Chapter 12
With the battle over and the course to their new port plotted, it left some time to gather ones breath. Alone in the starboard quarters sat Mission, her knees drawn up to her chest, tears streaming down her blue face.
Skye slipped in sat on the bunk alongside the young woman. "Come here." she held the girl allowing her to simply weep. "I promise you Malak will be brought to justice for what he has done."
"I know." a meek response.
"Mission, the Beks were in the Lower city, maybe they fled to the Undercity. When the bombardment hit, you commed them right? Told them go deeper? I bet you they did; the Beks and dozens of others went lower. They'll be safe. It won't be easy down there eking out a life, but it's a life. And your friends in the Outcasts have already gone to their Promised Land. Hang on to that hope, Mission."
"I don't know how." The girl said, her heart broken. "My world is gone. Millions of lives lost for one." she shook her head. "Is Bastila's life worth so much more than all of theirs?"
Skye wanted to say that Bastila would say no. But there was a side to her that knew pragmatically and strategically, that sometimes however bitter, sacrifices needed to be made to save even more lives. Whole systems would fall if Malak captured Bastila. More worlds would share Taris's fate. "Those lives didn't fall to save Bastlia's escape; they perished due to the actions of desperate man. What Bastila can do with the Force is unique. From what I understand there are extremely few Jedi light or dark that can do it. Bastila's battle meditation can decimate whole armadas or save them. This war is to be decided with her."
"How…how can she be so powerful?"
"Morale. Much can be decided on the morale of soldiers. My job is to go behind enemy lines, infiltrate their ranks and ferret out information. But all the intelligence in the galaxy won't be a damn bit of good if your people are unable or unwilling to fight or if in the thick of it they blunder and trip up in the field or on their ships. That's what Bastila can do. She can give her allies a keener sense of their surroundings giving them greater successes in battle. She bolsters their morale to the extent they will push themselves to confront any opposition despite the odds. And do the exact opposite to her enemies. That's why Metal-Mouth wants her so badly."
What she didn't say to the woman-child still leaning in her arms, that it took a great strategist to know how to use such abilities to greater fruition. Just having the ability did not a great general make. Bastila's lacking command ability was self-evident. Of course, the young Jedi was accustomed to being controlled by the Council's will and bending knee to do their bidding without question.
"Skye, I want to stay with you, go with you when you go after that fracking bastard! Don't leave me behind on that farm planet." Mission's voice was still wavering with her tears but her anger burned brighter. All Skye did was to nod her head.
KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~ KOTOR~KOTOR~
On the screen a great ball of green hovered before them on the forward viewer. Bastila stared at it before she found her voice. It seemed as distant when she did. "Dantooine. It seems like a lifetime since I last set foot on her surface, though in truth it has only been a few months. We should be safe from Malak here, for now at least.
Incredulously Carth barked, "Safe? You saw what the Sith fleet did on Taris. There won't be a building over two stories standing!" his voice grew higher in pitch and deeper in anger. "They turned the planet into a pile of rubble."
Bastila shook her head, "Even the Sith would think twice be attacking Dantooine. They are many Jedi here, including several of the most powerful masters of the Order. There is great strength within this place."
"I agree with Bastila, Carth. We should be safe here." Skye said coming into the cockpit.
"We can get support here and recuperate. The academy is a place of mental and spiritual healing. Something we could all use after we've been on Taris." Bastila said.
"Especially Mission." Skye uttered.
"Maybe you're right. It can't be easy to witness the annihilation of an entire planet. I know Mission must be taking it pretty hard." Carth shook his head sadly recalling the destruction of his own plant of Telos.
"She will find a way to come to terms with her grief. She is stronger than she appears. We must give her time." Bastila said.
"She might be stronger than she appears Bastila, but she lost her home. Not all of us can remove themselves from emotion like a Jedi. For her there is no peace, there is only emotion. Raw emotion."
"I never said…" the younger woman sighed, "I didn't expect her not to grieve, Skye or to belittle her pain. She can find strength in her grief. I know you think I don't understand. I may have lived a sheltered life within the cloisters of the temple, but I am not so far removed that I do not understand what others feel, their pain and losses. The Force cries out in the deaths of Taris and I can feel them."
Regret flashed the Nagai's face, "I apologize for the assumption." she said humbly.
The Jedi nodded. "You are protective of her. It is natural you rise to her defence and watch over her."
"Speaking of watching over someone, how are our other guests doing?" Carth said drawing attention away from the tension of the moment.
"Better off than Mission. Zaalbar is a might upset because Mission is, but he's not as devastated. Canderous just sees the military might of things; his juices are flowing for a good fight. And the former slaves are coping fairly well. I had to sedate the younger sister Avid'ar as I did with Mission. They both should waken by the time we land."
