Chapter 43
Incompetence!
Complete and utter incompetence!
Malak stormed Bandon's quarters. Rage coursed through his body like the rakghoul plague. Burning—consuming all thought. Unable to hold back or unwilling to any longer, he drew his lightsaber and slammed it again and again into Bandon's computer terminal, desk, and dresser – the bulkheads relentlessly reducing the quarters into nothing but rubble. Smoke coiled around the destroyed furniture and computer like the tentacles of a sarlacc's maw. Red hot detritus flew in all directions pelting down upon the metal floor like so much misshapen hail.
Of all the sins and egregious faults in a sentient, incompetence was the worst sin of all. It was unforgivable. The fool Bandon had scraped, conspired, murdered, and slaughtered his way from the Korriban Academy. He gained the eye of Masters Yuthura Ban and Uthar Wynn in turn he had caught the eye of Malak.
The Dark Lord knew exactly what Revan would have said if she laid eyes upon the potential.
'Too much raw power, not enough restraint, no refinement, no finesse. He's undisciplined and uncontrollable. He's nothing more than a hand-grenade. Use him as you must but do not trust the blighter to do anything but bluster though anything.'
And damn the knife-eared bitch if she didn't have the right of it. Bandon hadn't obeyed the commands given him: 'Do not engage Revan in a hand-to-hand melee contest, you will not win. Even if she does not remember being Revan, she is a Nagai. Muscle memory lies within her. Revan was and is the greatest of all duel masters. Use your Force powers against her, not the blade'- simple enough orders.
What did the fool do? Jumped right into the fray, ignoring the commands of his Master all for the attempt to rob glory for himself by besting Revan with his blade. Thrice-cursed fool!
The red-blood blade hissed as it slid home. Now silent- both blade and rage- Malak's mind settled. He was left standing in a mess of his own creation. Ironically, not unlike the days and months following his betrayal of Revan. Admiral Karath, who was already in his pocket, brought the turned Republic officers- now calling themselves Sith- to take the knee. But many of the Dark Jedi were unwilling to follow Malak as they were devoted to Revan, and they wanted vengeance for her death. Several of them left and headed for the hidden academy on Malachor Five. Not all but enough to cause Malak true trouble if they banded together. There were three in particular, but they were of no matter right now. Let them have Malachor Five.
The darkness of that dead world there was all encompassing just as it was on Dromund Kaas. Two years ago Malachor had been the pinnacle of Revan's training facilities. She had developed it not only to turn true Jedi to the Dark Side but to train them in accordance to her will, her doctrine. Yet the Dark Jedi of Malachor—the assassins were like no other Force users.
They were swift, deadly and they were peculiar. Shaped by the Dark Side of what had happened to that world. It had been decimated by Surrik's pet Zabrak's planet killer—the Mass Shadow Generator. That day when it was unleashed the Force changed. Meetra, Revan's pseudo lover, most trusted General and highly talented Knight- changed. She became lost to herself and worst of all to the Force. Somehow Revan knew what was going to happen when that super weapon was let loose. In order to survive Meetra had cut herself off from the Force or she would perish.
Revan knew.
Revan knew about Malachor Five humming immeasurably with the Dark Side of the Force. Revan knew about what it would take to win the war against the Mandalorians.
Revan knew about what it would take to win the war against the Truth Sith beyond the Outer Rim.
What they both saw there... the undead Emperor. The sheer power of the Dark Side on Dromund Kaas was as staggering as it was terrifying. The rest of the galaxy was not prepared for what was to come. For the war with the True Sith would wage upon the core worlds, upon the Republic. Revan had been absolute in her ideology that things had to change, the infrastructure of the Republic needed strengthening, and it meant a terrible culling- a reaping. If the Republic was to survive the mad Emperor of an all-but-forgotten spiral arm of the galaxy, then many things had to change.
'The strong must survive and prevail, to seize power and shepherd the weak so they will give their power to their defenders freely. Their deference will become a great harvest when needed to feed the powerful.
The Jedi can no longer afford the luxury of emotional impotence. We must act with passion, thought, duty and wilfulness. Sacrifice and determination- and above all, heart.
The weak branches of the Republic must be cut down to embolden the infrastructure of Senatorial powers. Worlds must be sacrificed if only to empower the core worlds against what is coming. Alek, our only choice is seize the power of the Republic. The only way to do so is a grand culling. Bleed out the poison. There is only one way to make that possible. We cannot do this as Jedi. We will take the mantle of Darth for ourselves. We must tap into the fullness of the Force- even perhaps especially the Dark Side. We must sacrifice for the better good of our Republic—for them- we must become Sith. Sometimes you have to enter the Darkness to save the Light.
