Slipping Destiny
CHAPTER 1: The Trouble with Business
Alright, here's the deal: It has been a year since Revan (Ken) has fled the destroyed planet Taris. The situation that happened during that year is roughly explained throughout based on the character Ken Dorr. Ken is NOT a Jedi or able to use the Force in any way though he is a Force sensitive. He left Taris and fled to Nar Shadaa instead of heading to Dantooine to receive training. Ken and Zaalbar are the only two of the original party because, of course, many things changed during their visit to Taris.
Ken fled to Nar Shadaa before going to Dantooine to drop off Bastila and so no to Jedi training and return to his smuggling operations. He lets Carth go and return to his job as being a soldier and, much to Ken's dislike, Carth trails him from time to time. He leaves Mission Vao on Nar Shadaa as part of his new crew. She becomes well known once she finds her way around. She manages to purchase a bar and starts her own business to cover for Ken's smuggling.
He also traveled to Tatooine to repair T3-04 and found HK-47. After finding out his assassination protocols, he purchases the droid and begins repairs, unlocking its memory and other advancements in its assassination protocols. With the Sith on his tail, he hides the Ebon Hawke on Korribon where he makes quick friends with the Rodian trader. He also meets with Yuthera Bann but keeps away from the Academy training though she insists he has more than enough power…
Hull breached…Warning: perimeter under attack…Hull breached…
Ken Dorr sighed; he hadn't had a decent amount of rest since he agreed to obey the Jedi and take the job offer. He'd no clue why the Jedi had asked for him as a last minute addition to their crew aboard the Endar Spire and he hadn't asked. His expertise had sailed farther than expected, he assumed.
"Come on, wookie; we've got a job to do."
The large walking carpet rose with a growl in Shyriiwook.
"I know, I know, but it's an opportunity nonetheless. Let's move."
His companion pulled a curved blade from the foot locker before opening the door violently, ready for an assault. A moment later Zaalbar stepped into the hall, showing Ken the place was temporarily safeguarded.
Ken's keen eyes shifted to all possible attack points before sprinting to the next corner, peering around in search of threats. Zaalbar did the same to the other in turn, bow caster at the ready at his hip just in case.
A Sith trooper was doing rounds, emptying his blaster rifle into anyone not on his side. Leaning against the wall, Ken waited, watching for the shadow. When it appeared close enough, Ken whipped the knife from his pant holster and twisted it inside the trooper's throat, pulling at his belt so it appeared he was continuing his rounds. He placed the body down silently.
A few moments later and the wookiee was leaning over a corpse too. Quickly, Ken set to work on the helmet to intercept their communications while Zaalbar pulled the body into the room, certain Ken could take care of himself for a couple moments.
"I heard he was smart."
"Devious beyond measure, for sure."
"I thought he was honourable; people say he has the heart of a Mandalorian."
The other trooper laughed loudly. "You mistake him for who we're after. That Jedi was rescued by him just so he could save his own skin. He's a skilled scoundrel, there's no question there but he's no match for us; we'll catch him."
"But do we want to?"
"Are you questioning the Lord's orders?" The assassin tapped his foot, startling the two soldiers. The man was clad in black and a voice scrambler to keep his identity a secret.
"No sir, of course not." They stepped backwards in fear.
"Sir?" The assassin raised its hand to its chin, rubbing it in thought. "I don't like that."
"We're sorry."
"I don't want your - get to work." A wave of the slim arm sent the soldiers scurrying down the halls of the large spaceship. "Like a common gizka."
A small battalion of Sith troopers rallied behind the assassin. "We've scanned the ship; there's no sign of him or his companion."
"He's smart so expect to find him in a suit of armour; look for a corpse of your own. If you can't find one he's probably stowed away on your ship."
"Right away."
After the group moved out, the assassin moved down the hall, inspecting the individual rooms.
"The escape pods are launching!" A trooper shouted into the communications.
"There's no way he's that stupid; it's a trick." The assassin snapped into the headset.
"There are heat energies inside, heading for the planet below; we're opening fire."
"Don't! Whoever is with him, kill him; it's a trick!"
A blaster shot rang through the com-link but the auto turrets had already opened fire. The escape pod exploded violently, larger than any escape pod should; it had been packed with explosives damaging the neighbouring vessel.
