Chapter 19
"One thing I don't get about you Jedi." The Mandalorian said after Ravensong updated the others on what happened after she was granted her new title. "Your master ignored the threat of raiders on this rock then they turn around and want you to play nice to the local Money and find some brat." Canderous grumbled. "Guess money makes the difference: even to the mighty Jedi."
"It's not like that, is it Skye?" Mission protested. She searched her hero's eyes to find some kind of reassurance, something to believe in. To her the Jedi were great figures; incorruptible, non-prejudicial unlike the majority of the populous of Taris.
"Of course, it's not." It was Bastila that answered for the Nagai. "We cannot be bought."
"Believe what you want. Way I see it, the Jedi didn't move when the poor farmers were losing their lives- their daughters raped- but the moment some rich asshole loses a son your precious Masters order immediate intervention." Ordo argued.
"Maybe Jedi Masters put more value on the life of a son than a daughter." Zaalbar reasoned. "The rape and murder of a daughter is not as an important issue as the kidnapping of a male heir."
There were many cultures in the galaxy that held such beliefs, that females were little more than breeding stock, nursemaids and somewhere to put a randy cock. The females of those cultures were so browbeaten they apparently never conceived of a life other than servitude.
"NO!" Bastila shook her head violently. "It isn't like that! The Jedi do not place importance of one sex above another. Skye tell them!"
The Nagai was inclined to agree with the others, the Masters only moved against the Mandalorians after Skye had challenged them about the plight of the farmers. But when the Matale man barked so loud about his son gone missing, the Masters reacted with all due haste to contain the situation.
To that point, how many women Masters were serving on the Council? So far, the young knight had seen only two, though they were holographic representations. Maybe there was some truth to what Zaalbar said: the Jedi placed value of males over females. Why else was there so few females serving on the Council, why else were the masters so utterly slow in moving against rapists and thugs and so very swift to move for Sandral? Great wealth and males' heirs' verses poor and disposable daughters, who do you think was going to get more attention?
"The proof is seemingly to the contrary, Princess." Skye said at last, much to Bastila's and Mission's disappointments. "The guys have a point, there was no movement until money and a son was involved then, well, we're sent to go investigate even over the more important mission to find out what is in those ruins."
"I can't believe you're siding with them." Bastila shot a hurt and betrayed look to her fellow Jedi. She could not believe Skye's that matter neither could Mission.
"I'm not siding with anyone; I'm just saying what it looks like." Skye murmured. "Anyway, we have a job to do. Canderous you, Mission and Zaalbar go towards the Western plans near the Matale estate and see if there is any sign of this Shen kid. I'd start looking around kath hound dens for remains. More than likely the boy ended up as dog chow."
"That's a wretched thought." Bastila scolded.
"A realist thought. The way the hounds were berserk it's not outside the realm of possibility." Ravensong said.
"I hate to say it but she's right." Onasi nodded. "There's probably nothing left of that boy. We should head out to the Sandral grounds to see what we can learn if anything. Put those scouting skills of yours to good use, Skye."
As they began to file out the young Twi'lek turned to Ravensong with a sigh, she so much wanted to believe in something greater than herself. "Skye..."
Reading the teenager's dejected face; Skye walked up touched her forehead to the other female's and smiled as an elder sister might "Don't worry. Bastila and I are what Jedi are supposed to be. Bas had it right; she and I can't be bought. I fought for the farmers just like I am going to look for this kid because it's the right thing to do. But I need your help to do it, just like I needed it when we put down those sleemo frackers that were raping and murdering those innocent girls."
Renewed in hope, Mission's face was alight once more. "You got it!" the girl smiled. "You can count on me Skye."
"Never doubted it. Now go, hopefully this Shen boy isn't hound chow."
The groups split up three and three with Ravensong's trio laying claim to T3-M4. The little Astro-droid would make the search in both the Khoonda plans and the Sandral estate for Shen Matale that much easier. Of course, if they had a sample of his DNA it would be easier still. What they did have was a picture of the young man; it would have to be enough.
With the droid safely secured on the back of Ravensong's swoop bike and Bastila and Carth on the remaining two the three headed out towards the rival estate. The fast route there was across a bridge that passed over a small ravine and a trickle of water that was trying very hard to impersonate a stream. This however was blocked by a Twi'lek, who by his stance appeared to be waiting for them as if knowing the companions were in route. By his robes and the lightsaber strapped to his hip, there was one logical conclusion: Jedi.
Skye powered down her swoop as did the two humans following her. "Master Jedi?" Ravensong gave the more traditional greeting when meeting an unknown person of the Order.
"Padawan your arrival here is well timed."
"We're on our way to the Sandral estate, our timing wasn't deliberate. Who are you?"
"I am Bolook. I was sent here by the enclave to investigate a killing that took place here not a few hours ago. I was going to handle this case myself but now that you are here this could be an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate how well you have been learning your lessons at the academy. Though you are not a full Jedi perhaps you can assist me in sorting out the truth from the lies."
Skye replied in a sarcastic breath, "It's not like I have anything important to draw my attention. What do you want me to do?" she turned off the engine to the bike and began pushing it as she followed the green-skinned Twi'lek across the bridge. A glance cast over her shoulder confirmed that Bastila and Carth had both followed suit.
"Listen to the stories given by both suspects." Bolook said guiding the way to a small enclosure of rocky hills and a meadow.
There two humans stood several paces apart each guarded by an armed droid while a third protocol droid stood between them next to the corpse of a third man.
"I have brought an information retrieval droid from the enclave which has access to the records of the enclave and planetary council for you to utilize." Bolook informed the Padawan. "I will use my wisdom and experience to offer you some guidance but I will not solve the case for you. There is little benefit to you if you do not solve this problem yourself.
"Consider each man's account and check the facts with the information droid. Once you have gathered the evidence you think you need, run through the possible scenarios with me. If you are unable to come to a satisfactory resolution, then I will take men into the enclave and deal with them myself.
"According to the accounts of the participants, these three men were out here in the field together earlier before the clouds broke. I find it odd; most people would seek shelter indoors when the sky is heavy with dark storm clouds as was earlier today. That is not the most puzzling aspect of the case. Calder Nettic was shot in the back with a blaster riffle. The rifle was found near his body with blood stains on it. It has been sent back to the enclave for analysis.
"Two men were found near the scene when I arrived. One is Handon Guld- he was unarmed. The other is Rickard Lusoff who was carrying a hunting rifle. Each man claims they did not do anything and then they crossed paths with the body but they also accuse each other. Obviously, there is more to this than what we've been told."
"Is there anything else I should know?" Skye said drawing in all the facts she had heard thus far.
"There is one last thing. When I arrived Handon was holding his side and Rickard was favouring one of his legs. You would do well to remember this as you peruse the remainder of the case. If there is anything else you need, I will remain here as you question the suspects."
Skye padded up to the first male, he looked painfully constipated. In the Jedi's mind, he was the grumpy one. The way he kept a contemptible eye on Bolook, he was apparently one of those pro-human guys that looked down all other species as sub-sentient.
"Another Jedi huh? That Twi'lek has been investigating for a while now. Guess he can't figure it out. I am Rickard Lusoff. Maybe you can figure this out so I can get out of here."
Yep, spot on Skye thought. "Tell me what happened," her tone was no-nonsense.
"Well I was out hunting iriaz when I spotted one nearby-over by the bridge. I was lucky because there haven't been that many around because of the kath hounds going crazy in the area. Though they're still around. I was in my blind up on the ridge. I pull out my rifle and aim at it but I couldn't see it mind you because the damn sun was in my eyes, it was right behind the iriaz. So, I shoot it- POW- and it drops. I walk over here and find Handon standing over this body, holding his side. Calder must have been hunting it himself because there was a rifle next to his body. That Jedi has that now. Mine too. I want that gun back. So why don't you get this whole farce over with and take that whiner Handon to prison."
"The sun was in your eyes. On a heavily overcast day? Really?" Skye looked up. "It was going to storm earlier, thick black clouds and the sun was in your eyes. And the iriaz? Where's the body? No kath hounds around this area. I didn't see a kill spot, not blood, no carcass. Farce indeed. You just lied. To a Jedi. But if that is your story very well." Skye's voice drew in the coldness of the storm that did not fall.
