feel free to review, drop a comment or some random advice or just randomness. Anything to inspire me to continue!

Thanks guys, you are awesome! A+++ to you guys!

I should update the next chapter towards the begining of next week. Its written already, just have to proofread it first.

Again, thanks so much for reading! It makes me feel special! ^-^

Love you Guys

-SilverShards-