Neutrality be damned
- Carth Onasi -
Admiral Dodonna's serious face vanished from the holoscreen, and so did my forced smile. I had to bite back the curses welling up inside. After all these weeks of fruitlessly running from planet to planet, I'd thought I'd be able to wash my hands of the Jedi and their supposed mission. As well as being reprimanded, I'd also been thoroughly disabused of that particular notion.
With a muttered expletive, I clenched my fist and pounded it into the pristine table. Being white poraclay – some hardened alloy of ferracrete – I couldn't quite hold back a wince of pain.
I need a drink. A Corellian firewhiskey would do the trick. But I'd kicked that habit a long time ago. Days that blurred meaninglessly into one another followed by the sharp shock of an official warning from my superior, finally forced me to take charge of my life again. Alcohol may numb the pain for awhile, but it's only transitory. And all I woke up with afterwards was hollow grief, a pounding hangover, and fading memories of a beautiful woman and a studious boy.
No, drinking doesn't help. As I'd tried to explain to Jen back on Taris, those first few days when she was determined to live permanently in a cantina. The one time she'd actually managed to get roaring drunk, Mission had to drag her back down to our camp in the Undercity. I felt an angry scowl chase away the reminiscing.
Damn you, Jen! Damn you to the Outer Rim, or wherever you've disappeared to! She could have killed us all by her sabotage on the Ebon Hawk. Canderous was adamant she'd planned it merely as a diversionary tactic so she could run, but how could she know no one could get hurt in the forced landing? How could she take that risk with our lives? I'd seen the stark hurt look on Mission's face afterwards, and wanted to slap Jen for it.
And now that Jen's gone, I would have thought I'd be able to get back to my normal life. But no, Admiral Dodonna had other ideas. Watch the Jedi she says, I thought sourly. Like Bastila ever tells me what she's up to.
The last ten hours – ever since I'd entered the Embassy – were tiresome, to say the least. Roland Wann had grabbed me first, under the guise of a 'debrief'. In truth, he wanted to grill me for information about what the Jedi were up to. Two hours later, and I'd begged off to report to Dodonna. In reality, I'd gone to grab some lunch first. As much as I respected the Admiral, I wasn't about to face one of her lengthy reporting sessions on an empty stomach.
Dodonna hadn't been impressed.
…
"You've been travelling with them all this time, and you do not know anything about the Jedi mission other than it involves mysterious Force ruins?" Her voice bordered on scathing.
"Admiral, you know how tight-lipped the Jedi can be," I objected. Like I hadn't tried! Retrieving information from Bastila when she wasn't inclined to part from it was like taking spice from a stoner. Damn near impossible.
"For all that Bastila's a Jedi, Carth, she is also a pretty young woman." The Admiral had raised an eyebrow at me, as if conveying some message I was obviously supposed to understand.
I blinked. "What does that have to do with anything?"
For once, a glint of amusement sparked in Dodonna's steely eyes. "I don't indulge in office gossip, but that doesn't mean I'm unaware of your reputation with the ladies."
"My- my- what? Ladies?" I managed to croak out. What in the Outer Rim is she talking about? What reputation? My personal life had been empty and soulless since Telos burned.
A slow burn of anger mingled with the frustration I'd been building up for weeks, and with a sense of something close to relief I felt my temper snap. "Admiral, I've been stuck with a Jedi brat who's lightsaber is firmly wedged up her arse; a crazy psychotic warrior who – guess what – can also use the Force; and an ex-Dark Jedi who not so long ago was slaughtering rabid animals out in the desert! The only female around I can relate to is a Twi'lek pickpocket who hasn't yet graduated from childhood!" My voice rose to near-yelling pitch; vaguely I saw Dodonna's face pale slightly in surprise. "I haven't met anyone who could classify as a real lady in months!"
The Admiral straightened, and as her eyes flashed I realized just what I had implied. She stared at me stonily before responding.
"Thank you for that colourful commentary, Captain. Your disillusionment with my sex has been duly noted."
The heat of anger faded into the uncomfortable sensation of embarrassment; I swallowed, and belatedly tried to back-track. "Uh, sorry Admiral, um- obviously, I wasn't referr-"
"Save it, Captain," she snapped. "I'll overlook your impertinence this time, but you might do well to remind yourself that you are reporting from an official mission, not swilling beer and whining about women at the local cantina!"
I could feel humiliation warming my cheeks, and drew myself up stiffly. "Yes, Admiral."
She sighed in frustration. "Just find out something useful, will you?" Her tone had changed from angry to mildly annoyed, and I knew she'd let it go. I was lucky enough to enjoy a relatively amiable relationship with the Admiral; relaxed enough that at times – like today – I forgot entirely who I was dealing with.
"I don't see why I should be spying on the Jedi," I mumbled. "I thought they were meant to be our allies."
"Don't be dense, Carth," Dodonna snapped. "You are there to also help, and you know it. The Jedi need an experienced pilot, and your combat skills have already proven more than merely useful. But they can be as stiff-necked about 'Jedi business' as the Selkath are about neutrality. The Republic knows this mission is crucial to the war against Malak. We would, however, prefer to understand why – and that is where you come in."