To protect the Republic and the Jedi Order Revan believed absolutely that the Star Forge not only must be found but used to its full potential. She delved deeply into research, history, ancient lore, and the myths of a dozen different planets. She listened to whispers and rumours of dark places. In her hunt, she found a commonality. Something called a Star Forge.
The first of the buried secret devices was ironically on Dantooine.
When the first Star Map was opened, Revan admitted to hearing a howling, and she knew it to be the howl of Darkness. And she knew why: 'If you practice the Force with the fire of hatred, darkness will scream inside your soul.' But what if you could use that howl and turn it towards the Light? Revan believed it could be done. Malak knew better.
Of course, the more immediate problem was to scour the academies for a new potential. Korriban was the most well-known but not the only one. Malachor Five of course held some of the greatest potentials but it futile to go there to find a new apprentice. He needed one he could mould, not one that was ready to become a Master. Beside the triumvirate that ruled that dead world would never allow his trespass without challenge.
No, he'd have to go to Korriban to find an appropriate apprentice. One who was intelligent enough, keen enough, manipulative, and most important of all- very powerful with the Dark Side of the Force. One who obeyed far better than Bandon, who was clearly undeserved of the title Darth.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
After the crushing heat of Tatooine and the oppressive density of Kashyyyk's Shadowlands, the openness of Manaan was quite literally a breath of fresh air even it tasted of salt.
The whole of the upper city was open-aired. After dealing with the port authority in the same manner as she had in the last two docking bays, Revan inhaled the sea air and centred herself. There was a silent hum to the capital city. Life yes, it was all around them, but also the buzz of energy. The traffic of life, death and the Force swirled and churned not unlike the waves crashing against the walls of the city. It was something all four Jedi noticed immediately. For Revan, there was a very strange sensation of familiarity: the cold burn of the Dark Side.
Bastila turned to her lover, her expression schooled but there was deep concern burning in her eyes. Not for evidentiary temptation of the power of the Dark Side, but for what lay in wait for them. Malak was desperate now. He lost his top bounty hunter, more importantly his apprentice, and there were only two more maps to find- the one on Korriban and the last on the unknown planet. The one here on Manaan was located- all that was needed was to collect it. It would make Malak rash, angry and far more dangerous than he has ever been. The Dark Lord would not suffer such humiliation. He was going to retaliate—harshly.
Before they had all departed, T3 had downloaded Ahto City map to HUDs or personal data padds for easy access. It helped to know where in the blazes you were going when in a city not entirely familiar to you.
As she had with the other hanger bays, Skye convinced the Ahto port authority they didn't need to pay the tax. By this time none of the crew raised a fuss or made a comment of the slight misuse of the Force. There were far more important things than trifling with small maters of propriety.
After they left the hanger and trailed down the halls, they encountered a Sith officer antagonizing a Republic officer, trying to bait him into attacking first.
Bastila grinned as she felt her lover formulate a plan. Indeed, Revan took a step forward look at the young Republic solider and shook her head. "You, boy, return to your duties, he's just trying to piss you off. Try not to show which end of the gene pool you're swimming in by answering to his goads." The words were spoken in the very command tone Revan had on the battlefield.
"Yes, Master Jedi."
"Cowering like a kicked dog?" The Sith sneered.
"Obeying orders of a superior. Clearly the Sith lack military discipline. No matter- all the better for the Republic, for the Jedi." A deep almost sinister smile etched its way upon the Jedi's face. She took a step forward exuding the power of the Force all around her, and the Sith officer took an involuntary step back. Fear sparkled in his veins. He'd seen a few Dark Jedi before, but the power of this Jedi was like nothing he'd experienced. "Now you be a good little worm and slink back to your embassy and stop being such a dick."
Skye shoved past the Lieutenant and swaggered down the corridor, the smirk still firmly planted on her face. The companions did likewise leaving the dumb-struck Sith officer in the corridor.
"Well now those Sith bastards will know we're here." Carth said.
"Yep." Skye didn't miss a step as she continued down her path.
"You want them to know you're here." It wasn't a question.
"Yep."
"It is very simple Carth." Bastila said. "That little peon will run to his superiors and tell them there are Jedi here. Perhaps the very Jedi Darth Malak is looking for. Those superiors will in turn go to their Dark Masters. Whatever plans they have for Manaan may have to be accelerated. If so, there will be mistakes and miscalculations on their part. There will be the temptation by the Dark Jedi to use a subtle seduction on possible Ahtoian Force users to recruit them to their side."
"You know that all through your kinky little mind-bond thing?" Canderous asked.
"I don't need a Force Bond with... Skye in order to know what she is thinking. Or how she plans and strategies."
Revan smiled. She knew why her lover hesitated saying her nom de plume, Bastila was on the cusp of saying her true name- not the alias given to her by the Masters of the Jedi Council. It was becoming increasingly difficult and uncomfortable to continue that lie-that Jedi secret. It would be so much easier if Skye could fully claim Revan.