"I don't know what happened to it when I came over Handon was there and the iriaz was gone."
"A whole big iriaz gone?
"YES! Handon must have taken it!"
"Where'd he put it? In his quantum pocket?"
"I...I don't know. I have nothing to do with this. Can I go now?"
Skye ignored the whining question. "You're limping, are you hurt?"
"Well...am... kinda sprained my ankle running through the bushes before I found the body, but nothing that serious."
"Did you know the victim?" she didn't give him a chance to recover from one question before she barraged him with another.
"Yeah I knew him. Hell, we've known each other for a good long time, doesn't mean I really like the slim-ball." Rickard sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him, especially now that he's dead. We actually got along pretty well most of the time. We just had our differences. We were actually business partners. We were in the trade of orbit to ground transport for Aratech. Can I leave now? I should be the one to give the news to his wife."
Skye glowed so darkly Rickard took an involuntary step back. "You're seriously asking me if you can leave? During a murder investigation? Of course, you can't, dumb-ass."
The word surprised not only the human under investigation but Bastila as well, Carth just snickered.
"You can't..." Rickard thought better of chastising the dangerous looking Nagai female. Jedi or not he knew the Blades had a lethal reputation especially if you tampered with their short-fused anger control. "You wanna know why someone wanted him dead I suppose. You Jedi are so predictable. Always seeing some greater purpose behind everything when the simplest answer is usually the right one. Can't you see it must have been Handon? I found him standing over the damn body! I don't know why this is causing you so much trouble Knife-ears. You almost seem as lost as this Bolook guy."
"You just sit tight." Skye tossed. "After I'm done talking to him you can have even more unconvincing lies to spew. Like how it was a one legged kath hound who must have done it."
She turned from the man and went to Handon. As she approached the human put on what he thought was a charming smile. "Ah you must be helping Master Bolook in his investigation." His manor was far more charming then Rickard's had been but to Skye he still oozed. "I am Handon Guld. Perhaps you heard of me?"
"Outside this murder investigation. No." Skye said crisply.
"Oh," his charming smile faltered. "I presume you wish to hear my story concerning all of this. I will tell you of course, but there isn't much to it. I'm sure after dealing with Rickard you will see he is guilty of the murder."
Red flags went straight up in Skye's mind.
"See I was out here running earlier today," Handon started.
Skye gave him a sceptical look but said nothing.
Handon interpreted it as disbelief. "Yes running. I do that a lot. I can't stand speeders- never use them. Keeps me fit too, you know," he puffed out his chest as if to reveal his supper physique. Which was by any judge of the eye sorely lacking. He was the sort of guy that did three sit-ups and as soon as a woman walked into the room changed the number to three hundred.
"Anyway, I was out running on the other side of the bridge there when all of a sudden I heard a shot coming from over here. I ran over and found this man Calder lying on the ground dead."
"Did you see the killer?" Typical not me defence, Skye thought.
"I saw Rickard come skulking out of shadows and rock south of the river. I knew something was wrong so I hit my emergency button and called the Enclave right-a-way. Well there, that is my story. Now can we please hurry this up and arrest Rickard so I can get on with my day."
"Not so fast, sir. I don't arrest someone because another idiot points his finger and says 'he did it.' Did you see what happened?" the Jedi demanded.
"Well I didn't actually see anything, until I heard the shot and crossed the bridge. I can tell you I was sure surprised to see Calder's body lying there. I just got here when I saw Richard holding his blaster there. I was terrified and I had no idea what he was going to do, so like I said I hit my emergency button."
"And called the Enclave, yes yes. But you didn't see Rickard shoot, did you?"
"No. Master Bolook came out with his droids and started questioning me. I—I think he doesn't actually understand what's going on, ya know. I hope you will be able to make a more informed decision I have things I have to do."
"No I will not hurry. Do not ask again." Skye growled causing Handon to quiver and re-evaluate his situation. "You decided to go running on a day that a storm was in the air. Not only that but the kath hounds have been nearly rabid and there were Mandalorian marauders skulking about and you go towards a shot being fired? Well curiosity does turn people into stupid morbid lookie-loos. Wanting to see a bit of blood? Violence? Maybe a bit of gore?"
"What? No! I take a daily constitutional, is all." Handon shook his head frantically.
"In boots? Not even combat boots." Skye gave a look to the extravagant boots there were more fashionable than functional.
"I just...enjoy running to anything else. It gets my mind off things. A healthy body will bring a healthy mind I always say. Ha heh."
"Right." Skye looked at the male with a bored expression. "You're holding your side. Are you injured?"
He paled. "Injured? No—no of course not."
"Uh-ah."
"Why-why would I have been? Fit as a bantha," he laughed nervously. "I...I run. I run every day. Did I mention that?"
"Might have. Did you know the victim?"
"I knew him a little bit but I wasn't any sort of friend to him or anything. I never really associated him that much. In truth, I didn't really want to. He had...a... reputation. Very inconsiderate of family. I heard."
Ah now we come to some meat. Skye thought.
"But...but merely hearing unkind things about someone wouldn't make me want to kill him." Handon was quick to add.
"No, no of course not." Skye mockingly agreed. "No one said you killed him...yet."
"I'm sorry." Handon realized he must have shown the cards in his hand as he was back peddling swiftly. "I'm getting a bit agitated. Why must I remain here? Can't you see that Rickard must have shot him?"
"I see a whinny piss-ant trying to weasel his way out of justice." She scoffed then turned her direct attention to the information droid. "Can you tell me about Calder and Handon?"
"The South-Woods Speeders have records that show over the past several weeks one of their speeders had been rented by one Mr. Nettic and Mr. Guld. Is there anything else you need?
"Calder and Rickard tell me about them."
"According to the municipal authorities near the Garang Spaceport there had been news of violent drunken disorderly conduct in a cantina attached to the port. Apparently a Mr. R. Lusoff was making accusations against one Mr. C. Nettic about cheating him in a business deal. Jedi Tooka was dispatched and restored order."
"What about the weapon?"
"We can't get any more information out of it other than it did not belong to Mr. Calder. The serial numbers have been filed off."
"Black Market. Humm, okay." Her mind went to the Sullustan just outside the Enclave, he seemed the shifty sort. Shifty enough for Canderous to be interested in his wares.
"And the blood?"
"I just received the analysis of the sample found on the weapon. It had been sent to the enclave just before you arrived. The blood on the weapon is human but definitely not Calder's. Unfortunately, there was some bacterial contaminants in the sample that had been taken back to the laboratory and they had become degraded. We cannot get any more specific analyses for it other than the fact it did not belong to Calder."
She turned and went back to Rickard. "What do you know about the weapon found with the body?"
"That blaster? Never seen it before. Calder himself had a preference for Echani weaponry. He had this really nice light blaster that he always used. Always wished I could get myself a rifle like the one he had."
"Echani make delicate weapons; I wouldn't think a guy like you would like something with so little fire power."
"Yeah whatever. They're precise and fast. And that blaster wasn't it. Calder only had the one rifle too, so he either must have borrowed it, or it's someone else's.
"Maybe, maybe not. I have motive now and it's not looking good for you pal. You thought Calder was cheating you, and here he is dead, and you were out hunting..."
"Now I don't love Calder but we go back a long way. We've run a suborbital transport company out of Garang Spaceport for well over twenty years. And we've done just fine with things the way they are. I ain't got no beef with him."
Skye said, "Bar-room brawls say there is anything but 'just fine' between the two of you. Try denying the bad blood between you."
"Right." Rickard muttered tersely. "Whatever."
Back to Handon.
"What do you now about the weapon found at the body?" the Jedi demanded waiting for more compound lies.
"That blaster was stolen from my house last week. I never knew what happened to it. I hardly have enough money to buy a single blaster let alone get another. I can't tell you how important it is to have a weapon on hand with all these ravenous kath hounds around. Even an iriaz can take you down if it gets in the mood. Every settler has a weapon. It is my most prized possession. I'd appreciate it if I can have it back. After you determine Rickard is the killer."