…
I sighed, rubbing my neck tiredly. The debrief had then shifted to my crewmates – and Dodonna was nothing if not thorough. She'd wanted to know every last detail from who Canderous had worked for back on Taris, to why a Wookiee would leave Kashyyyk voluntarily. I'd been about to interject sarcastically if she also wanted a run down on their eating habits, when she moved onto the one person I really didn't want to talk about.
…
"Jen Sahara," Dodonna started. "Quite an enigma, this one. The only other survivor of the Endar Spire – and from your report, she had quite a lot to do with you escaping Taris alive. A scholar who has signed a three year contract with the Jedi Order, and then sabotages your ship on entry to Manaan and does a runner? Who is she, Carth? There's more than just a scholarly background here."
"Well, she can use the Force, for a start," I said. Oddly enough, this entire conversation was making me uneasy.
"I wondered that," Dodonna mused. "Since you contacted the Republic when you left Tatooine, I've had men do thorough background checks on all your passengers. You have picked up some interesting crewmates, Carth, but this Jen Sahara is the most curious. Our reports indicate that she was severely wounded when Darth Revan's forces invaded the planet Deralia. A medic's report lists several broken ribs, massive head trauma, multiple fractures in her spine – to name but a few. Apparently this scholar was the victim of weeks worth of torture by the Sith before the Jedi rescued her. In short, Carth, her injuries should have killed her."
…
Even now I couldn't believe it. Jen, captured by the Sith? Tortured by them? The same woman who on Taris had professed – if only to wind me up – that maybe the Sith had the right idea? But then it could explain her mood swings... her violent outbursts... Once, on Taris, she'd fainted in the middle of the street. She was a mass of contradictions – she could wield the Force, yet she was scared enough of the Jedi to crash the Ebon Hawk and run. I'd seen her risk her life for Mission more than once – a street urchin she barely knew – and then she turned around and left us all in the lurch.
Oh, what does it matter. Jen's well and truly gone. I should have been used to betrayal by now – and hashing it over in my mind accomplished nothing. The others were around somewhere; it was probably time I found them. Before I'd contacted Dodonna, I'd tried to meet up with the others with no success. Even Roland Wann had disappeared, and usually that smarmy commander was everywhere. Now, hours later, I couldn't help but feel surprised that Bastila hadn't cornered me yet.
I left my private quarters after a brief nap, returning an amiable nod from one of the Army soldiers stationed at the Embassy. I didn't hold the best opinion of Roland Wann – there was something almost obsequious about him – but the grunts here were friendly and open to conversation.
The Republic Embassy was a pretty swish joint. The shining opulence of furnishings – even the waxed floor that had not one jot of dirt on it - reminded me of the Republic apartments back on Coruscant. I'd never felt comfortable there – maybe it was something to do with growing up as a dirt-poor farmer back on Telos. I wasn't ashamed of my background, but I'd met plenty of officers who seemed to think I should be. Generally officers who, like Wann, had been promoted due to their lineage rather than any real merit.
For all that I knew the Republic to be the right side in this war - for all that it stood for freedom and justice – sometimes I wondered just how rotten the core of it was. At the end of the day, I supposed that slime trickled to the top of all organizations, no matter what they stood for.
I turned left down the east wing, heading towards the barracks. Striding towards me was one of the Senate liaisons, an Ensign named Gerith I'd spoken to earlier. Upon spotting me, his merry face broadened into a grin.
"Carth," he greeted. "All is well?"
I smiled briefly in response. "As good as can be expected, I guess. You haven't seen any of the Jedi about recently, have you?"
Gerith rolled his eyes in disgust. "No. To be honest, I try to stay out of their way. Politics, y' understand. Jedi often want to know information I'm not obliged to impart."
I nodded in understanding. The soldiers who filled the ranks of the Embassy on Manaan were either Republic Army or Senate bureaucrats. Gerith belonged to the latter group, and was one of the few of which I could stomach. Most of the civil servants had the same outlook on military that Gerith did on the Jedi.
"What about the Ebon Hawk?" I broached quietly. Gerith had been chasing up the red tape our ship was embroiled in.
His countenance lowered further. "No luck, I'm afraid. Some of the more conservative Selkath seem determined to use this as an example. Say that any ship used in a fight on Manaan territory will be seized."
I clenched my teeth. "There was no fight," I ground out.
"True, but it sounds like it came close, right?" Gerith shot me a piteous look. "I'm sorry, man, but the Selkath are acting like kath hounds guarding a hoarde of iriaz bones." He shrugged. "I'll do what I can."
Blast it. Not only did Jen almost kill us, but she lost us our ship. But if what Admiral Dodonna had said was true – if she'd almost died at the hands of the Sith – then who knew what was going through her mind? She'd told me her memory was messed up, and I hadn't known whether to believe her. But after hearing this, it made sense. Horrible sense.
I'd known survivors of torture before, and memory loss was not an uncommon way of the mind dealing with the trauma.
My thoughts turned to Bastila. Jen was running from her. She'd tried to, before, but each time Bastila had convinced her otherwise. Now, it seemed, Bastila's powers of persuasion had finally waned. Maybe, after Deralia, the thought of anyone who could wield the Force had sent Jen running scared. Jen? Scared? The thought seemed laughable, but Jen was such a mercurial character... and damaged, it seemed. More than I'd realized.