"What of the girls you rescued, you just going to dump them off here?" Carth pressed the question.
"Actually, I was hoping that Bastila could help them out. This enclave employs staff that are non-Jedi, right? I wasn't kidding when I said what those two can do with their massage oils. Even if they don't open a true massage parlour their oils can be beneficial, even to the farmers around here."
"I'll make an inquiry, but I may be unable to do any more than that." The Jedi answered. "But I will make an attempt. On a similar note, I must speak with the Masters about current events. There are things they must be made aware of if they are not already. After we land, please remain within the landing port until I return for you."
"No problem." Skye nodded. "While we're waiting, I'll see if I can't find someone to detail the ship. Synthesizer rations, MREs and the digestive track of a Wookie are not a good combination. I don't think the refresher had to work so hard since its first instalment."
Both Carth and Bastila made a face imagining the state Zaalbar had left things.
"Yeah, no kidding, right? Good thing it's sonic or we'd be in a real…er…. never mind." Carth shuddered. Sometimes he wished there was something as a good mental flossing. There were some images that formed a melange able to stick around in one's head that you couldn't unsee or unimagine despite how many times you wished for it. This was one of them.
Of course, the Force could sew such a thing but that was going a bit overboard. It was one thing to do a memory wipe on a droid; it was a whole new kettle of fish to do it to a sentient being. Yeah, considering the alterative, the image of Zaalbar and a ruined refresher was a better than the alterative of being an amnesiac because of the Force.
KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~ KOTOR~KOTOR~
Not for the first time since entering the enclosure of the Enclave did Bastila wish for her traditional robes. The cowl's anonymity would be exceptionally handy right about now. She didn't know how many times she had been stopped in her process towards the Masters' inner chamber with greetings of astonishment of her return and questions of how she had escaped the destruction Taris.
She kept giving everyone the same explanation: she had to see the Masters first; if they would excuse her and not hamper her progress, thank you very much! More than a few times she wished she could be as flippant and verbose as Skye and tell everyone that came up to her to sod off and get the frell away from her because she didn't have time for anyone but the kriffing Masters. Imaging the scout's snarky words brought a snort of laughter to the young Jedi as she finally reached the Council room.
"Bastila, we welcome you back." Master Vandar was the first to greet her. He approached her leaning on his gimmer stick. "Your tenure as commander of the Endar Spire was far more eventful than any of us expected."
"We were ambushed, Master. The Sith knew we were going to be there, we were betrayed from within."
The impish master grunted slighting indicating he suspected as much. "Troubling. The enemy has many devices and agents at their disposal. Spies amongst them. Come young one, there is much to tell." The aged Jedi led the way into the Council chamber proper; there in a semicircle sat Masters Vrook, Zhar, and Dorak. By holographic representation were Masters Atris, Kavar, Lonna Vash, and Zez-Kai Ell.
Without fear Bastila stepped forward into the center of the chamber. This was not her first time before the Council of Masters. Each of them had been present during her return with Revan nearly two years ago. But despite the lack of fear within the young Jedi there was some hesitancy and reluctance.
"Masters, there had been some recent develops concerning Revan. Her powers are becoming more realized to her. She is recalling her connection to the Force." Bastila said.
"We should have suppressed them fully." Vrook said with a snarl.
"Perhaps you should tell us what occurred both on the ship and the planet." Lonna said.
"I was not with her when the Endar Spire was attacked, as far as what occurred on the planet I can only tell you what I know from when we were reunited at the race track, the rest is second hand knowledge coming from Carth Onasi, the girl Mission Vao and from Rev…Ravensong."
It took over three and half hours to report all, mostly because Bastila had to pause several times in her retelling to answer questions. She skimmed over the death match and her involvement with the battle meditation knowing how much the Masters would disapprove. She reported that Skye had established herself both as the arena grand champion known as the Mysterious Stranger and as a bounty hunter for governmental contracts. She spoke of freeing Zaalbar from the Gamorrean slavers and the slaying of the rancor monster.
"During the race, I felt her tap into the Force and pull on it, though subconsciously. She also used it during the ensuing skirmish after the race. She moved as Jedi, as she had before…" here Bastila paused gathering her breath, "before her reprogramming. She displayed the same prowess during her bouts in the arena; I've seen the playbacks and was witnessed to the last bout. She switched from form to form just as she had when she was still Revan. I saw her go between at least three different forms almost without conscious thought."
"It doesn't necessarily mean she's overcome the suppression we place upon her; Revan was after all re-programmed with the memories of a child raised in a Nagai monastery. The Nagai are formidable warriors, her abilities are more than likely a result of our programming. We must not jump to conclusions." Atris said.