Revan was sick of the dual personalities, the dual names- she wanted to reclaim her true self.
…and she was quite frankly sick and tired of hiding.
"Once we reclaim this star map my Love, then we will make it known. We cannot hide the truth any longer. They need to know. They need to know before we finally face Malak."
"I hate this." Revan admitted. "I hate the lie of Skye. I hate the secret life the Masters forced upon me. I hate deceiving my crew, my friends. They need to know. But you're right; we wait until the end of this mission when we have the star map."
"The truth will set us all free." Bastila soothed.
"One can only hope." Outwardly the others- save for Bastila- thought the smile upon their leader's face was for the slight she had given the Sith operative. "There are now so many truths... from certain points of view. Multiple endings, multiple beginnings, woven together such that no one can tell them apart any more. Endings, beginnings, prophecies, myths, stories, legends and lies, all part of the same big carpet: especially the lies, of course."
"Trust me my love."
"Always."
Revan reflected deeply within herself and the Force, the closer and closer she came to the Star Forge, the more her mind whirled. She had always maintained a singular philosophy either as her true-self as Revan or as Skye. Neither Order nor Chaos... Light Side and Dark Side are not very hospitable. Perfect Order... the Light is immovable: frozen, unchanging and sterile. Total Chaos—the Dark is uncontrolled; volatile, and destructive. The middle ground—the Gray... basically, lukewarm water –create the perfect environment for another kind of Force User to merge the frozen sterility and volcanic chaos. Only the Grey had true power, true understanding.
It was either coincidence or irony that the Zeison Sha warrior armor adorned by the former Dark Lord reflected her independence and survival as well as her willingness to give aid to those in need- all that the Zeison Sha embraced. Zeison Sha was everything Revan believed about herself and the Force.
Soon she would be allowed to fully embrace the philosophy in the open.
Independence and survival.
It was a philosophy that Revan held before, during, and after her fall to the Dark Side and her 'resurrection' —the truth would set her free to fully embrace all of it, the Zeison Sha, being Revan, formally a Republic war hero, a Dark Lord and redeemed Jedi. She pulled at the restraints holding her back and so longed to be free of them. Only then would she know true equanimity over her own mind, soul and heart and more importantly with Bastila. Only then would she feel a true and complete unity with the Force and with the one who owned her heart. Only when she was truly Revan would she be able to overthrow the usurper Darth Malak.
"Soon my love. Very soon." Bastila uttered through their bond. Her hand was placed upon the small of the Nagai's back, a gesture not missed by any of the others even as they departed for their appointed tasks.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
Carth turned to Jolee, opened his mouth then closed it once more. His eyes danced in their sockets as he tried to form the words of what his mind was reeling with.
"You're going to ask me about that little display of affection? Does it concern me? I'm not their master. I have no authority over them. Even if I did they would defy me even as they defy the rules of 'no attachments.' They defy their own Masters with their affections."
"And this isn't a reason to be alarmed? Skye is a neophyte, newly inducted into the Order. I can understand her defiance but not Bastila's. Shouldn't she know better?"
"Is that what you think, Boy? That Skye is only a neophyte." Bindo gave a dry chuckle. "She is much, much more than that. Have you ever had a dream within a dream and woke up in one only to find yourself within another dream?"
"I guess. Dreamed a few times I was back in the war, fighting on the bridge everything going as normal then suddenly I know something isn't right. I wake up thinking I'm in the real world only to wake up and find I wasn't. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Many things, Boy. They say you're a clever Commander. Are you, or is that simply glorified hype from besotted soldiers that fought alongside you?"
"You know Skye is right, you are vexing old man. Come to the point if you have one."
"And you're becoming as lippy as your 'neophyte.'"
"If she isn't a neophyte then what is she?" deep suspicion crept back into Onasi's voice. After reading her dossier, finding out the magnitude of her skills, he suspected she was much more than what was on the paper, much more than a raw recruit. She is much more than a mere neophyte.
He had been watching the Nagai since Taris, yes, he had stumbled more than a few times with her, causing the hullabaloo with the whole honor challenge in front of the entire enclave and naked to boot. But he couldn't shake the feeling that there was always something to his concerns about treachery.
"Skye isn't mine. If she belongs to anyone, it's Bastila."
"A Force Bond is more intimate then having sex dear boy. Bastila and Skye are so intertwined in one another it's difficult for them to say where one begins and the other ends. They are connected body and soul- but I suspect you were told this already."