Two figures turned the corner up ahead, and I straightened as I recognized the Jedi Master Karon. Gerith turned to follow my gaze, and grimaced.
"I'm outta here – paperwork to do."
He flicked a hand in acknowledgement as I nodded farewell, moving to intercept Karon. The Zabrak had stopped in the middle of the corridor, her head cocked as if she was listening for something. A distracted frown lined her face, and I walked within five paces of her before she even noticed me.
"What is it, Master?" a timid voice behind her asked. A Twi'lek male stood nervously in her shadow, young eyes trained on her. He was an adolescent, and judging by the tan robes, Karon's apprentice.
"I'm not sure, Lars," Karon murmured, and then turned to greet me. "Hello again, Captain Onasi."
"Master Jedi," I greeted, trying to keep my voice respectful. A twinkle of amusement sparked in Karon's bright eyes, and I wondered if she'd picked up on my irritation. It wasn't directed at her, not really. She seemed like a good sort - for a Jedi - and I had to admit my mood hadn't been the best recently. Maybe I'm just not good with authority, full stop. "Have you seen Mission – the Twi'lek girl? Or Bastila?
The Zabrak's mood sobered. "Mission left during the night, Captain Onasi."
"Left?" I blinked. "What do you mean, left?"
The Jedi sighed. "I believe she has gone to find her own way in life, Captain. Of course-" she cut herself off, turning her head abruptly to stare into the distance, eyes narrowed.
"Her own way in life?" I all but exploded as my mouth dropped open. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Karon shook her head, as if shaking off sand flies. "That she is old enough to decide what she should be doing. Do not worry, Captain, her Wookiee friend is with her, and I imagine that useful little droid followed as well."
Vaguely, I realized I was gaping. I hurriedly shut my mouth, and felt anger churn within me again. Dammit Jen, this is all your fault! Mission's too young to be out here – by herself... "I have to find her," I said abruptly. "She's only sixteen! What does she think she's doing?"
Karon's wise eyes rested on me. "I was of the understanding that she had been on her own for the majority of her life, Captain. And do not underestimate her friend Zaalbar. I sensed true devotion from him."
For all that I disliked the patronizing speeches Jedi often spouted – and Jedi Masters were the worst – Karon's words did have a calming effect on me. And they were, I knew, true.
"I can't believe she'd just go without saying goodbye," I muttered, scowling. I couldn't help it; I had a soft spot for Mission. She was impetuous and sassy, a bit like Jen, really, but Mission had an endearing naivete that was at odds with her street smarts – look at the way she kept defending Jen – and, truly, a heart of gold.
The Twi'lek boy behind Karon was staring at me with interest. I transferred my scowl to him, and he glanced away, a faint blush colouring his cheeks.
"Where's Bastila then?" I asked abruptly. Karon's attention had transferred once more into the ether – I wondered briefly if the Jedi had any sleep last night – but at my query her head snapped back to face me again.
"Commander Wann has not informed you?" Her voice was sharp.
"Informed me of what?" I could hear the annoyance creeping back into my voice. I knew I was acting like an old grouch – but dammit, nothing had gone right ever since Dodonna had ordered me to pilot the Endar Spire.
"Bastila – along with Jedi Juhani and Canderous – left four hours ago to Hrakert Station."
"Hrakert Station?" I snapped. "What- where is that?"
Abruptly, Karon's attention was jerked away from me again, and this time I heard her gasp audibly.
"Master?" the young Twi'lek queried in a hesitant voice.
"Where have they gone? And why aren't I with them?" I demanded, scowling at the Jedi. I can't believe this! Why doesn't anyone ever tell me anything?
"Master, I-I can feel something," the boy stammered. I glanced back at the young Twi'lek, and with something close to surprise noticed he was trembling.
"Yes, Lars, I sense it too," Karon murmured absently, but a dark frown lined her face. She whirled back to stare at me intently. "Captain, is there a back entrance into this Embassy?"
The stark alarm on her face dissipated my grouchy mood. "Not that I'm aware of," I answered slowly. "But I don't really know the layout of this place."
"I must see Commander Wann," she said urgently. "I sense-" she cut herself off mid-sentence, her body stiffening. The boy called Lars gasped.
"The Force," he mumbled. Shock widened his eyes. "I can feel them using it. There's so many of them!"
"Peace, Lars," Karon said curtly.
"What's going on?" I asked, aware that my hand was gripping the blaster hoisted on my belt. There was an old saying amongst the Fleet pilots I used to serve with. An unsettled Jedi stirs more than just a mynock's nest.
"Dark Jedi," Karon responded quickly. "Ten of them. Close. We must warn Roland!"
She whirled around, breaking into a run. The soldier in me responded to her barked order, and I sprinted after her automatically. The Twi'lek boy was gasping behind me.
I'd yanked out my blaster, racing down the gleaming hallway. Adrenalin pumped through my veins at the unseen threat. I didn't hear any sounds of battle, no alarms warning of invaders were ringing, but Karon was running like her life depended on it.
As we passed the barracks, one of the grunts stepped out, his face a blank slate of shock as he took me in.