"That isn't all." Bastila reaffirmed with some force behind her voice. "She's been recalling her former life specifically my confrontation with her on the bridge of her flagship prior to the explosion- though she recalls it only in dreams and visions. She is under the impression she has had the dreams because she had touched a part of one of my more intense memories"
"This can become problematic, if not handled properly." Kavar spoke. "We need her to recall how she and Malak became so powerful after their return from the outer reaches but not to recall so much that she becomes Revan once more."
Bastila shook her head but kept her silence.
"You are troubled young one," Vandar prompted. "Speak your thoughts."
"All this deception, all these secrets it isn't right, it betrays the spirit of the Code."
"Do you presume to know the Code more than we? You who have so recently been knighted?" Atris's voice became a degree colder. "Revan, defied the Council and betrayed the Order, and what she did to Meetra is irredeemable! It was her fault that Meetra fell to the dark side and was branded the Exile!
"We must reap the knowledge locked away in that scattered mind of hers. She is undeserving of benevolence we gave her. It was a mistake to save her life as you did on that ship Knight Shan, it should have been her grave. But what is done is done. Now we must all deal with your actions and pray the Dark Lord does not return."
"Be mindful Master Atris of your feelings, as must we all. We must all endeavour to recall that the person we knew as Revan is not the young scout known as Skye Ravensong." Vandar said sagaciously. "Knight Shan while your concern is noted, recall there are many paths one can take in the understanding of the Jedi Code. Many lives hang in the balance for what lies within the mind of one Nagai. Sometimes the truth must be manipulated for the greater good. We must harden our hearts in order to do what is necessary."
"I say this is foolish, we risk too much." Vrook shook his balding head. "Revan's fractured memories and this supposed connection to the Force are unreliable. As Atris and I believe the information locked away in her mind can be forcibly removed."
"Masters! That would surely kill her!" Bastila balked. "The whole reason her mind was reprogrammed was to harvest the information and turn it against Malak. To take it like that is a betrayal! We can't…"
"Nor will we use such methods." Vandar held up his three-fingered hand.
"But we should consider it as an alternative." Atris said just as firmly as her counterpart. "Revan and Malak amassed vast amounts of power, weaponry and troops including many Dark Jedi. We must know how she accomplished this. Nearly two years have passed since her capture and reprogramming and we have yet to bear fruit."
"The memories filtering into her visions are the fruit." Bastila gave an impassioned plea. "If she can recall the battle as a third person, Skye can be influenced to recall how Revan amassed such terrible power."
"Do you rise to protect what is left in Revan's mind or out of some misguided loyalty over the close friendship you two shared before she abandoned the Order?" Atris snapped.
"My former friendship with Revan was no stronger than yours with Meetra, yet we both must do our duties for the Order, Master Atris." Bastila shot back hotly. "You sat in judgment of Meetra when she returned and exiled her. I have always done my duty just as you have despite our personal feelings."
Atris bristled but before she uttered a word another spoke.
"Then you are content to continue your role-playing Bastila, fanning your ignorance over Revan's true identity? Are you content to continue to push her and guide her path?" Zez-Kai Ell spoke up for the first time. "Before you questioned this path now you advocate it and your part in it." It was a statement but it sounded more like a question or an accusation.
"I said I will do what is necessary." Bastila said. She didn't like the lies, the trickery, shame filled her but she had had to submit to the wisdom of the Council as she always had.
"When you leave here, you will bring her before us where she will be assessed for her Force potential and you will play your part as her sponsor." Zhar said.
"Before you leave young Bastila, what of your connection to her?" Vandar queried.
"Since she is realizing her power more and more I have found it difficult to continue to dampen it. I fear I will not be able to do so for much longer. I think she already suspects we have a connection."
"Then we will have to explain it to her in a manner most plausible. The intensity of battle generated a Force Bond between you two." Dorak piped up. "From a certain point of view, it is the truth, she simply need not know which battle your connection was formed."
No Bastila thought, it wasn't formed above or on Taris, it was born on Revan's flagship when she joined her life-force with the Dark Lord to save her life. Even with the twisted memories the Masters gave her Revan knew there was a connection to her 'Angel' the one she professed her undying love for.
"Bastila, when you use the Battle Meditation you connect to the sprits, into the hearts and minds of others to influence them. I believe it may be possible to use your Force Bond and the effects of Battle Meditation to connect to Revan and influence her dreams. Show her once more the confrontation on the flagship. That will be a catalyst to begin the induction of your Force Bond with her, a way to explain it to the personality of Ravensong." Kavar ordered.