"In some parts, yes. Back on Dantooine I… confronted Bastila about her meetings with the Jedi Masters. She wouldn't tell me about them, but I wanted- needed- answers. I was being left out of the loop and I resented it. I ah… reached out to grab Bastila by the arm demanding she tell me. And that's when all hell broke loose. Skye was there in an instant. The earth trembled with the Force radiating around the knife-ear. I saw the rage burning in her eyes. She was barely containing holding back." He told the story of the Blade Wronged, the green lightning, how Skye toyed with him in the arena like a cat going after a mouse. How he thought he saw that same rage burning in Ballista's grey eyes.
"As I said boy, they cannot tell were one ends or the other beings. Their emotions are one another's. What one feels so does the other. When one is injured the other will feel the pain. It is why they are so very close."
"Master Vandar tried to explain it but… then I don't think I completely understood then. Maybe I still don't. Maybe only a Jedi can."
"Power is a curious thing. Do you like riddles Carth?
"Why, am I about to hear one?"
"Three great people sit in a room: a queen, a spiritual leader and a very rich man. Between them stands a common mercenary. Say someone like our friend Ordo. Each great leader bids the merc to kill the other two. Who lives? Who dies?"
Carth shrugged. "Depends on the mercenary."
"Does it? He has nether title, nor credits nor favour with the gods."
"He has a blaster- the power of life and death."
"But if it is the gunmen who rule, why do we pretend the crowns hold all the power? When Darth Revan lost her life- who was truly responsible? Bastila, the Jedi Council or something else?"
Carth sighed. "I've decided I really don't like riddles."
"Power resides were people believe it resides. It's a trick, a shadow on the wall. And a very small being can cast a very large shadow."
Carth turned, frowned, and looked to T3 who gave a confused little burble of a noise then he turned back to Jolee. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I've said it. Now it lies to you in what you heard and what you do with the words. Do nothing, or act, or simply pay attention- or maybe a shadow of what is on the way is an exaggeration of mixed images that have cast them."
"You telling me I'm seeing things that ain't there? A collection of things amalgamated together to cast a sinister shadow?"
"Am I?"
"Ugg… I really see why Skye wants to maroon your wrinkled old ass on some planet."
The older man simply cackled like a wizened ancient wizard. They were almost to the Embassies of Alto City when Jolee heard a very familiar voice, though it had been ages since he had heard it:
Elora the wife of an old friend, Sunry. A decorated war hero and dignitary of the Republic.
He was a recipient of the Republic Hero's Cross for his valor, indeed the highest medal to be awarded by the Senate. He had won it for his many victories as a pilot.
"Jolee? Jolee Bindo is that you? Oh thank the heavens you're here! The Force has brought you here to help us!" she cried as she ran towards him. "Please, you have to help. You're the only one that can," she was in tears.
"Elora. Calm yourself." Jolee moved to put a hand on the woman's back. "Whatever could be the matter my dear?"
"It's horrible Jolee, it's Sunry. He's been arrested!" she dropped into a series of tears. "The Sith have accused him of murder!"
"What? Elora, please tell me what's happened."
The aging woman looked over to Carth and recognized the orange color of the Republic, her eyes darted to the epilates on the shoulders, noticing his rank of Commander.
"Carth Onasi ma'am, Commander in the Republic fleet. I know who Sunry… is. He was a hero to many of us, and a damned fine pilot. Maybe the best in the fleet who wasn't a Jedi. If we can help we will." Onasi said trying to quiet the woman's fears.
She smiled. "Thank you, Commander," her nerves now settled she took in a breath and started once again.
But Jolee stopped her. "We should talk at a more secure location."
It was agreed they'd go to a small café near the Embassies, just off the luxury hotel which was now warded off by the Alto City Constabulary. After ordering a round of caffa, Elora started with her tale—again for a third time.
"He was taken by the Selcath. They claim he killed a woman from the Sith Embassy. They Sith want him to hang, Jolee. Sunry isn't a murder. Someone is trying to frame him."
"Surely the Republic Embassy will send lawyers to defend him." Carth said.
"That's just it. They can't. The Selkath neutrality laws forbid anyone from the Republic defending my husband. They'll allow an impartial 'arbiter' to take his case. But the Selkath don't know my husband, a public defender won't be able to free him… Jolee please help. You're a Jedi. They'd have to allow it."
"But the Jedi are defenders of the Republic." Carth pointed out. "And Jolee isn't a part of the Jedi order anymore."
Elora looked to her old friend. "I know. But… but he still wears the robes of a Jedi. That's all the Selkath government need to see. A Jedi can be trusted to be just and impartial. Please Jolee say you will help. Sunry is your friend!" The desperate woman fell into a flood of tears. "Please go to the Courts and talk to the judges."
"Don't worry Elora, we'll get to the bottom of this and help Sunry… somehow." He patted the aged woman's hand and tried to give her a reassuring smile.
She launched herself into his arms, her tears creating small stains on the brown outer robe. "Oh thank you Jolee. I knew I could always count on you."