Skye wasn't buying it, she raised her voice as she addressed the automaton but did not move from where she stood in fount of Handon. "Droid, was there a file reported on a missing firearm from this guy?" she pointed with her thumb over her shoulder.
"I am sorry. I seem to be failing you. I searched and searched but I cannot come up with anything at all. I thought to find a record of the missing weapon report Mr. Guld filed. But there doesn't seem to be one."
Skye gave a pointed look to the man. "Right so another lie. Just like the one you told me about not knowing Calder. You knew him better than you said. You rented a speeder with him. A speeder that you hate using SO much," she folded her arms over her chest.
"I...I realize this must seem like a motive to you, but it isn't! I disliked Calder, true. I would punch his face in given the opportunity but I would not kill him!" he was liberally sweating now.
"Punch him in his face? Why?" blue eyes narrowed.
"All his lies compounded with threats, doesn't look good." Carth said. "You're looking dirtier and dirtier by the minute mate."
"Come clean human." Skye took a menacing step towards the man she was truly beginning to lose patience with.
"My wife was cheating on me with him. They slept in my own bed while I was in the next room. But as much I may hate him for that I could not kill him."
LIAR! Skye's mind screamed.
"It may have been my own fault for driving my wife away. I must try not to take the law into my own hands," he made a vain attempt to sound penitent. He truly must have been convinced his more contrite behaviour was more convincing of innocence than the taciturn attitude of Rickard to continue on with the flaccid façade.
Both Jedi rolled their eyes at this and Carth chortled. This guy didn't actually think anyone is buying the bantha-poodoo he was shovelling, did he?
"I was just out running trying to clear my head for the divorce proceedings. Not stalking him to kill him! Running is not a crime."
Skye stepped up to him so she was nose to nose. "Does this look like a face to you that says I believe your crap? You lied at every turn. You wanted to kill Calder for having an affair with you wife."
"Knock his block off maybe not kill him! Oh my! I...I hope you don't find that incriminating."
"No no of course I don't," her voice was a patronizing purr. "Why would I? Your gun found by the body-one bought off the black market, no missing gun report and you have more than enough motive for wanting to kack this sleemo. And hey, on top of that you rented a speeder for two weeks when you said you hated them. No human I don't find any of it incriminating. Not in the fracking slightest."
"I... normally I'm not prone to outbursts like that but Calder Nettic wasn't a very nice person. Not a very nice person to me... or my family."
"Oh, I'd say he was very nice to your wife." Skye laughed. "And you didn't even see your wife slipping away from you? You really are a self-centred idiot, aren't you? So, you had no clue at all they were banging it up?"
"Humph." Handon glowered. "I had my suspicions for weeks but I had no proof until two days ago. It seems Calder was seeing my wife right under my nose no less. "
"Well if you can't keep her it's your own fault." Skye said. "Maybe you should have spent more time with her between the sheets and less running."
"Yeah maybe."
"Now you're going in for murder."
"But I..."
"I'm a Jedi, shit for brains. You don't actually think you can lie to me, do you? Me, if I was still serving in the Monastery of the Night Mother I'd cut your head off right now." Her hand went to the hilt of her lightsaber. Handon's face paled he stumbled backwards back into the metal body of the droid that was guarding him. There was a sudden pooling wetness about his crotch and the smell of ammonia.
"But you...can't!" he squeaked.
"Yeah, your lucky day, frack-head, I'm not going to execute you. Jedi and all. Apparently, we don't lop people's heads off with our lightsabers...well outside combat that is. Such a shame really because same people just need to die."
Handon fell to his knees sobbing.
"See I told you he did it!" Rickard barked out.
Skye spun on her heels, starched out her hand using the Force she 'yanked' the human off his feet and 'pulled' him towards her. "You're as guilty as he is," she threw his body at the feet of Handon.
"Gods damn you, knife ear..." he managed from where he was in the dirt.
"Do you want to finish that statement?" snarled the Nagai.
Master Bolook watched the scene unfold with bemused curiosity. He knew the young Nagai had come to the Order rather late and had yet to gain the more refined dignity of a Jedi, but she had an effective method nonetheless. And it wasn't as if she wasn't the only rough diamond within the Order.
"Padawan, can I assume you have solved the case?" the Twi'lek queried.
"Yes, Master. Both did it." Skye said as she pointed to Handon. "This loser was pissed off because Calder was banging his wife- he lied about his gun being stolen and about his dislike for speeders in fact he had rented one with Calder here. He took the opportunity and killed him near the bridge.
"At the same time, Rickard, so convinced Calder cheated him in business, was enraged. He knew Calder would be out here, he was hunting him not iriaz. When the fool saw a person near the bridge, from the distance he thought it was Calder and took the shot. Only the idiot didn't hit his intended target he tagged this lying sake of shit-for-brains sleemo. Like you said- Handon is holding his side, lift up his shirt and you'll see the blaster wound. The blood found on the gun is his."
"Yes, well done Padawan. Both men had reason to want Calder dead. Both men knew that Calder would be out here this morning and each plotted to kill him. And the facts fit your theory. Handon, upon seeing Rickard no doubt feared Rickard would kill him as well and so he called us. He hoped to convince us that Rickard had done the murder."
"Damn you! Damn you both!" Rickard screamed now on his feet.
"That is enough!" Bolook snapped back silencing the ranting male. "The culpability of both you in the murder and the attempted murder Calder Nettic is evident. In addition, the additional charge of aggravated assault and attempted murder of Handon Guld will be placed on you Mr. Lusoff. I'm placing you both under arrest by the power of the Jedi Order and will escort you to the holding facilities at the Jedi enclave."
Bolook turned his attention back to the young Nagai. "You have done well here, perhaps a little too bluntly spoken for one of our Order, but your performance was exemplary, if not very effective," he cut a glance to the stain at Handon's crotch. "It is obvious you have been studying your lessons carefully. I will be sure to inform the Jedi Council of your success in this test.
Bastila was extremely impressed. "I don't think I could have done as well," she placed a hand on the Nagai's shoulder, unaware of how closely she was pressing her body next to the older woman's. "Perhaps a touch more refinement in your delivery, but you are an excellent sleuth."
"You might just make a perfect Jedi yet. Who knows?" Carth added trying to be supportive.
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
At the same time Ravensong and her team were solving the murder, Canderous had taken the 'kids' out on to the plans as the Jedi had ordered. Her idea of finding the body of the missing rich-boy seemed a long shot at best. But what the hell, it got him out of that nauseating Jedi hive for a while and by the look of it both the urchin and the Wookiee were just as grateful to leave all that robed mediating and toy-sword duelling behind.
Hell, the urchin was a fair shot and not half bad with demolitions, Canderous admitted. He might be in just the mood to teach her a thing or two about how Mandalorians set up land mines. He recalled on Duxn some of his people had set up a murder-hole completely lined with land mines. Took out half that Jedi Knight's...what was her name... doesn't matter... what did was that she lost a lot of men on that rise. If Mandalorians know anything, it's demolitions.
"Say, look kid while we're out here chasing after wild mynocks, might as well make good use of our time. Hunting dead rich boys isn't what I signed up for, how 'bout I teach you how to shoot those little toys of yours, and while at it I'll show you a thing or two about munitions"
Mission looked to the Echani pistols strapped to her hips. "Look, not that I don't mind the practice and all, but Skye gave us orders."
"Yeah. So, we look for this slab of rotting meat and target practice. I ain't gonna have you shoot at bottles kid. Live targets are best- fortunately this weed infested planet is filled with mangy kath hounds. Plenty of opportunities. And the way you were tossing those mines under the raider's vehicles you have a head for blowing crap up."
Mission's blue eyes twinkled "Well I do like making things go boom," she admitted. "Besides I bet Skye would approve of getting better a shooting and stuff. Whatta ya say Big Z?"
"Becoming better at firearms will only help us against Darth Malak. But to kill a beast without needing to eat it is criminal. Meat will be wasted, it must not."