"All the escape pods have been fired."
"He's not in any of them; he's not that stupid! He's trying to confuse you."
"A wookiee captured in the cafeteria, perhaps we should question him."
"Kill whoever 'caught' the wookiee; you don't 'catch' wookiees."
"You think it's him in disguise?" A blaster shot and someone's protests.
"No; he was probably being threatened. Ken should still be onboard then or on our ship. Scan everyone."
"Why is the bounty hunter getting us to kill our own men? I don't think this is our best job, you know what I mean?"
"It's not a bounty hunter, he's an assassin and he knows this guy back to front; that's why." The trooper's partner hissed as he placed his blaster before him upon entering a room. "Apparently we shouldn't split up; I don't want to be told I have to kill you - or the other way around."
"Don't you feel we're being killed off without reason? I mean, no one's seen him yet and we have the crew and everyone else hostage; we could barter with him."
"That's what's got me spooked. What kind of a person can manipulate the Jedi to allow him to work with them when he obviously doesn't care for these people? The Jedi don't want him dead and neither does The Dark Lord. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned that Jedi in unless he has some attachment to her."
"A man like this can't have any friends, Josh."
"I didn't mean that by attachment. A guy like this has to be as greedy as they come; I heard he has connections with almost every Hutt in the galaxy. Now that's saying something about his character; no one scares a Hutt, no one threatens a Hutt and no one is on their friends list. Somehow he's managed them all."
"He could be in tune with the Force."
"A guy like that, no." Josh stopped searching the room to face his friend. "He refused the Jedi and was forced to be trained and he appeared to have no control. You ask me, he's just skilled."
"But they offered."
"He's too old to be trained to use the Force, Harry. If he hasn't learned anything yet, he's not going to learn anything. Besides he uses tricks that only a normal person would use; best not think a Force sensitive has grown a brain."
"They rely too much on the Force, I know."
"Imagine what would happen if one was stripped of the Force." Josh laughed.
"Can that actually happen?"
"I've heard about it, it takes about five powerful Force users to do it but I think it can be done. When we're done here I'll have to show you some of my collection back on Nar Shadaa."
The two exit the room, entering the hallway and continue about their rounds.
Well, well, this is easier than I expected. Ken throws the concussion grenade into the commanding centre of the enemy ship, disorienting the crew. He kicks one of the squirming, resistant members and heads for the controls. "I'd like to have your attention please; we are taking over the ship." He points his blaster and fires a round into the captain's head. "Have a nice day."
He clicks the control console and hacks into the system for restricted access. Activate poison gas-yep. Goodbye people I don't care about. Surene, here's hoping you brought your mask.
The assassin sets his blaster on high and shoots the group holding the wookie in place. The wookie shakes the corpses off of him and nods his head with a growl of respect. The black clad being throws a large mask, meant specifically for Zaalbar, to him before leading the way out of the cafeteria.
"Ken I hope you know what you're doing."
Zaalbar growls as he slides the mask on.
"I know that, Z, but even he can get a little overconfident at times. Remember that incident with Bendeck Starkiller?"
Zaalbar growls again.
"Good work, the both of you. Now what do you say about leaving this hunk of junk before anyone gets any ideas?" Ken says over the com as he closes the doors behind the two.
Surene taps his shoulder and sits beside him as Zaalbar takes a look at the controls before taking his own. Ken looks at the two and then looks at Surene the assassin. "How does Korriban sound?"
"The more dangerous and in the midst of hostilities the safer you are."
Zaalbar grunts hotly.
"Sorry, Big Z, but we have a couple things to do; selling spice got us a fair ways."
Zaalbar growls again.
"I wouldn't worry; there is no way she's crazy enough to show her face." Ken laughs. He kicks the coordinates into the ship and blasts off.
He was wrong; she was crazy enough.
"Bastilla, the next time you…"
"Hold it, Ken; you're not in a position to give me orders."
"Quite the contrary; I'm sure the Sith will be more than happy to take you hostage, under a false name of course. Malak is still searching for your sweet ass. How have they not nabbed you yet anyway? Join them or did you roast the hell out of them?"
"Nothing of the sort; I simply hid."
Ken looks about the circular landing port. "This is hidden? You can't be serious. The Force may be powerful; you knew where we were going to land but I seriously doubt its going to hide you in plain sight; they have the Force too you know."