He patted her back trying to offer comfort. "Elora, how'd did you even know I left Kashyyyk?"
She shook her head. "I didn't. No one knew where you disappeared to. Not even Sunry. But I heard that you had come here, along with other Jedi and… friends… I thought I might find you near the embassies."
"Skye was right, news travels fast. That Republic lieutenant must have radioed in. Not to mention the port authorities as well as that Sith shutta." Carth said.
"Elora, let us figure out what needs to be done, and I'll let you know. Trust me."
"Of course, Jolee. I'll… I'll go home and wait for your call." Unsteadily, Elora rose from the table and wandered out of the café's lounge.
"So how do you know Sunry? I didn't think you two served together." Carth asked.
"What, because I lived as a hermit I was always a hermit? Just because I haven't seen sunlight for twenty years doesn't mean he's not a friend. But a man could have changed a lot in that span of time though. To become a murderer... nah… hummmm… I can't see it. That's not the Sunry I know.
"He was a good man. Put me up in his home for a year after I left the Order. You already know he's a decorated war hero. I wouldn't mind helping the fellow if we can. I owe it to him."
"I don't see that as a problem." Carth said. "I'd be proud to help."
"In case you forgot it isn't up to us. It's up to our leader. Granted she could be a young monkey-lizard and ignore us. I don't expect much these days."
Carth rubbed the back of his neck. It hadn't escaped his notice that the two people that annoyed the Nagai the most had been paired together to go play diplomats.
Busy work…
But Onasi couldn't fault the Knife-Ear. He had proven very poor at information gathering on Taris. He had no clue on how to talk to underworld types or swoopers, which made the Mandy, Mission and Big Z perfect for the job of harvesting Intel from Alto City's underbelly. However, helping out a fellow, even if retired, Republic soldier? Now that was something he could do.
"Then maybe we appeal not to her, but to Bastila. Skye listens to her." Onasi suggested.
"Very bad idea." Jolee shook his head. "Never sits well when you use a connection as strong as they share as leverage against them. You think you had troubles with Ravensong before, try that my boy and you will wake a dragon – two of them. It won't be me Ravensong threatens to maroon. I'd rather deal with a monkey-lizard. That creature can be appeased. Not so much with dragons."
"You're talking about them becoming Sith?"
Jolee laughed. "Trust you to always assume the worst in people and of them. My dear boy you may have been married but you have no idea how to deal or talk to women, do you? Have you never heard of the old adage 'The Dark Side has no furry like a woman scorned?' Trust me this is a cazador nest you do not want to kick. Well, more than you already have."
"Then what about Juhani? She and Skye share no bond other than being fellow Jedi. And Skye talks to the Cathar often… there is respect there."
"You're bound and determined to get stung, aren't you? Not going to stop you, but I'm going directly to our taciturn leader, it is the best option."
T3 bleeped his response in the positive. It was his master Skye Ravensong they asked permission of, or no one.
Jolee got on the comm and radioed Skye after giving her the details so far as he knew them there was a measure of silence on the other end of the line. So long he thought they might have lost the signal but then the Nagai's voice burst over the white noise.
*This isn't part of our mission, Bindo. Getting tangled in what could quite possibly become a political shite-storm is outside our purview of the Jedi. That being said, if this guy is found guilty it could go bad for the Republic in this sector and the last thing we need is for the Sith to gain of a foothold in this territory.
*Do what is needed to ensure that doesn't happen, but no more. Guilty or not, follow the full guidelines of the law to the letter, not the 'sprit' of it. Find evidence. And while you're doing it, find out why the Sith are so adamant- beyond the obvious- about persecuting one of our war heroes. Ravensong out. *
She clicked off, not even waiting for an affirmative answer from Bindo that he understood her commands.
"Well… that was braising," Jolee sardonically commented. "Like a cool breath of fresh air isn't she?"
"Tell me about it," Carth shrugged haplessly. "If we're going to do this, we best start at the Courts and talk to the judges like your friend suggested."
Getting there took very little time. Apparently, it was not a closed court session for when they three companions entered a case was already underway.
"…. The Republic respects the peace of Ahto City your honor. But the Sith are a violent people who leave violence in their wake. I have three soldiers in the infirmary."
"If the Republic soldiers were more capable they would not have suffered such injury. Are my soldiers to be punished simply because, ha ha ha, they won a fair fight?"
"I hardly call six against three a fair fight." The blonde Republic officer retaliated. "The Sith are cowards that attack only when they have the advantage of numbers."
One of the judges spoke. It was difficult to tell whether it was male or female, even by the voice. His slick fish-like skin had mottled brown spots upon green. "I am aware of the Republic's indignation. However, witnesses reports clearly state your Republic soldiers were as willing to engage in violence as the Sith in this case."
"They were provoked, Your Honor! The Sith goaded them into this fight."