"Um...so...er you butcher them like before. Preserve the meat and all. I get the feeling this mission to stop Malak is going to be a long one. We can do with salted meats in ship's store," the young Twi'lek said trying to persuade her friend. Besides she wasn't looking forward to searching the plains for the remains of kath hound prey. This sounded like much more fun. She liked blowing things up and she wanted to impress Skye with her shooting. One day soon the former street rat hoped her hero would set some time aside and show her some Nagai tricks with a sword, maybe some Jedi ones as well.
Carth might get his boxers in a twist about the Mandy teaching her and Big Z, but Skye seemed more practical and besides she didn't seem to mind Grandpa Candy's presence and she was a Jedi. Mandies and Jedi were supposed to be enemies.
"Okay, I'm in." the Wookiee barked his reply. Truth be told he wasn't too happy about having to scout out the carcass of some dead human. But better looking for dead bodies then talking to stuffed-up sleemos who believed they were superior to anyone else because of their wealth.
Ordo had to ask Mission for translation as he didn't understand the barks and growls of Shyriiwook and he rarely bothered with a remote translator as most aliens understood and spoke either Basic or Hutteese as the common galactic tongues.
"Good, let's get started on the demolitions then." Canderous said firmly tough not gruffly. He turned and looked to the girl and thought of the raped farm girls. "And I'm gonna show you a few things girl I don't think even the Jedi Whelp knows about- sticking some asshole with a knife so you don't end up tossed to the ground and fracked in the rear."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
"This is private property. By what authority do you trespass on this estate?"
"Jedi authority," Skye said. "I am here to speak with Ahlan Matale."
"You hare come from the Jedi Council? Master Matale wishes to speak with you. I will inform him you are here. Remain at this location, until he arrives."
The droid turned around on ungainly stiff legs and meandered into the domicile only to reappear moments later with his master in tow. Ahlan Matale bore the same sour expression he held whilst in the Council chambers.
"My protocol droid tells me you are here on behalf of the Council. I was beginning to think my demands had been ignored. Though I think your time would be better spent interrogating the Sandrals as to the whereabouts of my son Shen!" His voice was just as grating and demanding as the first-time Skye had heard it.
"Why are you so certain the Sandrals are to blame?" The Nagai mustered with as much cordiality as she could.
"Many years ago, I brought my family here to Dantooine to escape the crush of humanity on the Core worlds. Soon after we settled here the Sandrals arrived. They've been a plague upon my house ever since."
"Sir I imagine the story from the Sandrals would sound just about the same." Carth said.
"Don't you..." Matale stopped as he saw the glare in the Jedi's eyes. "The injustices of the Sandrals against the Matales are far too numerous to name. But the Council is well aware of our many disputes. Recently I discovered several Sandral droids trespassing on my land."
"What were they doing here?"
"I have no idea what nefarious purpose lay behind their arrival. My own assassination perhaps, destruction of my properties, maybe a simple spy mission. I was about to find out when my own security droids destroyed the invaders. Not a single one survived. It was shortly after this incident that Shen, my only son and heir to the Matale estate, vanished. Obviously Nurik, the unscrupulous head of the Sandral clan, has abducted my son in retaliation for the destruction of his droids."
"You're jumping to conclusions." Skye said
"Why does the Council insist on stalling? The life of my son is at stake! It's possible… yes of course... I am a man of the world Jedi, I know how things are done. I will make a 'contribution' of a thousand credits to the Council in exchange for rescuing Shen from the Sandrals. I will present the credits directly to you of course..."
"Skye took a menacing step forward. "I DO NOT WANT MONEY!" she roared causing Matale to stumble back. "The Sith are rampaging whole worlds, Darth Malak just obliterated Taris and you want me to play pissing games with you and another old shit when the galaxy is at war? The only reason I am out here is goodwill."
"My son is gone. That is a fact, Jedi! I will... not sit idly by much longer. I will raze the entire Sandral estate if I must."
"You are willing to risk open war over this?" Carth asked
"It's the Sandrals that started this, not I."
"And here I thought you would blame us if we failed. It seems everyone is responsible for your actions but yourself."
"I don't need to stand here and listen to such impertinence! Until you find Shen we have nothing further to discuss. I suggest you hurry south to their estate lest I take matters into my own hands." Matale turned away and stormed back into his estate.
"I'm impressed Carth, your interjection was very intuitive," Bastila said. "Almost Jedi like."
"What can I say, you pick a few things up." He shrugged.
Bastila turned back to Skye who was barely containing her seething emotions. "I fear Ahlan Matale is not just making idle threats. He's rash and foolish enough to order a full assault on the Sandral estate. Such action will result in open war between the two families."
"I've seen men like Ahlan Matale before. He's so convinced that his hatred is justified that he is prepared to do anything if we don't do anything and there will be war," he said as if knowing Skye was thinking to let the two men fight it out. In the great galactic scheme of things, they were not but ants.
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
Getting to the Sandral Estate didn't take long, especially with the way Skye was driving her swoop bike as if she was on a track rather than on the open prairie. However, along the way they were diverted by the sounds of gunfire. It wasn't constant but came in irregular beats.
"Sounds like a hunting party." Carth said as he listened to the broken firing pattern.
"I sent Canderous and the kids out here, maybe it's them." Skye said. "Mission hasn't called in via comm so she can't be in any real trouble."
"Would she radio if Ordo was with her though?" Bastila asked.
Skye gave her a look that said: 'of course she would.'
"Guess you are right. You seemed to have become her patron Jedi Knight in glimmering robes." Bastila teased lightly.
"Meh. Whatta' ya going to do?" Skye said nonchalantly. "Come on, let's see what our hunters are up to," she looked to the utility belt. "Go incognito, I want to see this without them knowing it."
"Why?" Carth asked, there was no disguising the hint of suspicion in his voice.
"Because I want to see if it is Ordo out there with Mission and Big Z. I want to see what he does with two street rats used to living it rough. Both of them are survivors yes, but they're not warriors. Not even Zaalbar despite being a Wookiee. Ordo is pure warrior and I want to see if he will uplift the weaker of us or will he abandon them in a fire fight because he sees them as a liability? Will he use them as front line fodder or will he make use of their skills and better them for it. The only way to see that is to observe it without them knowing it."
Bastila saw something of Revan in the orders. She knew her one-time lover had done similar things when she had taken charge of survival classes for Younglings. She wanted to see if the weaker ones would be uplifted and aided by the more dominant, more talented of the acolytes. Hers was the only class that season to pass all her students at a hundred percent, because she demanded complete unification of her charges. Each talent could be utilized no matter how seemingly insignificant- if used in conjunction with another's skill set it created strength, to do less was to accept failure within the ranks. Revan had made it perfectly clear in the minds of her Youngling students that summer, if one failed, they all failed, no exception.
"One fails all fail." Bastila murmured.
Skye nodded, "Precisely." She turned and gave a pointed look to Onasi. "I must be able to trust each person on this team and they must in turn trust each other or this won't work." Her eyes turned a chilling blue. "I need to know I can trust Ordo. The best way to do that is to watch him work with the untrained when he doesn't know he's being watched."
"And if he can't be trusted?" challenged the Republic Commander.
"Like anyone else who isn't trustworthy he won't get on my ship," the former Dark Lord said making point clear. "If Mission and Zaalbar can trust the Old Man, then I know I can. But at the same time the Mandy needs to know he can trust us to cover him in battle- that he can rely on this team."
This time Carth was wise enough to keep his mouth shut about his issues of trust. He absent-mindedly touched the scar on his neck where the honour blade had sliced him. He was smart enough to know now that it would probably be his tongue- not enemy fire- that would kill him.
The Jedi team advanced over the next ridge on their bellies, though if anyone were to look they would not see them as they were all wearing stealth belts with audio dampeners, though the latter function wasn't activated which would make communication impossible. Upon reaching the crest they could see in the plains below Canderous was keeping watch with his heavy riffle as he had Zaalbar and Mission in a crossfire positions over a den of kath hounds. He was barking orders to Mission on how to time her shots perfectly, to view one laser bolt as a hundred. To Zaalbar who was already proficient with his bowcaster, to use the prototype vibro-sword Ravensong had found way back on the Endar Spire but had given to the Wookiee once she started lightsaber training. Mission already had her own sword and also found a smaller blade on one of the Mandalorian Raiders they had killed here on Dantooine.