I ground to a halt, as Karon and Lars disappeared further up the hallway. "Where's Wann?" I shot out.
He shrugged, inquisitive alarm sparking in his eyes. "No idea, captain. What's happening?"
"A possible attack," I answered curtly. "Be ready for action!"
His mouth dropped open in disbelieving surprise, but I didn't have time for explanations. I ran, determination and fear forcing my legs. Worried faces of soldiers and civil servants alike blurred into the background as I sprinted down polished corridors. Some had been staring after the racing Jedi, only to see me running after her. I ignored various questions thrown in my wake.
Finally I lurched into the command room, panting with exertion. You're getting soft, Onasi.
Roland Wann was scowling angrily at Karon, who was more flustered than I'd ever seen her. The Twi'lek boy was all but hopping on his feet in anxiety. Several techs had stopped working on their consoles to turn and stare at the ensuing confrontation. It didn't take a second glance to see that Roland wasn't interested in what Karon had to say.
"Not this nonsense again! I told you before, Karon, I have no time for Jedi foolishness!"
"You would ignore this threat, Commander?" The Zabrak's voice had risen in intensity. "I assure you, I am not issuing warnings for the sake of my own health. You must evacuate. Now."
Red blotches of frustration emerged on Wann's face. "Come on, this is Ahto City! The Sith wouldn't dare attack us here."
"Then explain why there are two groups – two, Commander – of Dark Jedi, from opposite directions, heading directly towards this establishment?" Karon fixed her stare on Roland, who turned away to glare at the gob-smacked techs.
"What are you doing – get back to work!" he ordered, waving his hand. His eyes caught on me as I joined them. "Captain, talk some sense into this Jedi, will you? Manaan is ruled by their forsaken neutrality laws!" With an angry sigh, he turned to lean over his console, his back to the Jedi.
I was taken aback, to say the least. I might not trust the Jedi, but I wasn't blatantly stupid either. "Uh-"
"Roland." Karon's voice was low, deep, and almost frightening. I didn't have to feel the Force to know that it was at work. Roland appeared to turn around against his own volition. "You refuse to evacuate? You refuse to call the Selkath for aid? You would ignore this threat, when the lives of all your men are in your hands?"
"I will not be made to look like a fool in front of the Selkath!" The words tumbled from him. "They already oppose us at every turn, and what with the mess down on Hrakert Station – I cannot afford to have the Republic's position on Manaan weakened any further by a ridiculous call for Selkath aid from a non-existent threat! The Sith probably know you are here, Karon, and are trying to frighten you – that's what they do best! If we have Jedi on Manaan, why shouldn't they have Dark Jedi? They wouldn't attack – I refuse to believe it."
Her face was tight. "You refuse to believe it, Roland, because you do not wish to. That does not mean it will not come to pass."
The tension between the two was more than palpable – the Republic officer, face chubby with good living and little exercise, beady eyes staring defiantly into Karon's dark turquoise gaze. I could understand where Roland was coming from – politics are always more crucial than they should be – but how could he ignore the safety of his own men? From Dark Jedi?
"You mentioned two groups, Karon," I cut in, my silence finally broken. "Where are the exits to this place?"
Roland looked relieved at my interruption. "There's only the main one. Which is heavily guarded by Selkath security cameras – another reason why the Sith wouldn't try anything. The Selkath would pick them up immediately, and there would go their share of the kolto supply."
"And yet I sense six Dark Jedi outside in the quadrant," Karon stated.
"So?" Roland growled. "You sensed ten of them yesterday, and the worst thing that happened is that it was Private Laconi's turn to help the cook! Could it be your sense radar is a little faulty, Master Jedi?"
Lars gasped. Karon's eyes narrowed, and I bit back a groan.
"Do not act foolishly, Roland, it does not become you. These are the same ones from yesterday, but now much closer and split into two groups. Attacking from both sides."
Roland threw his hands up in disgust. Idly, I noticed all the techs had stopped working again. "Give me a motive, Karon – why would they attack us and risk everything? Not to mention there's only one entrance – unless they want to cut through the roof or swim in from the docking bay!"
All expression fled from the Zabrak's face. "The docking bay," she breathed. "That would explain why I sense them beneath me." Her eyes snapped back to Roland. "Risk the lives of your men if you wish, but at least keep your attention focused on the main entrance. I urge you again to evacuate, or at least call for aid. I shall move to the docking bay to pin them down."
The Jedi whirled around and stalked out of the room. Lars almost stumbled in his haste to run after her. I jerked my attention back to Roland, who was glaring furiously at the exit.
"She refuses to listen to reason!" he seethed. "The Sith attacking makes no sense."
And since when did the Sith make any sense? Karon's reaction had certainly unsettled me, and going by the terrified expressions on the various civilians in the room, I wasn't the only one. The safety of the men here had to come first. I bit back a sigh and tried to force a placating tone. "Still, it doesn't hurt to evacuate, sir."
Roland's eyes snapped back to glower at me. "So not only would you have us lose face in front of the Selkath, but also leave this base unguarded for any man off the street to wander in? Don't tell me you actually believe the Jedi, Captain?"
I felt myself scowling in return. "You think she's just making this up, sir?"