Brown Spots was Justice Shelkar according to the ID-display at his bench: "Taunts and threats are not sufficient provocation in the eyes of this court. Words can be ignored – which is what your men should have done. I find both the Republic and the Sith to be equally at fault for this breach of peace.
"I should throw all parties involved into the Ahto City jail. But since no Selkath were harmed in this conflict I will allow mercy and levy a fine of ten thousand credits to both sides.
"The court is dismissed, though I warn you that further disturbances will not be viewed with such leniency. "
The companions watched as officers of both Republic and Sith stalked out of the chambers feeling neither triumphant or vindicated. It was a tepid solution at best.
Jolee decided the best approach was to appear as much as a Jedi Master as he resembled. He even shoved his hands into the sleeves of his outer robe as to give off the air of beneficence and serenity. The action had not gone unnoticed by the conglomerate of judges.
Once more it was Shelkar that spoke- first by introducing himself then offered a welcome. "On behalf of the Selkath government of Manaan it is my task today to answer the needs of off-world citizens of both the Republic and the Sith Empire.
"If you have legitimate grievances with another party then you should speak to me. You should first, however, consult the Republic Embassies, Master Jedi before pressing formal charges. Is there something you wish to bring to my attention?"
Formally, Jolee bent his head. "Justice Shelkar, I am Jolee Bindo—as you said of the Jedi Order. I wish to investigate the murder case involving a human known as Sunry."
The judge didn't even hesitate. "That is acceptable, I believe. In Manaan legal tradition the defendant can have an Arbiter who tries to prove his innocence in court. As such you will act as a neutral party that can investigate and present evidence in the trial, and argue on the defendant's behalf. As you are a Jedi, I believe you could fulfill this role adequately."
"Thank you, Justice Shelkar." Jolee dipped his head.
"So be it." Shelkar typed in a few commands into the holographic interface of his computer council embedded in the judges' bench. "You are now appointed Arbiter in the case of Sunry vs. The Sith Empire. Your name and position have been recorded in our files."
The judge went on to explain the details of the case, though not without issuing a warning first that they had a limited amount of time in which to investigate and organize a defense for their client, thus it should be used wisely.
Apparently due to Sunry's crippled status he was being kept in a solitary holding cell at the Ahto City prison facilities. As for the details of the case, Sunry was seen leaving a hotel, leaving behind a dead Sith woman – Elassa Huros. She had been killed by blaster wound with an incriminating Republic medal clutched in her hand.
The witnesses who claimed to have seen the killing are being detained at the hotel in question, pending the trial. The manager of the hotel had now been informed of Jolee's appointment which would allow the aged Jedi to interview the witnesses and investigate the murder scene. All this information of course had been uploaded into the old man's data pad. Before the three companions left, the judge gave them one final warning- that it would be wise to review all the information before the trial started.
As they left the court room, Carth turned to the older man. "So, gleam any goodies from all of that?" he was used to Skye seeing and hearing things that a casual observer missed. She was after all a scout long before she was a Jedi. Surely Jolee's age and experiences out-stripped the Nagai's.
"The Republic and Sith are at each other's throats." Jolee said in a vanilla tone. "Not much to see than what you already did, boy. Come on, let's go to the hotel. Like the 'ole fish said, the evidence is stacked heavily against Sunry and it's going to take some doing to absolve him of guilt."
"You don't want to talk to Sunry first? He is your friend."
"That is exactly why I don't want to talk to him first I want to know what the others saw or think they saw. Look at the scene—get a sense of things before I talk to my old friend. The evidence seems too heavily stacked against him, too convenient. It's like one of those neon lights, 'Guilty man right here!' …very suspicious."
"So how come you didn't talk to the judges before we left."
"Because I don't know anything yet. What, do you think Skye would have?"
"Maybe?"
"Opinions of others only cloud things. You need facts. Once you're armed with them, then you can go digging further. Get to the meat of it and act if necessary."
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Canderous, Mission and Zaalbar wandered their way through the seemingly sterile corridors, open areas, and markets, past the commerce centers to the entrainment section of the city. Past the bright neon lights of restaurants and diners, they came upon the clubs and canteens. As the three neared their destination they overheard a Republic officer, a sergeant going by the epilates on his lapel, talking to a merc.
"That's an awful lot of money. Is there something you're not telling me?"
"Don't be so suspicious. The Republic is generous. We pay our mercenaries well."
"Ha!" Canderous barked incredulously, though not quite loud enough to gain the two's full attention.
"Makes sense I guess. Alright, I'm in. When do I start?" the dark-haired merc questioned.
"Just show up at the Republic Embassy tomorrow and speak to our representative there. I'm sure he will have some tasks he wants you to start on right away."
Canderous shook his head. "Mistake of a rookie. Never go into a job without more details. Remember that kid."