"Why is Zaalbar using a sword?" Carth whispered.
"You're a solider Onasi surely you can understand that the reliance upon a single weapon is inadvisable." Bastila answered. "It is wise for him to hone underdeveloped skills."
Skye was grinning, she approved of Canderous' impromptu boot camp. She had been too preoccupied with her own training to take a vested interest in her young wards' progression in their combat skills. But an idea formed in her head that during their forthcoming journey she could take Mission aside in the cargo bay and teach her a few tricks with a sword. No one but a Jedi knew more about blades than a Nagai. They were called Knives even as a slur for a reason.
Skye was pulled back from the conversation by Mission's cry of discovery. "Hey Grandpa Candy I found something!" She made a sour face.
"I TOLD you never call me that!" Canderous roared, his face as red as a Sith's lightsaber.
"Yeah well I'm gonna keep calling ya that until you stop calling me kid!" Mission spouted defiantly back.
On the hilltop Carth was practically rolling around on the grass laughing himself silly as he repeated in a mocking school boy tone, "Grandpa Candy! Grandpa Candy oh that's too rich. "
"Fine you little shit, I won't call you kid, I'm calling you brat!" Ordo growled.
Mission stuck her tongue out and gave the fierce Mandalorian a raspberry. "What'ever."
"Remember this you little street rat you call me Grandpa Candy one more time, I'll take you over my knee and..."
Zaalbar growled putting his body between his best friend and the ageing mercenary. "You don't want me swatting her hairball, then keep her in line." Canderous growled back. He might not know the Wookiee's native language but he knew enough about the great giants that once you cower before them you forever lost their respect. "What did you find brat?" he turned his attention to the blue skinned teenager.
Mission apparently knew when to push and when to pull back as her answer was straight up. "A body and eww it's been really really pre-chewed," her boot kicked at a hound pile. "Oh, this is so gross, judging by what's left of his clothes I think I found our spoiled little richy."
"That's our queue." Ravensong said. She deactivated the stealth belt and descended down the slope by leaping down the embankments ten meters at a time.
Zaalbar and Canderous were the first to hear the Jedi approach, they raised their guns at the intrusion ready to fire but lowered them when they registered it was a friendly.
"Figures you show up now, Whelp" Canderous jibbed.
"Just passing through, Old Man. Heard you found a juicy one."
"Must you?" Bastila chastised the poor choice of words.
"How about 'chew toy'?" Offered Ordo.
"Leftovers." Zaalbar put in.
"Uhg." Bastila shook her head frowning. "Why do I even bother?"
"You're a glutton for punishment, Princess." Ravensong teased laughing. "Just look at that pinched face, you look like a schoolmarm, either that or you're trying to impersonate Master Vandar."
The Jedi Sentinel sighed, she should have known better than to feed Nagai's childish nature by baiting her by with disciplinary words. It only encouraged her and by proxy the others who eagerly followed her example. The only way out now was to change the subject. "What did you find Mission?"
"A gooey body covered in hound poodoo," the Twi'lek answered. "And yeah the body or what's left of looks a lot like a chew toy."
Bastila looked at the body and grimaced, 'chew toy' didn't half cover the description of the mutilated corpse. All of the entrails were gone as were the limbs, though there seemed to be bits and pieces left over and most of the torso was so gnawed upon the only part left was food for the insects now nesting in it. What was left of the head was barely recognizable as human. Only her Jedi training allowed Bastila to overcome the nausea she felt rise within her. She tasted bile in her throat but forced it way with sheer willpower.
"Oh gods, I think I'm going to be sick." Carth groaned and looked away looking as green as the Jedi Bolook.
Skye meandered over to the scrap pile and shared Bastila's expression of disgust. Something glinted in the refuse. A quick wave of her hand caused the piles of dung, bones and rotting meat to shift aside like some mythic parting of a miniature sea.
"Looks like there's a journal," she said as she picked it up and shook off the maggots and beetles.
"EWWW!" Mission groaned and promptly vomited. "That's as grotty as Fido's glop pile. Why can't it ever be something nice-like flowers or or or plush toys? Why does it always have to be gross stuff?"
"Nature of the universe," came a quick reply from Ravensong. "Things you look for and need will always, always be difficult to find and generally involve gross crap to dig through."
"Unfortunately, that is more true than not." Bastila agreed. "So, did the pad belong Matale's son?"
The raven-haired Nagai shook her head. "Negative. It belongs to someone named Casus Sandral."
"I get the feeling this makes things a hell of a lot more difficult." Carth commented.
"Indeed. If things were not difficult between the two families already this will make things nearly impossible," Bastila sighed. "And this is going to need a delicate hand." She pointedly gave Skye a look that said 'behave'.
"What?" the older woman shrugged. "I can do delicate when I need to." She waltzed up to her counterpart and gave her an odd counter-look of defiance. "All part of being a scout. You play a role, infiltrate when needed and milk all potential contacts for Intel. The more subtle you are the more successful you are. A noticed scout is a dead scout."
Bastila froze where she stood. Was there inference in that remark? Her mind floated through the bond she shared with the other woman but found walls around the Nagai's deeper consciousness. The block made Bastila all the more concerned; she knew Skye was referencing something else. Did Skye know the truth? How could she? Surely the Masters had not let slip anything vital. Or maybe Skye had picked something up from their connection? Had the bond shown the former Dark Lord things, shown her the true fate of Revan? What about the dreams of the fight Bastila had with Revan on the fallen Jedi's old flagship, had they revealed to Skye the veiled truth?
Skye always said it was like watching the scene unfold as if she was in third person, like watching a home-vid of yourself only you're not actually one of the players. Bastila shoved down her immediate thoughts least Skye pick up them. The Nagai gave her a queer smirk before she turned her back and headed up the hillock to where they had parked the swoop bikes.
"Daylight is burning Princess, Flyboy, get a move on," the former Dark-Lord called out. "Oh and good job guys. Canderous keep up with their training."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
Like the Matale droid the Sandral gate-droid rattled off that the land was private property and then riddled them by their rights of trespass. It got the same answer as well, its reaction however could not have been more different.
"The Council? If you are here about the Shen Matale disappearance you are wasting your time. The Sandrals are not involved. This is nothing but a Matale witch hunt."
Skye had had enough. Green lighting shot out and obliterated the droid into a thousand sparks and drops of metallic shrapnel.
"That was... effective." Carth said. "I thought you said you can do delicate."
"I don't do delicate with clankers."
Teethree made a worried bleep.
"Present company excluded of course little buddy." Skye patted the astromech droid on his cylindrical head.
There was a pleased almost joyful beeping in respond.
"The Jedi are not in league with the Matales! Nurik, I will speak with you now! Teethree, open that door." Skye roared loud enough that someone inside had to have heard it.
The astromech droid bleeped a reply and proceeded to obey its master.
As the metallic pneumatic door slid open, another protocol droid was within the hall- it nervously looked to the Jedi and back the way it came.
"Summon your master, droid." Ravensong said darkly.
"He is on his way Master Jedi." This one was a touch more cordial as well, perhaps more out of fear that it would share the same fate as its twin should it press the Nagai Jedi.
"I have been informed by my protocol droid that you want wish to speak to me?" Nurik started haughtily. "You of course realize I will demand reimbursement for the destruction of my property."
Skye ignored the demand and took a step forward. In her hand was the bloody data pad. "I am sorry Mr. Sandral your son is dead we have seen his body."
This shook the man to his core whatever response he had to the Jedi's impertinence died on his tongue upon hearing her next words. "Casus? Is dead?" His eyes grew dark with sorrow. "I was afraid of this. Yet in my heart I knew it. What... what happened to my son?"
Skye looked remorseful, taking pity on the old man she said in a soft tone, "He was killed by kath hounds while exploring the old ruins."