Once more shame washed over Bastila, the part she was to play become more and more bitter in her mouth. She made herself believe the Masters had a wisdom and foresight beyond her, that their judgments could not be questioned. As Master Vandar had said, you have to harden your heart…
KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~ KOTOR~KOTOR~
Even as Bastila was making her foray into the Enclave proper, the remaining companions decided to stretch their legs and have a look around the port. With the credits, they had foraged, salvaged and earned the four hit the shops. Canderous having his own credit chits hit the weapons emporium. Coincidentally enough the same outlet store also housed the armoury which was where Carth had wandered off too.
For his part Zaalbar was left with the ship to oversee the detailing and since it was his fault the synthesizer and refresher weren't working properly it was only right he saw it fixed.
Ravensong despite her desire to check out the armours or new blades she had other priorities. Namely Mission, since she took the girl under her wing she had become her responsibility. The kid needed a few more changes of clothes other than which she brought with her, and then there were the former slaves Ald'rehuna and Avid'ar. Having urged them to take the chance for the freedom there was a certain amount responsibility there as well. Skye gave them each a credit of five hundred credit chits, from a stash they found within a hidden container in the starboard bunks. It wasn't a great deal but it would at least get them a few basic essentials off the racks, nothing name-brand but then all that was important was to clothe their backs, and a decent pair of shoes with good soles.
Of course, Skye had start fishing around for a few places that might be willing to take on apprentice shopkeepers if not the oils the girls could concoct. It was in one of the clothiers that four women crossed path s with yet another Twi'lek. She was might older than Mission about ten years or so, with tanned skin, her lekku were darker tipped in green not unlike Zaedra's purple. She approached not with the friendly eagerness of a shopkeep looking to make a sale but with the familiarity of an old friend.
"Mission? Mission is that you?" the woman called out. "By the stars, it is you!"
"Lena! You table-dancing-brother-stealing shutta!" Mission yelped as soon as she saw the other woman. "I autta hit you so hard your lekkus pop off!"
"Mission?" The now identified Lena sounded both shocked and hurt by the greeting. "I don't understand…why are you acting this way?"
"She gets a might worked up where her brother is concerned." Skye supplied.
"Now that I can understand." Lena said, her voice now caring the tones of regret. "He does that to everyone he meets."
"Where is he? Where's Griff?" Mission demanded. "You…you brother-stealer!"
"I'm sorry Mission, last I heard he was Tatooine."
"Used him and dumped him, didn't you?" the girl sneered.
"It's the other way around Mission; I didn't want to leave you on Taris. I even offered to pay your way and why not? I paid for everything else, but Griff insisted that you didn't want to go. I said then we shouldn't go."
"You..." Mission yelped, not wanting to believe it. Even with her anger high there was a part in her brain that said 'oh it was very much the truth.' And that made her rage. "You're lying! Griff would never leave me behind. You took him, used his credits and when they ran out you dumped him." That had to be the way it was. It just had to be!
"Mission, it's the other way around, Griff used me, just like he uses everyone. I'm sorry. I actually cared about the two of you, I still care about you, but your brother is bad news."
"Liar!" Mission screamed sailing for Lena but was caught up easily by Skye.
"Cool your retro thrusters, Mission. We'll contact your brother get his side of things." The Nagai looked to the older Twi'lek. "You said he was on Tatooine. You know where?"
"Last I heard he joined up with the Czerka mining operation out of Anchorhead." Lena said sadly. "For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry Mission."
"Hurph…Shutta." the girl huffed, glaring as Lena passed by her.
"Mission…" Lena sighed, reaching out for the girl but stopped. "Good luck to you. I hope that if we ever meet up again, things will be better."
Mission still glared, it softened only when she met Skye's inquisitive gaze. "Tell me you don't believe her, Skye."
"Mission, I don't know your brother, maybe he isn't the man you thought he was; maybe she was lying. But you did say he ran up debts on your home planet before you fled to Taris. The same probably happened again both on Taris and here. We'll look him up and get the answers from him."
Mission nodded, "Okay. Thanks Skye. For everything."
The Nagai nodded, "So hey why don't we grab some grub not from a synthesizer? I saw a café not far from here."
"Oh a hot meal would be lovely, Mistress." Avid'ar said shyly. Though she knew she was now free her years as a slave were too long to simply overcome her braking and training.
"Forgive her outspokenness, Mistress…" Ald'rehuna started but was stopped with Skye's raised hand. "It's alright, remember neither one of you are slaves any more, Ald'rehuna. Be as outspoken as you want." she smiled in that disarming way of hers.
"So how do you think the guys are doing?" Mission asked.