He sighed angrily, and turned to glare at the techs who were now listening in to our conversation. Most of them turned quickly back to their consoles. "No, I don't, captain. But I refuse to believe the Sith would dare attack us here. They are trying to provoke us into a fight with a show of strength – that is all. It is a common Sith tactic on Manaan streets. The gullible fall for it, only to find themselves in a Selkath jail." At my disbelieving look he rolled his eyes. "Come on, Onasi! Why would they risk their kolto supply? And why would they bother infiltrating the Republic base? What? To get at Karon?"
A sobering thought struck me. Taris. Malak's forces had laid waste to the city to kill one person. And the Sith probably thought she was safely housed inside the Republic base right now. "No, not Karon," I breathed, horror striking into my gut. Karon is right. "Bastila. They're after Bastila."
Roland dropped his head into his hands and groaned. "Captain, I repeat, the Sith would be throwing away their kolto supply if they dared attack-"
"Do you think that would matter to them if they could finally kill Bastila? She's central to our war effort, Wann! Where is she?"
"Far away from here! Jakobs – where do you think you're going?"
One of the techs had been surreptitiously edging towards the door. His face blanched and he looked down at the floor sheepishly. "Er – bathroom break, sir."
"Get back to work – now!" Roland screamed, his face mottling with fury. He looked about one step away from losing it completely, and must have realized this himself. The tech scampered back as Roland took in a few deep breaths.
"We need to get them out of here," I demanded softly, lowering my voice to a whisper. I could hear pounding in my head. While Karon's predictions had worried me before, only now did they seem like a plausible reality.
Intense dislike was aimed directly at me as Roland's gaze bored into my own. "Have you forgotten your position? I've made my decision, captain. I will not have you countermanding my orders!"
Stiff-necked idiot! He would throw away the lives of his men rather than risk losing face? Whatever respect I may have had for the aging commander was fast disappearing. The base was full of civilians that would be cut down like renni grass by Dark Jedi. Somehow, I had to convince Roland the threat was real – this place had to be evacuated. I searched the room frantically before my gaze caught on the console next to Roland. An array of camera outputs stared back at me.
"Bring up the cameras for the docking bay," I ordered. My tone was probably too commanding, as Roland shot me an incredulous look. I scowled. "Commander, we should at least be ready!"
He grunted, but leaned forward to switch the cameras. A view of Karon and her apprentice standing ready in an empty room greeted us.
"See? Nothing." Roland's voice was sanctimonious, and almost smug.
"The main entrance?"
Roland tapped another key, and a dual screen of an almost empty foyer appeared next to the docking bay. A bored receptionist was idly painting her nails at the desk. I could feel Roland's irritated glance on me, but kept my gaze glued to the console.
"Where is Bastila?" I repeated quietly. "They're after her, Roland, I'm certain of it."
"She's on a mission, captain – one I won't talk about here. But there's no way the Sith can find her."
I jerked back to face him. I had almost forgotten my earlier anger at not being informed – I was part of Bastila's crew, dammit – but now was not the time. Roland's not far from chewing me out. Again. Still, I was fast reaching the point where I didn't care. "We need to warn her."
"Spread the panic far and wide, huh, captain?" Roland bit out sarcastically. He was staring at the screen, and a puzzled look slowly grew on his face. "That's an incoming submersible. Odd, we're not expecting one for another hour." He frowned. "That means someone opened the bay doors. That's not right."
Trepidation crawled down my spine. I swung my gaze back once more to the console. Karon was standing near a surfacing submersible, her cyan lightsaber illuminating the screen. Behind her was the scared Twi'lek, clutching a short green 'saber. "Do you recognize the ship?"
The horrified expression plastered over his chubby face was answer enough. The dual camera of the entrance foyer blinked at us as six black figures materialized.
The blood drained from Roland's cheeks as terror uncurled in my stomach, but to give the blundering commander credit, he was fairly quick on the uptake. He all but shoved me away from the console, hurriedly switching to broadcast.
"Selkath Authority: this is Commander Wann from the Republic Embassy signalling a distress call. The Embassy is under attack from unknown forces. We request aid. I repeat: we request aid!"
One of the civilians in the room screamed and dashed for the door.
"Halt!" I yelled. "The entrance is blocked off – stay here!"
The tech shot me a terrified look but bolted from the room. The remaining occupants turned to stare at me.
"All soldiers to the command room! We are under attack!" Roland hollered through the intercom. I could see sweat glistening on his broad forehead. "All non-military personnel return to your rooms and lock your door until further notice! Do not attempt to engage the enemy!"
I quickly surveyed the room – a large half circle populated with consoles that had two direct exits. Ten people in here, most of them techs. They were no fighters; I didn't need a second glance to see that. One sole soldier had staggered towards Wann, looking for direction. Her face was pale but set, and she held a small Echani pistol in readiness.
"Guard the south exit," I ordered, pointing. "Any weapons here the techs can arm themselves with if need be?"
"Commander Wann, this is Selkath Authority," a hissing voice came haltingly from the comm. "We have lodged your distress call and dispatched a peacekeeping corps. We do not tolerate violence on Manaan!"
"I didn't exactly invite it," Roland spat through gritted teeth. "Just get me some damn help before we're slaughtered!"
The female soldier shook her head at me, then paused. "There might be a few blasters in the locker."