This shocked the human. "Kath hounds? I... I was so certain the Matale family was to blame!" He sighed, "but this changes nothing. My own son is dead, why should I show compassion to my bitter enemy over the disappearance of his son?"
"Because you know what it is like to feel this kind of loss." Skye said gently. "The sins of the fathers should not touch the children."
"Typical," Bastila said chiding the stubborn land baron; there was no pity in her cold, disapproving voice. "He wants to continue the feud just because he is so very customary to it."
Sandral looked for a moment as if he was questioning his own beliefs, but it was only a flicker of emotion like a mote of dust caught in the air. Seen one moment gone the very next. "I must ask you something. Though it is difficult for me. My son had a diary, his private personal thoughts. Now that he is gone, I have nothing else to remember him by. Please, the diary means more to me than it ever could to you. I will give you a hundred..." tears were shining in the man's eyes.
"No need. Here, take it." Skye surrendered the pad.
"I thank you for this." He clutched it to his breast as if it were a precious life. "The diary is all I have left of my son," he swallowed hard and started to disappear. "We have nothing further to discuss, please leave me to my grief."
As soon as he left a young woman appeared, the remembrance was remarkable, another Sandral offspring no doubt. "You are here from the Council are you not?" she said stopping in front of the trio. "Looking for Shen Matale?"
Despite the resemblance, Skye was not about to speak to the girl until she presented herself. "Who are you?"
"My name is Rahasia, Nurik is my father. He has not been himself since my brother Casus disappeared. He is mad with grief and he is convinced the Matales are responsible. He is not thinking rationally."
This does not bode well. "Did he have anything to do with Shen?"
"My father is a good man," Rahasia pleaded. "When my mother died, he raised me and my brother by himself. He loves his children and we love him. I just don't want you to judge him too harshly."
"Judge him?" A frown. "What has he done?"
"You must understand. My father has been under a terrible strain. I have no wish to disobey him, but there are matters where even my father's authority are not absolute."
This was looking more and more grim. "Please tell me what has happened." Skye processed the words spoken and those that were not.
Ashamed the young girl continued. "My father has kidnapped Shen. He is holding him prisoner here in the compound. He feels this is a way to get back at Ahlan for the disappearance of my brother Casus."
"I see." Bastila said. "Well there is the answer that we seek. The Jedi Council should be informed of this at once."
"You don't think perhaps there is more to look at here?" Carth argued "That maybe everything is not as it appears?" he gave a calculated look to the young woman, then to the way Skye was studying her.
"Of course, not. It seems very simple to me. The Council must be allowed to decide to take the next step," Bastila said firmly.
"NO!" Rahasia shook her head imploringly desperate. "When Casus went missing my father became unstable. He might hurt him... Shen if you do that. Father no longer cares if the Matales are reasonable for what happened to Casus. I am afraid my father will simply kill him out of a mad and misguided lust for vengeance."
Skye surprised herself that she was actually siding with Carth on this. The body language from the human girl was more than enough to tell her there was a far deeper story here. "There are bigger things here," Skye said still scrutinizing Rahasia. "Why are you telling us of this?"
"Shen is an innocent victim in all of this. My father is not a bad man but his grief has driven him to madness," she repeated. "He must be stopped. Please find Shen and rescue him before my father does something we will all regret forever," she begged.
Skye nodded causing the woman-child to smile just slightly. "I will take you to the prison, but I cannot let my father see me with you. Take this key, it will open the unguarded door at the rear of the estate. You and Shen can make your escape through there. Be careful, there are many security detail droids guarding the halls. I don't think you will be able to take care of them as you did the one out front."
The Nagai smiled a little at that last comment.
Feeling bold, Rahasia grabbed Skye's arms and once more pleased. "Please hurry you are Shen's only hope."
"Place your fear aside," Skye said taping in to the power of the Force as she willed the command into the younger woman's mind. The human let go of the Jedi's arms and took a step back. "What is it between your families?" the Jedi pressed, this time she did not use the Force to will compliance.
"Ahlan Matale and my father have had problems ever since they had settled on this world. To hear my father tell it, Ahlan is a brute and a bully and a vicious one. He believes that his money gives him the right to crush anyone and roll over normal people. My father stands up to Ahlan because no one else will. And now he thinks Ahlan has taken my brother Casus and has imprisoned Shen as revenge."
"But he was killed by kath hounds." Carth said.
"It doesn't matter," the girl shook her head.
"Why do you care so much about Shen, Rahasia?" Skye pushed. She gathered it was going to be the obvious star-crossed lover thing but she needed the girl to say it if only to gage the true sincerity behind the words and feelings.
"Shen and I... well we've been raised by our families to hate each other just for being related to our fathers. But then I met Shen alone one day in the city, away from his father," She smiled, her eyes twinkling warmly. "And Shen was so charming and sweet and nice... and handsome... and he didn't care at all that I was a Sandral," her voice held a dreamy quality. "He just accepted me for who I was with no reservations. We talked and met again over many months and fell in love." She smiled broadly. "My brother Casus met him too and they hit it off. They were beginning to become friends," the smile faded as a deep sadness washed over Rahasia. "Then this whole mess had to happen." She held her hands close to her chest. "Please find Shen. You are my only hope!"
"We will go but I need the security override for the droids and computer systems and a layout of your house would also be beneficial."
"But if I do that my father will know I gave them to you."
"Rahasia, he will know something is up the moment Shen is gone. You want to save your lover or not? Now is not the time to be a pansy-assed milk drinker." Skye said firmly. "Give us the codes so we can save your guy."
"Oh... okay," the girl said, "I guess you're right, here- I can give a blue print of the house to your droid and allow him access to the terminal over there. It would help with the security systems, unless Father changed them in the secure wing."
"If he did, we can slice the systems but it will be easier going if he had some sort of access." Skye's voice reclaimed her earlier gentleness.
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
The companions encountered no impediments on the way to the estate's rear entrance. Carth was about to use the keycard Rahasia gave them but Skye held her fist up in military sign to stop- freezing Carth instantly.
"She closed her eyes and stretched out her mind. The Force allowed her to see past the door into the room just beyond. "No immediate life signs close. I can sense droids; two right at the entrance looking at it and another two patrolling."
Bastila was more than impressed. She always had a difficult time sensing the presence of mechanical signatures such as droids. Skye seemed to be able to do it with ease. Then again Revan had a unique talent for the mechanical and robotics.
"Teethree check for any unusual electronic signatures," the Jedi Padawan ordered. If Sandral was as paranoid as his daughter made him out to be then the whole place could be wired with some very nasty traps.
Her hesitation was awarded with confirmation by the astromech's whirling beep. "That's just great." She turned back to the others and explained. "He says there are two proximity gas mines near the door.
"If the droids don't get you the mine will make sure you have a seriously bad day," quipped Onasi. "This isn't a simple snatch and grab."
"Is it ever easy?" Skye jibbed back. "Keep cloaked and use the audio dampers- no need to make our presence known if we don't have to. As soon as the door opens, Teethree I want you to transmit a short energy pulse to jam the sensors on the mines, then I want you to find the security station, shut down all security mechs and cameras. If that girl's codes don't work, then slice it. I want to avoid as much attention as possible.
"Carth deactivate the mines after Teethree blinds them then cover our six and make sure our egress stays clear. Bas you and I take out the droids guarding the door and on patrol."
No one questioned the orders; it was as if following them was as natural as drawing in breath to the lungs.
The door slid open and Teethree emitted the pulse so Carth could creep forward and disarm the mines. Of course, the little astromech droid cold have disarmed them as well but Skye's multi-tasking scheme was better implemented if the droid didn't pause. His sensors alerted the droid to the mines locations allowing him to easily negotiate around them and head for the office as directed. As the little guy wasn't equipped with stealth capabilities he had to rely on his skills to manipulate any droid he passed into believing he belonged there.
The droids near the door stopped and pointed their assault rifles at Teethree but he hooted and bleeped at them with an indignant tone causing them to withdraw.
Carth made quick work of defusing the mines; the whole process took less than a minute. Skye had been holding her breath the whole time only releasing it when she heard her radio click, the equivalent of an invisible thumbs up from Onasi.