"Like Davik Kang never hired newbies." Mission scoffed.
"Of course, he did. Simple rules in the game of Djarik: the pawns always go first. Meat for the grinder, lets the heavies take their time."
Mission turned her head so she could see the Merc wander off towards one of the 'seedier' bars. Of course, Manaan's version of "seedy" was the Upper City's version of class considering Taris's rate of economical decay after the war.
"Come on kid, stop legging behind or I'm leaving you."
"No, you're not." Zaalbar grunted. "Skye gave us a task, we do it together."
"Whatever. Just keep up." Ordo grumbled. "I'm not playing nursemaid. Just keep pace."
Just as the three neared the entrance to the swoop track, they were stopped by a white and blue spotted Selcath. He seemed to be casually leaning against a kiosk but he was anything but causal. Canderous' hand slid to his holster, an action that did not go unnoticed by the two teens or by the Selcath.
"Mandalorian, I wish to speak to you if you have time."
"Well I don't have the time, fish-man." Canderous snipped.
"I know you travel with Jedi. Strange for a Mandalorian." the man didn't take no for an answer. Canderous slowly turned back around, glaring at the Selkath.
"What of it?"
"My name is Nilko Swaas. I would ask how you found our glorious city floating amongst the waves, but I see you are man with a mission. I won't waste your time. But if you indulge me can you pass this to your master-the Jedi, perhaps?"
"What is it?" Mission asked putting a hand on the old merc's arm knowing Ordo had very little patience. But at least he had more than Mushroom Head-Nord. By this time Canderous had his blaster pistol free from its holster at his side and was holding it, finger flagged on trigger against his thigh. He may not be as fast as Carth but he was a dead-shot when it came to using the weapon.
"The beauty of Manaan is delicate. Our ecosystem is complex and fragile, and I fear for the preservation of my planet."
"Cut the small talk fish-man and what do want?" Ordo demanded.
"There is a task I would ask of you, Mandalorian… more for your Jedi master. I fear there is nowhere else I can turn. Rest assured there will be ample reward for this Mandalorian. I only require information, nothing more."
"Information is better than credits a lot of the time. I told you quit wasting mine. Spill or we walk. And for the record, no Mandalorian has ever had a master, especially a Jedi. Mandalorians are not slaves. Better remember that fish-man."
Swaas shivered despite the tropical warmth of the city, "Very well. The Republic has been hiring mercenaries—many more than usual. As an official of the Selkath people, this is of great concern to me. I only seek the reason for this change in Republic policy."
"So' what you want us to spy on the Republic for you? You can forget asking the Jedi anything like that. They'd never betray the Republic." Mission shook her head. "And I ain't betraying Skye."
"It will not be a betrayal youngling. I cannot trust anyone else. The Republic obviously wants to keep their secret—I have inquired often as to their purpose and been rebuffed. The Sith cannot be trusted to give me accurate report of events – they will twist the truth so that it furthers their own goals."
"Like I will be able to get anything from the Pubs. I'm Mandalorian and these two are lower-street urchins form Taris. Ragamuffins. We won't get so much as a peep from the Orange Coats."
"Yes, but your Jedi mast… leaders can. But you are a mercenary. If you are approached by a recruiting officer, you can discover why there is such a high wage. You know your brothers and sister mercs, you know they will not report anything that might slow the flow of credits into their accounts. But they will be willing to share with you, no? Uncover the truth behind the Republic's actions, and I will pay you 500 credits."
"Pfft. That's piss in the rain. I never do a job that's under a 1,000. If I'm poking my nose in places it doesn't belong I might find something I don't like. That's costly."
"Please—see if you can find the answers I seek. Find why the Republic is hiring so many mercenaries, and find where they are going. Find why they do not return. I will pay the fee you ask. Once you discover some information, please come speak to me. Believe it or not, I am a friend of the Republic and to the Jedi. Whatever the truth, I shall do my best to protect the Republic's interests—and those of the Selkath of course."
Canderous's only answer was a nod of his head. Though he did not address the Selkath he did his two crewmates. "Come on, kids we have things that need doin'…"
"We should tell Skye about this. It's right up there with the stuff she told us to look out for." Mission suggested as she trailed behind Ordo's much longer gait.
"And tell her what exactly? Trust me kid, we ask a few questions in the canteens, get more intel then we tell the Jedi Whelp. She'll want more than table-scraps that even a kath hound won't eat."
"He's right, Mission. We need more to go on," Big Z commented. "All Skye will tell us is to scout for answers. We are already doing so."
The young Twi'lek's lekku curled around her neck, unsure. Sighing she said, "Yeah I guess you're right." She skipped ahead a few paces. "Maybe it's a good idea not to get so cheesed if someone calls Skye or Bastila our Jedi Masters. It's not like those guys mean it like the Jedi own slaves and crud like that. It's a title, 'ya know? People are always call'n Skye "Master Jedi" even if she's just a Knight."