"What is the nature of your attackers?"
I kept my blaster and eyesight aimed on the second door while motioning the closest tech towards me. "You. Go into the locker and distribute whatever weapons you can find amongst the techs. Stay in the far side of the room, away from the doors."
The tech nodded, his eyes round in fright.
I turned back to Wann who was staring fixedly at the console. I had a brief glimpse of the once-bored receptionist being cut down by a glowing red blade before the camera shorted out.
"Sithspit!" Roland cursed. The other screen showed two figures advancing on Karon. Another two were climbing out from the now-docked submersible. Someone had engaged the defensive turrets that spat laser at the intruders, flashing sparks across the screen but otherwise being inherently useless against Force-users.
"Repeat: what is the nature of your attackers?"
"They're bloody Sith!" Roland screamed into the console. "Who else would attack the damn Republic Embassy? Now get me some help!" He angrily cut the transmission with a punch to the desk.
Warning klaxons wailed loudly, and I had a sudden recollection of the Endar Spire. My jaw clenched. Curse those Sith! There's too many people here... my one brief thought was gratitude that no one from the 'Hawk was still in the Embassy.
I looked back towards the console in time to see one Dark Jedi push Karon out from the docking room, and out of view of the camera.
"Not even Karon can survive four of those bastards," Roland breathed in horror. His face was white as he stared at the screen, terrified.
"She needs backup," I muttered. One of the black robed figures had finally spotted the camera. He raised his arm, pointing towards us as lightning arced from his fingers, shooting straight in our direction. The screen went black.
"Check what other cameras are online," I snapped out at Wann. "We need to track their movements." I turned to face the techs – they were hurriedly passing blasters amongst themselves; not a one of them appeared comfortable holding a weapon. Roland's eyes were still glued to the console, but I noticed he'd finally pulled out his blaster.
"Stang, they've got to the control room! They've destroyed the communications array." Roland swore, and slammed his fist down next to the screen. "Now we won't know when the Selkath arrive."
How much help would they be, now? I looked up at Roland. "Dark Jedi in the foyer," I reminded him. Our call for aid has probably done nothing but send the Selkath to their deaths.
His eyes met mine, and then looked away. He didn't say anything further.
"How many soldiers here, sir?"
"Thirty-three currently stationed on base."
I blinked. "Only? In the main Republic base on Manaan?"
"This is an Embassy, first and foremost, captain!" Roland shot back. "We have other troops patrolling the seas. Some are stationed with the Selkath."
The swishing noise of a door opening grabbed my attention, and I swung my blaster around to face the south door the female soldier was guarding. She gave out an audible sigh as two figures clothed in Republic uniform ran inside. I recognized one as a guard who'd escorted us into the base. Both were armed with stun sticks, and moved to flank the Commander.
"Karon's hemmed down in the barracks. Holy stars-" Roland cut himself off, but motioned at the screen. I glanced down – the barracks were littered with corpses. Republic corpses. My gut clenched.
"Curse those black-hearted bastards!" Roland spat. "How are we to survive this?"
Someone whimpered from the far side of the room. Dammit. Likely there are few soldiers left. My attention sharpened on the screen. A dazzling display of red and light blue sparks shone from one of the remaining cameras. I had no idea where her apprentice was, but Karon was good – that much I could tell from the terminal.
"We should get the techs out," I said abruptly. "They're nothing but fodder here."
Roland barked in disbelief. "Captain, these are Dark Jedi. We're nothing but fodder."
Internally I conceded the point, but now was not the time to show despair. "We should get ready, though. Blasters are all but useless against Dark Jedi. Any grenades here? Flamethrowers?"
Roland was shaking his head. "You're lucky we had those blasters in the locker."
I glanced down at mine, and bit back a curse. My one and only vibroblade – courtesy of Jen's midnight jaunts back on Taris – lay back in my quarters. My only chance was to catch one of them unawares.
The Selkath are going to get ripped to pieces – we can't rely on them, either. Our only hope was Karon, but she was alone – and I spotted another Dark Jedi entering the barracks to face her. Two against one. There were four earlier. Did she kill two of them, or are they elsewhere now?
"Can you see any soldiers?"
Roland leaned forward to cycle through the remaining cameras. "There's six in the mess. That's – that's next to the barracks. They seem to be shooting at – something..."
I leaned closer; sure enough, a small group of soldiers were panicking, and firing blasters through the room. One of the soldiers fell down, clutching his leg. I grimaced; it looked like he'd been hit by friendly fire. Another arched up off the ground, mouth opened in a wordless scream.
"Where is the fiend?" Roland growled. "I can't see any Dark Jedi on the screen!"
The soldier collapsed into a crumpled heap. Another threw a knife directly across the room. The knife jarred in mid-air; a sparkle of blue static heralded the appearance of a black robed figure yanking the short blade out of his shoulder.
"Stealth field generator," Roland spat. "The cam should've picked up more feed. Those things are crap, you wouldn't think the Sith would bother with them."
Roland was wrong. I'd seen one that good before, not so long ago. And Calo Nord likely been equipped by the Sith. Have the Sith discovered a superior stealth technology? It was certainly an effective way to create panic, I realized with mounting horror - throwing Force powers around while practically invisible.