"Five credits says Carth lost his temper and belted Canderous." Skye said in a way of an answer.
"Oh, too easy," Mission said, "Carth always loses his temper."
Tempting this new outspokenness Ald'rehuna ventured, "I wager five that Canderous lays the last punch."
"I'll top that, and say it gets them arrested." Mission added.
"Then they will contact you to intervene, Mistress Skye." Avid'ar smiled.
"Oh you're on, missy, Fly Boy will never call me," Skye shook her head, "And the Old Man is too proud. "I'll put money on that. I place ten on they call no one."
"Ald'rehuna, what do you say?" Mission prompted.
"I know nothing of Carth save for our short time on the Ebon Hawk, but I do know Canderous. If Master Carth strikes first, it will be Master Canderous will strike last and should they be arrested I know he will not call for you Mistress but he will drop your name."
"So…I'm confused: you're saying he won't call Skye to bail him out but he will drop her name so what Skye gets a call anyway?" Mission questioned.
The former slave nodded.
"Okay, that's your bet then." Skye smirked.
As they were making their way to the café, Mission chirped out, "Oh hey what if the Old Man or Fly Boy calls Bastila?"
Skye burst out laughing. "Call the Jedi Princes?!" she chuckled more. "Pft! That will never happen. That's not even worth placing a bet on."
Hour and half into their meal there was a call on the comms: one Canderous Ordo claiming to be in the employ of one Skye Ravensong and one Commander Carth Onasi had been arrested for public brawling. It seemed Onasi stuck the first blow after being deliberately taunted by the Mandalorian, whose own punch to Republic soldier's glass jaw not only knocked the man out but also knocked out a molar. Upon such time, they were promptly arrested by two patrolling Jedi Padawans. No, neither man were asking for bail, only a notification as to what happened to them. Ald'rehuna walked away thirty credits the richer.
As for the men, they would be released on their own recognisance after paying a very hefty fine and the threat of being back in the cells for a much longer stay. For Carth, it was an extra hour at the dentist (on his own credits) with a word of strong warning not to do it again.
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~ KOTOR~KOTOR~
Bastila returned to the ship to find Skye and Mission lounging on the bottom bunk in the port side bunks playing a hand of pazzak. There were no piles of credits, not even chips. Bet even for a friendly game it seemed rather cut-throat. Both where so intent on the game neither noticed the Jedi lingering at the door.
"I saw that!" Skye yelped, "You cheated."
"You couldn't possibly have seen it. I'm good, very good."
"So, you admit you cheated."
"Well of course I did, but you didn't see it."
The scout cocked her head slightly. "You forget how good I am, it's my job to notice that sort of thing."
"Oh well that's true enough. But the only way you saw my slip is if you've been cheating too."
Skye smirked. "Cheating? Me?" she waved her hand away. "Perish the thought; I'm just that good, besides it's a friendly game."
"Peft! Pull the other lekku."
"Oh, I've cheated when it was necessary to complete a mission. Lie too. Hell, I lied my way through all of Taris. But that's what a good scout does, suss out what needs to be known, gain that INTEL and report back to the Brass."
"Have you ever had to carry out orders you disagreed with?" Mission asked.
Bastila too desired this answer, for now she was in a place she completely disagreed with the orders the Masters had given her.
"Yeah, though I carried them out, I did with protest. But if you're asking if I found some orders completely detestable…scouts don't normally get those kinds of orders. We're sent in covertly to get intelligence, hyperspace routes, sometimes though very rarely sabotage. There was a time I was sent into a Mandie base during the war, discovered a nest of slaves: my orders were clear and irrefutable, collect set of coordinates to one of their battle stations and get out, leave the slaves or compromise the security of the mission."
"But you freed then any way didn't you." Mission said with a knowing smile.
But Ravensong shook her head. "No." she said with a hint of guilt in her voice. "I didn't and I hated my superiors for those orders even if I knew they were strategically right to give them. Morally it was wrong. I had to play the ghost and go unseen and perform my duties. I have never forgiven those who gave me those orders. Five dozen lives irrevocably changed forever, many butchered in the braking processes but had I disobeyed and the Mandies discovered my purpose then more thousands of lives would have been lost. Sometimes you are called upon to do despicable things for the greater good, but it doesn't make it easier to live with. In fact, it is a very bitter pill to swallow."
Bastila absorbed the words. 'Sometimes you are called upon to do despicable things for the greater good, but it doesn't make it easier to live with.' Those words perhaps more than any other spoken to her by the Masters made her able to swallow the bitter pill of the orders she had been given.
"You're back." Skye said without turning.