"I think she's still a Padawan…" Big Z said.
"Nah… she can't be." Mission shook her head. "Seen Padawans when we were back at the Enclave. They're like my age and stuff. She's older and way, way better. Way better than Bastila with the lightsaber even- and she bested Juhani too. Naw, she's a Knight. Heck I bet she could become a real Jedi Master real soon. Everything about her screams 'Jedi Master'."
Canderous found himself agreeing. Unlike Orange-boy, he saw something more than a neophyte. Skye was indeed a Jedi Master in all but title. There was a hell of a lot of power in the Whelp.
The last time he witnessed that sort of power was when Revan took the battle to Mandalor in one-on-one combat and took his head. Canderous said as much before. He didn't know if it was the Nagai blood or something else, that blue/purple Jedi warrior faction the Whelp claimed when she adored their armor. It was the same as Revan had before she took to the black and red robes during the war. Or maybe it was something else. But there was something familiar to Skye, something that sure as hell reminded Canderous of Revan. Now there was a Jedi Master. Yeah, she was the enemy but one he could respect- not like those snobby do-nothing Council members. Then again, what could one expect from such ilk as them? They all spoke well. Revan on the other hand, acted.
One thing was for certain. Skye Ravensong sure as hell was no fracking neophyte; she wasn't a mere little Padawan and she out-classed the Knights. The Whelp was in every sense of the word a Master.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
"Greetings Nagai," a female Selkath tipped her head in respect. "My name is Shaelas. I heard it said you are no friend of the Sith. Is this true?" The speaker like most of her people had blue and white mottled sleek wet looking skin.
"I am Jedi. What do you think?" Skye gave answer in the form of anther.
"The Sith are a blight upon the galaxy." Juhani said.
It was difficult to tell, but it seemed to the Jedi that her mandibles twitched into a Selkath version of a smile. "Though I suspect we have little in common, Master Jedi, I share your dislike of the Sith. They have brought grief to my family.
"I am not a fool. I know the Sith do not respect our laws as the Republic does, certainly not like the Jedi do. Were it up to me, I would do everything in my power to aid the Republic in their war against Malak.
"But intergalactic politics stay my hand. Still, I know the Sith are evil—and I fear what they will do to my people. And what they may be doing now."
"Shaelas, if you could be a little more specific." Bastila said. One agonizing thing she found about speaking with the Selkath peoples were that they were almost far too polite and tended to take the long way 'round to come to a point.
"Many of the Selkath have vanished, Master Jedi. Most who have gone missing are on the cusp of adulthood, the youth who will someday lead this planet. My own daughter, Shasa, is among those who have disappeared."
The three Jedi women looked at one another. Everything seemed to say the same thing: 'Pazzak' in their gaze. While it may not directly get them to the ocean floor, if trio of Jedi discovered the missing younglings and returned them home with evidence the Sith had their hands deep in their disappearances or possible deaths, the government would likely be so grateful as to offer whatever aid the Jedi required.
The Selkath woman continued her explanations. "The disappearances coincide with the arrival of the Sith and I cannot dismiss the connection. The Sith are up to something, Jedi. Something sinister—I can feel it."
"And you would like the three of us to investigate these disappearances, yes?" Skye asked almost needlessly.
"I can pay… I have 500 credits if you can uncover the fate of my daughter and other missing Selkath younglings. Not much, but all I can afford. I have no official authority in this mater, and my personal wealth is not vast.
"There is no one else I can turn to Master Jedi. The Republic agents are too closely watched by the Sith and the Ahto City authorities cannot act without proof of Sith involvement."
"We will look into this matter for you, Madam Shaelas." Skye answered for the three of them.
"Thank you! Thank you. All of you!" again the mandibles drooping on either side of the elongated snout twitched in what seemed to be a smile of lost hope. "I cannot imagine where to begin the investigation, though I suspect the Sith did not act alone. Perhaps the off-worlders in the mercenary enclave know something.
"If you learn anything Master Jedi, please report back to me at once. If you undercover the fate of my daughter and the other missing younglings, I will reward you as promised."
Skye took a small step forward and placed a hand on the distraught woman's arm. "We will do all we can, you have our promise."
"Mission and the others should be at the Mercenary enclave, we can have them ask about it." Juhani suggested.
Skye approved. "He might not be the subtlest of people, but Ol' Grandpa Candy speaks the lingo. We'll give him a heads-up. Mission is pretty good at ferreting out secrets and all Big Z has to do is give a tiny growl and look like he's going to tear the arm off of anybody that doesn't give an answer. I'll give him a buzz, then we find out from the Sith angle."