Ravensong and Bastila moved to either side of the entrance, backs pressed against the exterior wall of the building. Carth remained crouched lower, in line with the door a few meters away. Three lightsabers ignited: one black, one green and the other yellow.
The droids turned to the sound of the weapons coming to life but that was the only movement they made as blurs of defused mass and light surged forward. Lightsabers whirled and two metallic heads fell, bounced on the floor and rolled half a meter from their bodies which crumpled to earth seconds later.
The patrolling security droids moved towards the sounds of the conflict. They were just bringing their weapons into firing positions when Skye brought up her hand, holding the droid fast with the power of the Force. Laser bolts were blocked, weapons were knocked aside and the remaining droid was reduced to scrap metal.
Teethree rolled into the security room. One of the droids turned. "Hey you, you are not permitted in here!"
Teethree spat out a series of harsh bleeps, tweets and whistles that shocked the security droid.
"Switch off?! I will not switch off you over-weight glob of grease," the droid reached for his blaster riffle. "Who do you think you are?"
Teethree whirpled a sharp reply just as he opened one of his ports revealing a prong that sent a series of ion bolts into the taller droid's chassis and destroyed the enemy's shields. The bipedal droid shuttered. Unable to move, the droid was completely vulnerable to the electro-shock blasts. It toppled face forward onto the floor.
Teethree moved away from his downed foe with a beep of elation over his success. His next target was the computer terminal. He linked with it and started the override commands. The codes Rahasia gave the companions seemed to still be in operation. It was only a matter of seconds before the little silver astromech droid shut down all the cameras and security droids and opened all locked doors. He whirled away from the panel and tweeted into his internal comm-unit directly to his master.
Ravensong nodded. "Got it, thanks and good job Teethree," she got a happy whirpled bleep in reply. She hit the audio dampers on her stealth-belt so she could be heard as she spoke to the others. "Teethree's in, we won't have any more trouble. He caught sight of our target before he shut down the cameras; I have the nav point locked. Let's go get this kid." She deactivated her belt completely and started down the corridors.
A moment later both Bastila and Carth followed suit. They passed several deactivated droids all slumped over from the shoulders down. Ravensong wasn't going to take any chances with them suddenly becoming active once more, she began to liberally behead one after the other.
"Is there a point to this reckless destruction of property?" Bastila asked of the former Dark Lord.
"Yes," came an answer and for a moment it appeared that was all the explanation she was going to deliver. "They will be a threat if activated during our escape, I have no intention of allowing that."
"Sound plan." Carth nodded in approval. "Though I doubt Sandral will like the fact more of his droids are destroyed."
Skye gave him a look that said: 'ask me if I care.'
"Very well." Bastila said softly, she didn't exactly approve but she understood the logic behind it. Their escape would be that much easier if droids were completely rendered inert.
It took less time finding the boy than the trio expected. As Teethree promised the doors had all been unlocked. And there was only one proximity mine placed in front of the doors which Carth deactivated with deft aptitude. Once the mine was gone, Ravensong opened the door and entered the cell.
"Who are you what do you want?" the young man demanded as he lept from the bed he had been resting upon. "So, you work for my father."
"Take a good look boy." Skye said. "Do we look like goons your father would hire?"
Shen saw the lightsabers and seemed to relax his posturing stance a little. "Jedi?"
"Yes, and we're here to rescue you. Let's go." Skye pointed her thumb over her shoulder impatiently.
"No." Shen shook his head. "I won't leave here. It's too dangerous."
"Stop being such a coward. I'll protect your pampered little ass, now let's go." Arms folded over the Nagai's chest.
"No, you misunderstand. It's not my own safety I'm concerned about the fate of Nurik's daughter Rahasia," he said in a softer tone. "She's been trying to convince her father to release me ever since I was captured. If I escape now Nurik will think Rahasia is to blame. He's..."
"Yes yes I know." Skye all but rolled her eyes. "Insane with grief over the loss of his male heir- his boy Casus."
"So then you know if I leave with you, Rahasia will suffer... I will not allow that." He crossed his arms as if to make himself more imposing.
"What's the deal with you two anyway?" Skye asked, her tone demanding.
"I was taught to hate the Sandrals. To think of them as evil and subhuman. My father said Sandrals are nothing but thieves and liars who followed him here to Dantooine just to steal what he has earned from himself. My father is an egotist and can be violent at times. Rahasia father seems to be falling into the same pattern as mine. They are both unreasonable.
"But the moment I saw Rahasia one day in the city market I knew my father was wrong. She was like an angel, all white silks and perfume, seemingly able to float above the crowds. I don't know what else I could have done but fall in love with her. For months, I wooed her, trying to win her heart. I believe I have succeeded and now this has happened." The kid unfolded his defiant arms and slumped on to the bed. "Our families are always coming between us in one way or another," he snapped frustrated. "Please, please find her. I would rather face my own death than have any harm come to..."
"Why the two of you must be so overly dramatic is beyond me." Skye said, and as swiftly as a viper strikes she snapped out her hand and caught the kid by the ear.
He let out a surprised yelp of shock and pain. "Hey!" he tied to take her hand away but her grip was too strong and it was rather painful from the grimace on his face. The shock of surprise on both Bastila and Carth was priceless. "Let go of me!"
"Listen up little punk and listen good. I'm not some toady or hireling your pampered ass is used to bossing around. And I am not about to run back and forth like some bloody youngling in class and tug on your girlfriend's hair and pass fracking lovey-dovey notes. You're both coming now. If you two want to run away together and live happily ever fracking after, fine by me but I'm not playing this gods damn game, got it drama king?"
"Okay okay just let GO!" he tried futilely to pull away but it was of no use, the more he struggled, the harder Skye pinched.
"Sure, scream your bloody head off human and bring the whole house down around our ears." Skye snapped crossly.
"You sure have a way with kids, Ravensong," Carth laughed though he touched his own ear in sympathy.
"Please let go," the boy managed in a more subdued squeak.
"No, not until we get to Rahasia's door. I know what you're planning boy and no one is playing martyr today." Skye pulled the young man behind her like a misbehaving youngling and moved swiftly around the corridors to the room Rahasia had secreted herself in.
"What on earth?" Rahasia said when she saw the foursome.
"She has my ear," the Matale boy whined, pointing out the bluntly obvious position he was in.
Skye let go of her catch. "Happy now?"
The young Matale boy glowered at the Jedi rubbing his very red ear. "Did you have to yank so hard?"
"Why did you have him like that anyway?" Rahasia asked as she touched the soar area tenderly trying to offer comfort to her lover.
"No time for lengthy explanations your boyfriend here wouldn't budge until we got you out too, now both of you MOVE it!" ordered the former Dark Lord shoving both youngsters out of bedroom and into the hall.
Negotiating the way out didn't take as long as navigating the path in, granted there were no proximity mines in play nor patrol droids. Once outside the human lovers looked at one another in relief. They hugged tightly.
"Shen you're safe." Rahasia kissed her lover's still red ear gently.
They both looked to the Jedi who had freed them. "Thank you master Jedi. We would never have managed to get this far at all without your help. You've done so much for us" the girl crooned gleefully before throwing her arms around the Jedi in question.
Skye shrugged as if to say it was no problem and pushed herself gently out of the embrace.
"Now, we know you three—er four went to great personal risk to get us out of the estate undetected." Shen touched his ear obviously having forgiven her for grabbing him as she had. "Surely we can do something in return..." He paused as he saw his father riding into the estate with several well-armed mechs. Ahlan looked ready for all-out war, he was even dressed in light but heavily modded armour.
"There you are Shen!" Matale said jumping out of the skycar. As soon as his overpriced custom-made rancor leather shoes hit the pavement he was storming directly for his son.
"Father...?" Shen looked at the droids and back to his lover then to the Jedi.
Skye's hands hovered over the hilts of her lightsabers; an action not gone unnoticed by the other Jedi.
Carth was looking behind him as the doors to the estate opened with Sandral, in near identical armour and as many droids equally well armed, appeared.