For a moment, Bastila wondered if Ravensong had felt her through the Force then as suddenly as she had allowed the truant thought into her mind, she dismissed it. Of course, the Nagai knew she was there, she had after all a scout's perception and awareness.
Mission didn't seem all that surprised to find the Jedi lurking at the threshold of the crew quarters. But as a streetwise kid, she spent practically her whole life in the Lower City amongst swoop gangers. No doubt such a life gave the girl a very sharp eye to notice all around her.
"I have just returned, yes. And with some news. I have spoken briefly with the Council. They request an audience with you Skye. We should go at once."
Skye handed her cards to Mission and rose from the bunk and turned her full attention to the Jedi but said nothing.
"Wow, Skye that's huge!" Mission exclaimed.
Carth having been in the same vicinity when the women were passing through Ops heard Bastila's proclamation to add to those given by the young scoundrel. "An audience with the Jedi Council? That's pretty unusual for someone who isn't even a Jedi. What's this about, Bastila?" his words were almost angry and more certainly accusatory. He cast a glowering look to the Nagai. He was very much in a foul mood due to the Mandie that Ravensong seemed to have taken a liking to and his mouth hurt like a son of a bitch.
"Sorry Carth, but I cannot tell you. All I ask is that you trust the Force and the wisdom of the Council." Bastila answered.
The man was now clearly pouting. "Well I don't like being left out of the loop, but I'm not looking to get you into any trouble with the Jedi Masters. We'll do things your way for a while."
"Gee thanks ever-so-much for letting me go, Dad. Your benevolence and permission is most bountiful." Skye snipped. She gave him a rather rude and more than a mocking salute.
"I…I didn't mean it like that." Carth became defensive. "I…."
"…best you stay out of Jedi affairs. Better yet, go back your fleet where you can be of more use to the war effort."
"Skye, don't taunt him so deliberately, it is unbecoming to take advantage of so easy a mark." Bastila said.
That got a chuckle from both Skye and Mission. "Wise words master Jedi." Skye tilted her head respectfully. "By the looks of that mug of his, I wager he had a more than enough taunting?"
Bastila looked more closely and saw the large purple bruise on the pilot's jaw. "How did that happen?"
"How do you think?" Skye's eyes tinkled. "Male pissing contests always lead to bruises on the face, a bit of jail time and credits."
At this Bastila bristled. "Commander Onasi do you mean to tell me you got into an altercation with Canderous?"
"That Mandie deliberately…."
"Yes or no will do." The Jedi said with durasteel in her voice.
"Yes."
"You of course realize this is a Jedi compound and as such this incident has been reported to your superiors and is now a part of your records?" Bastila scolded the sulking man. "Such a thing is trivial for a man like Ordo but for you…you should have known better. Are you not a high-ranking officer and not some knuckle-dragging grunt on his first day of leave?"
The tone of her voice reflexively snapped Onasi into a ridge stance of attention. "I hope for your sake you keep your emotions under control lest they drive you into another avoidable altercation."
He had heard practically the same thing from the young padawan that had arrested him but hearing it with a much more mature and authoritative voice, the words sank into the thick stubborn head Onasi possessed. "It won't happen again, Bastila. You have my word on it."
"So far your word has gained you nothing but trouble." Skye said under her breath.
"What?" Onasi demanded
"Oh nothing." the scout chuckled. "Guess we should head off, we wouldn't want to keep the Council waiting."
"No that would not do," Bastila said. "Give me a moment to inform them you've answered their summons." The last words were said looking deliberately at Carth who shrunk back making him incapable of any more of a response.
Moments later Skye, Mission and Zaalbar followed in the Jedi's wake not knowing what to expect from the Masters, to be truthful Skye was a little apprehensive. Her mind so preoccupied with the upcoming meeting she was actually taken by surprise when a woman's voice snapped out at her.
"You there! Padawan! Why are you not wearing the customary robes of the Jedi? Do you mock the honoured tradition of our Order?"
Skye looked around for the poor student that caught so much ire form this human woman only to realize that she was the intended target. "I believe you're mistaken, I'm not a Padawan. I'm not even an apprentice. I'm Skye Ravensong, I came here with Bastila."
"Bastila Shan… I have heard of her. They say she has already mastered the art of Battle Meditation. Remarkable for one so young. Though I have heard she has a foolish pride in her own talents."
"Oh, but you're forgetting arrogant and condescending." Skye smirked. "But…ah…she's also handy with that lightsaber of hers, so there's something."
"As for you," The woman said ignoring the jib "You claim you are not a Padawan learner, this I find difficult to believe. The Force is un-ordinarily strong within you. I can feel its presence burning."