Three of the soldiers retreated hastily from the room as the Dark Jedi hurled the knife back to its owner. I winced, closing my eyes reflexively as the Republic combatant buckled, hands scrabbling at his throat. When my eyes opened again, it was to appraise the unreal sight of the Dark Jedi lying comatose on the ground.
"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"The injured man – the one who got a hit to the leg." Roland fired me a stunned look. "He shot the sithspawn in the back."
"Fancy that. Guess you don't need to be a Jedi to kill those bastards."
Back in the barracks, Karon was being pushed hard. One of the Sith parried her 'saber as the other slashed at her leg. Karon jumped back, but it looked like a hit.
"I'm heading out," I said flatly. "There were three soldiers who ran from the mess. I'll find them, and go help Karon."
Roland's jaw dropped. "Are you crazy, Onasi? Those Dark Jedi will cut you to pieces!"
Determination flooded through me. "Maybe I can get a lucky shot in too. It's better than waiting in here – Karon's our only hope, Wann, and she looks like she needs all the backup she can get. We can't count on the Selkath. Lock down the doors after me."
I heard one of the techs whimper as I strode towards the door, my gun raised.
"Captain-"
I turned back to look at Wann, cloistered between the two soldiers. Their stun sticks looked about as effective as the twigs the Sand People had used on Tatooine, and the Commander had aged a year in a day. Dammit, the Republic should have been prepared for this. We allowed Manaan's neutrality to lull us into complacency.
Roland stared steadily at me, one soldier to another. "Good luck out there."
I nodded, smiled grimly, and walked out the door.
xXx
I slammed myself back against the wall, blood thumping so loud in my own ears that it was hard to hear anything above the pounding. I thought I'd heard soft footsteps around the corner; now all I could hear was my own quick breaths. It was a short walk from the command room to the mess, but with Dark Jedi on the loose, it seemed like an eternity.
It wasn't the first time I'd been up against Force users. Apart from those idiots who'd attacked Bastila in Anchorhead – again, Malak's forces after Bastila, I should have believed Karon earlier – I'd encountered Force sensitive Sith in the past few years when circumstances had taken me out of the skies. I'd seen firsthand what damage they could do.
The worst battle was on Rodia, where I'd been grounded when the hangar bays had been destroyed. Our squadron was attacked by a company of Sith led by the ex-Jedi Talvon Esam. I recognized him from the Mandalorian wars – I'd served under him directly.
Some of us had escaped. Some, he'd captured and played with. The Republic counter-attack had retrieved the prisoners and Talvon fled, but not until days had passed. I'd known some of those men who'd suffered under Talvon's ministrations.
Bitterness flooded my mouth. It was all too easy to distrust and fear the Jedi. Too many of them fell to the other side.
The sudden cessation of wailing alarms caught my attention – someone had finally disabled them. If the Dark Jedi had been aiming for a stealthy approach, they'd done a pretty poor job – but stealth had hardly been needed.
The sound of harsh panting reached my ears; it took me a second to realize it wasn't my own. I froze, and tried to still my breathing. The noise was close; I figured someone was leaning against the wall, just around the corner. I doubted it was a Dark Jedi, but couldn't be certain.
With a leap, I cleared the corner and aimed my blaster directly down the corridor. A startled scream issued from a bloodied figure huddled against the wall – he scrambled backwards and slid to the ground before I recognized him.
"Gerith." I lowered my gun and stepped forward to help the Senate Ensign up. "Are you badly hurt?"
His normally clear eyes were wide with panic, and blood soaked his right side. Streaks of black burns ran up his neck; a sign I recognized as the after-effects of Force lightning. He's lucky to be alive, I realized grimly.
"C-carth," he mumbled, clutching my hand as he stumbled to his feet. He didn't let go of me once he stood. "Help. They-they're after me. I've-I've got to get away!"
"The exits are blocked. Gerith, get to the command room. Wann's got it sealed off – you're best chance is to wait this out," I spoke slowly, hoping my words would get through to him. Gerith had always struck me as a capable, intelligent man, but he was clerk, not a soldier. He'd probably never seen a Dark Jedi before, let alone had to fight one.
He was shaking his head at me, the whites of his eyes showing. "N-no. They'll find me. I only j-just got out."
I raised my other hand and gripped his shoulder firmly. "Gerith. Listen to me. They're not after you, they're after the Jedi. Get yourself to the command room, or find a place to hide. Do not try to leave the Base, there's Dark Jedi in the entrance foyer." My guess was that at least two Dark Jedi would have been placed to guard the main doors and resist any Selkath aid. Unless the Selkath tried blasting their way through the embassy with permacrete detonators, we were effectively pinned inside. And the Sith would search every room until they realized their quarry – Bastila – was not in residence.
A small measure of sanity seeped back into Gerith's gaze, and he nodded shakily at me. As I stepped back from him, ready to move on, I heard the noise of clambering footsteps. Men, running towards us. Gerith let out a small scream, and stumbled into me.
"Command room. Now," I ordered, hoping fervently that Wann would let the Ensign in. After all, I had told Wann to lock down the doors after me. Gerith took a step away and turned to run as I hoisted my blaster up again. The footfalls were louder, and judging by the frequency there was more than one man running towards me. I held my ground, blaster raised down the corridor as I heard Gerith retreat behind me.