"This is bad," the pilot said realizing that he and the two Jedi as well as the kids were directly in the middle of it all. When and if things got ugly there was no way to not get hit by crossfire- and the Sandral and Matale patriarchs were so filled with loathing for each other they did not seem to care that they were basically firing squads for their own children. Skye and Bastila turned back to back, ready to take out the mechs if necessary, their bodies pulsating with the raw power of the Force.
Before names could be tossed about like careless accusations, Skye through her voice out, loud and clear as a thunder clap. "ENOUGH!"
No one moved, no one dared to breathe.
"Everyone not a Jedi or a Commander of the Republic navy drop your weapons now!" It was a command that could not be disobeyed. Her right hand cracked with green lighting. "Any droid not complying will be scrapped. COMPLY!"
The patriarchs obeyed. The droids obeyed.
"That's better," the Nagai said after a moment. "Now let's be civilized."
"This is all your doing." Ahlan pointed to Nurik, "I... I knew you had captured my son! See Jedi, he has my son. Arrest him. Arrest him now!" it was obvious he thought his voice had the same strength of will the Jedi's had.
"You had taken my Casus from me long before that! You started it."
"I don't want to hear any more of your excuses..." Ahlan roared back.
"I said Enough!" Skye snarled. "Bastila?"
"Absolutely." She stretched out her hand and lifted Ahlan Matale off the ground as Ravensong did to Nurik Sandral.
Both men screamed profanities out at the indignant violation of their pride. Both Shen and Rahasia squeaked in their own shock at seeing their imposing fathers rendered completely impotent by the Jedi.
The droids of both families went for their guns but Teethree and Carth both gave off warning shots. "I wouldn't do that." Onasi cautioned, his words were backed up with a strong bleep from the astromech. "See he agrees. Good boy Teethree."
The droids remained still. It was so very odd to see immovable metal faces look so utterly confounded and so lost for direction.
"She said civilized talks." Bastila said looking directly as Matale. "Petulant threats are not civilized."
"You two need to calm down. Until you promise that, you stay where you are." Skye ordered.
"Please listen to her father." Shen pleaded to his father. He didn't think anyone was as stubborn as his father, but then again, he never crossed a Jedi before either. Today was an obvious day of firsts for the young lad.
"Why should I listen to the Jedi?" Matale defiantly refused to capitulate even suspended above the earth as he was. "All you want is to remain with that Sandral harlot!"
"My daughter is not a harlot!" Sandral roared. His shaking fist was more comical was he was still suspended in the air. "You Matale dog!"
Skye and Bastila looked at each other then brought their hands together causing their floating captives to crack heads together.
"Oah!"
"Ohh."
"Clam down now!" the Nagai threatened. "I have exactly no time for this."
"We will only let you down IF you behave like adults and not younglings throwing temper tantrums." Bastila scolded. "Or do we need to give you two a time out?"
"I hear the holding cells at the enclave are nice enough, maybe they can share a cell together right across from the two murders we put in there earlier," Carth offered.
"Oh, excellent idea." Skye nodded. "I swear there must be something in the water for the populous of Dantooine to behave like inbred yahoos. I mean think about it: two idget galoots try to lie to Jedi to get away with murder now these two sleemos are bickering like kiddies in the playground over who has the best toy. Really? Seriously?"
"Prison. Yes, excellent idea. We can charge them both with mental badgering and Mr. Sandral with kidnapping and false imprisonment and Mr. Matale with warmongering and conspiracy to commit murder," Bastila started.
The patriarchs of the Sandral and Matale estates knew their cards had been played out. There was no back dealings; no reshuffling of the deck... they had lost their ground and only now did they fully realize it.
"WE are trying to be reasonable here of course." Sandral said at last rubbing the spot on his head where it clashed with Matale's. He at least recognized the precarious predicament he was in. "We are sensible people after all."
Skye was expressionless. But she lowered her captive down as did Bastila.
Matale, still looking like a spoiled bully, spouted. "Our children are... they are just stubborn. If Shen would just realize he has to do what I want this would all be solved easily."
"Phft..." Skye made a sound of disbelief. "Shen is capable of making his decisions on his own. Honestly, he's over what, over twenty years of age?"
"But he is my son! I don't want to lose him!" the older Matale whined sounding remarkably like his son only moments ago, when Skye had the kid by his ear.
"You are losing him if you continue on this path." Ravensong said evenly.
"And I won't let my daughter go with him!" Sandral barked.
"Children grow up and leave eventually." Skye bluntly retorted.
Sandral did not see a grown woman, he saw a six-year-old girl with pigtails and skinned knees. "My little Rahasia."
"Father..." She said softly.
"I don't know why we go like this," Sandral said addressing Matale. "We got along in the beginning, didn't we Ahlan?"
"I don't know how you can think of that when we have our children trying to go away together," the other man snarled.
"Well it wouldn't be so bad, would it?" Sandral said thinking about his daughter. "Shen seems to genuinely care for my Rahasia. He might be a good husband... for her someday."
"Humph!" Ahlan growled. "As much as I may dislike it, I may see the appeal of them together."
"Good. Then you will allow them to stay together?" Ravensong said her tone warning them they had best continue this more civilized tone of conversation.
Matale dropped his arms and nodded "I suppose I could be convinced to see that Sandral girl with my son, if she is loyal to him. But I don't trust you a centimetre further old man," he snapped at Sandral loathing him for the sake of it. His love for his hate for the Sandals almost overcoming him once more. "Your daughter may treat Shen well but you will never SEE them! They will Live with ME!"
"Of course, not you pompous old windbag! They will Live with me!" Sandral jabbed his thumb into his own chest.
"Compromise." Sky warned.
"I will not have them set foot in a Sandral household!" Matale stomped his foot.
"They shall not be with the Matales!" Sandral thrust his hands out in an exaggerated stance of refusal.
Taking a page out of the Nagai Jedi's book Rahasia a took a step between the posturing males. "Then you propose to buy us our own lands and our own estate. In the middle of both properties."
"Yes, with a set equal budget that Rahasia and I set." Shen said taking a bolder stand as he put his arm around his beloved. "And if you don't, you two will never see US again as we will leave Dantooine."
"Shared or not at all." Rahasia finished. "Your choice fathers."
Good girl Skye thought.
"A separate estate. Yes! That sounds like a good idea." Sandral said.
"Yes, it does sound like a good idea." Matale nodded sounding for once descent. "That plot of land that..."
"Connects ours with the brook and the grove of trees. It's small," Sandral finished the thought.
"But perfect for them. We should discuss this more."
The men stared talking about the house as they walked back in to the Sandral estate.
Shen let out a puff of held air, his shoulders slumped foreword in relief. "Thank you master Jedi for bringing us all together and making our parents accepts us."
"I never thought it would be possible." Rahasia took Skye's hand and shook it vigorously before doing the same to Bastila's. "We will praise your names to the Council for what you have done and name our children after you both!" Unable to contain her joy she wrapped her arms around Bastila then around Skye then lastly around Onasi. "We will remember you three always."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
Back at the Enclave.
Vandar walked up to Skye smiling impishly. "I have heard the Sandrals and the Matales have agreed to cooperate in the construction of a new estate to house their children. Apparently, the son of one family and the daughter of the other are getting married," his smile broadened. "I also hear we have you to thank for this happy occurrence," he nodded approvingly. "I am glad you are using the authority of our Order we have given you to achieve some measure of good. Master Bolook also commented on how well you'd conducted the murder investigation. He says you wield an uncanny mind for ferreting out deceit and investigation."
Ravensong turned to the Grand Master. "I listen to the sounds of the Living Force, Master. And I was made a scout for a reason, the body tells me much as does the unspoken word and those that are spoken and say nothing in their utterance. Some words are so clouded, some actions so blurred it would be easy to follow them and think them truth. I have learned my focus determines my reality. Do you not agree with this precept Master?"
"Spoken like a true Jedi, young one indeed it is," the aged Grand Master answered softly. "I foresee you will become a powerful Jedi," the Master titled his head.
"Thank you Master." Skye bowed. "With your permission, I wish begin preparations for the trip into the ruins."
"Yes of course. May the Force be with you young Ravensong."