Skye's first impulse was to snap back that she was telling the truth, or that she need not be judged by the upstart, but she kept her tongue civil though not empty of its usual wit. "Be that as it may, if a Jedi cannot tell the truth when it is being told to them, why then should they be allowed to judge? Hum?"
All at once the human was humbled. "Please forgive the abruptness with which I first greeted you. I was harsh and perhaps unfair; my Master often warns me I must keep control if my emotions. I have much left to learn, it seems. I am called Beyla, Knight of the Order. I wish you pleasant stay here on Dantooine, Miss Ravensong. May the Force be with you."
"And with you." Skye said and to her surprise she meant it.
"Wow, Skye first Rukil, now that Beyla chick thinks you have a lot of power. Maybe you really are a Jedi."
"At least a Force sensitive." added Big Z. "She isn't a Jedi yet."
"He's got a point Mission, I haven't yet been admitted. I don't even know if I will be."
"If you are admitted, you're going to join, aren't you?" Mission asked.
The Nagai nodded, "Oh yes." She flashed a cocky grin.
As they stepped inner the Conclave's chambers the others were stopped by two knights.
"The audience with the Council not for them, I apologize but we cannot allow passage to them at this time." one of the knights said.
Skye turned back to her companions, "Sorry guys. Why don't you go take a look around the areas in the conclave you're allowed in? Take a look around the rest of Dantooine like the Old Man's doing. Speaking of him make sure Ordo isn't causing too much of a ruckus. He and Onasi were just let out of the clink just because they can't reign in their raging testosterone. Given their natures they'll end right back in there, despite the Princess's warning."
"Maybe it is for the best if they do," Zaalbar said. "They will cause no more trouble for us."
"Tempting." Ravensong nodded "Anyway, I've got to go."
Skye was half expecting the grandeur of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, not the humble chambers of which the Council now presided. She saw only four male members at present, the other masters either must be back on Coruscant or attending duties elsewhere in the galaxy. There were three humans, a pink-skinned Twi'lek and green impish looking sentient of which she had no name for his species.
It was the Twi'lek that first spoke. "Ah, so you are the one who rescued Bastila." Skye cut a glance to the Jedi in question and saw her shift from foot to foot as the truth was out. "It is appropriate you are here now. We have been discussing your rather special case. I am Zhar of the Jedi Council. With me are Masters Vrook," the taciturn balding human with a permanent scowl upon his face, "Master Vandar," the impish one, "and our chronicler of our academy Master Dorak," the dusky middle-aged human. "Knight Bastila, I am sure you are already familiar with."
"What do you want from me?" Skye practically demanded. She wanted clean and clear answers of what they expected of her and what she could of them. Her words seemed to cause the frown on Vrook's face more deeply ingrained upon his lined face.
"Bastila tells us you are strong in the Force. We are considering you for Jedi training."
Vrook openly sneered. "Master Zhar speaks out of turn. We need indisputable proof of your strong affiliation to the Force before we would even consider accepting you for training."
"Proof!?" Bastila yelped, stepping forward. "Surely the entire Council can feel the strength of the Force within this woman. And I have already related the events that took place on Taris…"
"Perhaps it was simply luck." again the contempt rang discord through Vrook's harsh voice.
"We both know there is no luck. There is only the Force." Zhar said calmly. "We all feel the power of Bastila's companion though it is wild and untamed. Now that it's begun to manifest itself can we safely ignore it, just because of her age?"
"The Jedi training is long and difficult, even when working with a young and open mind. Teaching a child is hard, how much harder will it be for an adult to learn the ways of a Jedi?" Vrook continued to argue.
Skye had just about enough of the old coot. And here she thought Onasi could raise her hackles quickly, this human took the prize. She pinned the codger with a look of pure confidence and a smidgen of defiance. "I'm willing try my best. I will meet your trials, Masters. Put me through them."
"Traditionally the Jedi do not accept adults for training, though there have been some exceptions in the history of our order. But you are a special case Skye Ravensong." Dorak said
"I agree with Master Dorak. Many of our own pupils are leaving the Jedi order to follow the Sith teachings. We need recruits to stand against Malak. With Revan dead…." Vandar said with a surprisingly deep voice for one so small.
Vrook cast his gaze directly at Skye, that sneer on his face became grimmer and darker. "Are you so certain Revan is truly dead? What if we undertook the training of this one," he flippantly gestured towards the Nagai before him. "and the Dark Lord should return?"
"We should discuss this mater more thoroughly in private." Vandar interrupted Master of all grumpiness. "Bastila you and your companion must go. This is a matter for the Council alone."
Bastila bowed with great respect before her superiors. "As you wish Master Vandar, we shall return to the Ebon Hawk and leaver you to your deliberations."