"I can alter the way they perceive my aura."
"Oh, well that's just fine then." Ken raises a fake smile and laugh, arms flying into the air in defeat. "Because the Force can do everything."
"It can." Bastilla answers simply as if the answer was common knowledge.
"Wow, you've matured a lot over a year." He brushes past her.
She smiles. "You've noticed." She then falls in step with the trio, her brown robe over her head. "It took a while to find you, you know."
"I would take that as a compliment but considering your intelligence and meek understanding of the underground; I'll be insulted for the time being." He pays the boarding lieutenant and walks in. "By the way, have you at all tried getting into the Academy?"
Bastilla snorts. "That's a good one; when did your humour go dry?"
"I don't know; you tend to bring out the worst in me, let's go with that. I trust you've kept an eye on the others, hoping they could locate me?"
"You're not that important." Bastilla turns her head away. "But yes I have. Candarous is doing what he normally does: bounty hunting for the rich. Carth is…"
"I don't care about him."
"He's a trained soldier who…"
Ken cuts Bastilla off again. "I said I don't care. What about Mission?"
"I've lost track of her."
"You're not much for finding people are you?" Ken scoffs as he walks over to a blast door and opens it. "But I am sure it won't matter in the long run. Hello there, Burke, how's the cantina these days?"
"Ah, my friend, I see you have found your mistress, she was very worried indeed about you when you did not return."
"Wasn't me." Surene raises her hands.
Bastilla doesn't look at him. The wookie laughs, covering his large teeth with his paw.
Ken takes his opportunity and grabs Bastilla around the waist and pulls her near. "I'm sure she was; she can't stand being without me. Isn't that right, honey?"
Discretely, Bastilla grits her teeth but wraps her arms around Ken and presses close. "I'm going to get you for this, Ken."
"Now, now; emotion leads to hate, hate leads to anger and we all know what that leads to. Besides, you were the one who went through all this trouble to find me. It's my gain what you say to get your way."
"It'll be your suffering and you know it."
"That's the Dark Side talking." He whispers back. "So she found the Ebon Hawke stashed at port 17 did she?"
The rodian nods. "I received word that you did as I asked and assumed you would be on your way back some day soon. But knowing you, that could take months."
"I have other things to do besides run errands, you know that."
"But you are the most reliable; I don't like using the others normally."
"Not at my price, anyway." Ken grins.
"It would be a fool's investment." The rodian walks into the cantina and orders some drinks for them. "Let's talk outside; the weather is nice."
Once outside, the alien sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the canyon. He throws a rock over the base and continues talking. "My other job is from a Sith student who is willing to offer all his findings of the Sith artefacts he has found and stolen for the ability to escape from this planet. He says he will pay extra if we can manage a new identity for him and his comrades."
"Comrades?"
"He'd like them taken out of there too but if that cannot be helped he will leave them if you give the word."
"So you haven't met this Sith in person? He sent a drone or something past the sentry turrets."
"You are smart, Ken. But then that's not difficult." He pulls out a small device from his large pockets. "What should I tell him?"
"I'll take the mission but I don't need any Sith artefacts; you can take them off his hands. I'll ship them if you want me to but I'm wary of such things; it would be cheaper to send someone else for that."
"Of course, of course." The rodian replies, hoping he hasn't offended the scoundrel. "I am simply telling you his offer. I can pay you for the merchandise in credits, Ken. I know a buyer on Yavin Four who will pay handsomely. You send the items there any way you choose, yourself or by sending another, I will pay you half of what he pays plus shipping. The Sith will be your problem after you get him out of there."
Ken Dorr grins, extending his hand. "You know me well, rodian; I'll take the job and let you know how it goes." They shake hands on the deal.
"I'll pay you for the danger as usual, of course. Extra, considering the danger you're going to have to go through." He looks to the entrance of the Sith Academy. "I don't envy you, I tell you that. Sith aren't a kind bunch when you anger them."
"Neither are the Hutts." Ken looks to the entrance. "And we deal with them regularly."
"How did we end up on Felucia?"
Harry shrugs. "Don't look at me."
The two Sith troopers look back at their smouldering escape pod in the large brush and exotic plants.
"That's going to attract attention."
A screech from an Ackley directly behind them confirms Josh's words.