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
"So…? Are you going tell us what happened?" Mission was bouncing on the balls of her feet.
All heads turned Skye's way, both humans, Zaalbar and even T3-M1 as they were all seated around the table in the laughable space that served as the Hawk's mess hall, which was a little alcove just off Ops.
"They are debating whether or not to take me into the academy to be a Jedi Knight." Skye answered digging into a plate curry.
"A Jedi Knight? I knew there was greatness in you. I am most horned that my life debt will be to a Jedi." Zaalbar seemed to be more at ease with his pledge than he had in the week before.
"Old Wrinkle Skin was right about your destiny." Mission beamed.
"Not so fast, they haven't decided anything yet." Bastila warned, pushing around the food on her plate. Apparently, she had no appetite.
"Oh, I don't think they will turn her away. I doubt they want Ravensong to go to the Sith just because she's a might older than most students." Canderous heaped another helping of the curry they had picked from one local bistros near the small space port.
Bastila looked positively terrified at the prospect, as if she actually entertained the idea that Ravensong would do exactly that. "If you will excuse me, with everything going on I find myself needing to meditate. It's been too long since I've cantered myself." She quickly rose and moved towards the portside quarters.
Zaalbar gave one look to the Jedi's uneaten portion and before taking it for himself. When Mission gave him a look of recrimination he merely shrugged his big furry shoulders. "If she wasn't going to eat it, no sense in allowing it to go to waste was there?"
"No I guess not." Mission shook her head. Big Z and his never-full-stomach. It made her wonder if all Wookiees were like that or just her big buddy.
Carth was completely silent during affair, quietly eating his dinner.
"This is great, Skye. They'll let you in, no probs." Mission was all grins, returning her attention to her hero. "You're going to make a great Jedi. You got all the cool hero bits down, now you just have to get those Force powers down."
Skye only smiled softly.
"You did a lot of nearly impossible things back there on Taris but I've never seen you display any sort of Jedi talents." Carth finally spoke up.
To be honest Skye was curious about this aspect herself. The synthesis of what she accomplished on Taris and her abilities she had taken away from the Nagai monastery was a remarkable feat. It was strange how quickly those talents had come to her as if in memory of some long lost dream.
Skye, needing to prove more to herself than to any of those seated about the table stretched out her hand and concentrated on the fork at Bastila's empty place. She simply envisioned it standing on end. It took a couple of seconds but fork jostled, flipped up and stood on all four prongs.
Mission clapped and stuck her tongue out at Carth as if to say 'see I told you so.'
Skye's lips curled as she made the fork dance across the table, slid into Carth's plate, and scoop up a bit of the curry.
In flash of perhaps of parental intuition Carth knew exactly what was going to happen in the next second. "Don't you dare!"
Flick. Splat!
"Uguck!" Onasi sputtered.
Everyone around the table laughed.
"I think she just forked you over, Republic." Canderous chuckled.
Carth wiped away the splattered chunks of meat and sauce from his face trying to look disgusted but he laughed in spite of himself. "Oh, very mature, Ravensong. Trying to prove you're young enough for the Masters to take in?"
"Just so." Skye smirked. "Hell, there's one ancient geezer I wouldn't mind doing that to." she said thinking Vrook and his face covered in curry sauce which caused her to release a fit of giggles.
"I highly doubt the Masters will accept you on the merits of starting food fight," Carth took the now listless fork stuck it back deep into the food on his plate. He smirked.
"No? Damn." Skye was still smiling triumphantly. "Still, I proved the Force is with me."
Carth smiled and nodded, then flicked the load of curry he had on the fork at the scout. But Skye sensed his intent, held up her hand quickly and with a small wave of two fingers sent the hurtling mucky curry directly into Canderous's face.
"You two children want to knock that shit off?" The Mandalorian groused as he used a napkin to clean the guck from his chin.
"Sorry, Old Man," Skye's face was still smiling. She was far more pleased that she was capable of what she had done rather than end results. She could use the Force! The thrill of it filled her to overwhelming gratification. 'Tell me now it was just luck you stick-up-the-ass prick.'
KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~ KOTOR~KOTOR~
(AN: Yes, yes, I know that Bastila in the game is referred to as a Padawan but then she speaks of becoming a Master in a conversation. And my thoughts are how can one be tested as a Master without the Jedi trials that first make one a knight? Then in many of the books she is referred to as a Master so I bumped her up to a knight. Seeing what she went through on Revan's flagship it might as well served as her Trials. If it is unorthodox say to what we see in the new game just take a look and Anakin. So, in not so many words live with it, I made Bastila a full knight. Besides Juhuni can't be the only knight on the Hawk, now can she?)