Three soldiers breached the corridor up ahead, their rifles snapping to aim at me before they recognized I was no threat. I lowered my own pistol, taking in their state as they walked closer. They were the soldiers I'd spotted on the cameras, and one was limping slightly.
"Captain Onasi," their leader said tersely as they approached. I noticed captain's pips on the shoulder of his torn uniform. "We're trying to get to Wann to protect him."
"There's Dark Jedi out there!" the injured man wheezed. His comrade elbowed him sharply.
"Wann's as safe as can be," I bit out. "He's locked in the command room. I need your help to defend Jedi Karon."
"What?" the limping soldier gasped. "No sodding way! We only just made it out of there!"
"Laconi, keep your flaming voice down," the second soldier hissed, elbowing him once more. "Do you want to get us killed?"
"I saw one of your comrades kill a Dark Jedi by shooting him in the back. They aren't immortal, and our only chance is to aid Karon." I kept my voice low, intense. If I had to, I'd forge on ahead, but I'd vastly prefer a team. "She's outnumbered, and won't last long."
The captain nodded seriously at me. "I'm with you. I'm Captain Gilies, this is Privates Darna and Laconi."
"It's damn suicide!" Laconi muttered.
"Either pull yourself together or get out of here, Laconi," I ordered. I looked back at Gilies; he was waiting for my command. I quickly snapped out what I knew. "Ten Dark Jedi entered this embassy; six through the main entrance. We know at least one of them is dead. Karon went to the docking bay to cut off the other four – we need to move in that direction."
Darna, a short, stocky Sullustan, moved to flank me. Laconi scowled, but followed suit as Captain Gilies took the lead.
"This way, we'll cut through the maintenance corridor," he whispered, turning to walk briskly onwards. The rest of us followed.
Around the corner we had to step over several civilian corpses. I heard a scream not far away, and Laconi jumped in fright. I cursed under my breath. He's not far from cracking. I looked over at him; perspiration dripped down the human's sickly face.
"In here," Gilies whispered, opening a chrome office door. Darna stepped through first, blaster raised. As the Sullustan waved me onwards, I heard footsteps trailing nearby. My eyes met the captain's, and then trailed over Laconi. The door swept closed behind Laconi with a mechanical hiss, and I wondered how far the noise of a door shutting could be heard.
The footsteps paused, and started up again; closer.
We were in a workroom, with an exit on either end. I motioned the others to stand further back, and I pressed myself tightly against the wall by the door. If that's a Dark Jedi, my only chance is surprise.
The footfalls stopped outside the door, and I held my breath, blaster raised at the entrance. I knew I would only get one shot – if that.
The door opened.
"Karon!" Gilies called out, and my grip slackened. The Zabrak master stepped through the entrance, and her head snapped to the side to face down my blaster. The corner of her mouth twitched in acknowledgement, and I truly wondered whether I would have got the shot off, had Karon been a Dark Jedi.
"We need to get everybody out," Karon said in a clipped tone, her gaze sweeping the room. It was then that her condition fully registered – one arm sagged at her side, and blood soaked her beige robe from the knee down. She took a step further inside the room, and only because I was looking for it did I notice the limp. Of course she's hurt, you numbskull. She just faced down four Dark Jedi. And there were five still out there.
"The entrance is guarded by Sith," I replied tersely. "Wann's in the command centre, with a bunch of techs and soldiers. How many Dark Jedi still out there?"
The Zabrak's gaze tightened on me. I heard a whimper from Laconi. "I dispatched three of them, and injured a fourth."
She's some Jedi, all right. "I saw one get killed by one of ours. That's five left, plus the injured one."
Karon was shaking her head. "Too many for me, captain. I was not far from falling myself, and I have no idea where my apprentice is. I believe our-" She stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening a fraction. "Three coming down the hallway," she whispered, spinning swiftly back to face the door. "Stand ready, they may not know we are here."
Laconi moaned, dropped his gun, and sprinted for the exit at the south of the room.
"No-!" Gilies cursed as the door swished open, and Laconi disappeared from sight.
"They do now," Karon muttered. I stood behind her to the left, gun pointing at the door. My chest felt tight with adrenalin and tension. I'm getting too old for this.
"Get ready to fire," Gilies muttered.
I squinted at the door, readying my aim. Silence ominously pervaded the area. Karon was bathed in the pale glow of her lightsaber, holding station by the door. Gilies' and I flanked her, further behind but still with a clear shot should the door open.
My grip tightened on the weapon; Darna's breaths behind me seemed inordinately loud. Where are those black-hearted bastards? A trickle of perspiration slid down my temple, and the muscles in my forearm clenched.
Gilies' shot me a tense, frantic look as the seconds ticked by. Darna shifted to the side, his weight balanced on his left foot. Only Karon seemed unaffected by the pressure of unbroken silence, standing serenely in front of us all. Have they walked straight past us? Are we safe, or-
A crash outside, and the door yawned wide once more.
As one, Gilies, Darna and I opened fire, a stream of bolts that was instantly deflected back into the room amidst the twirl of a red lightsaber. Karon leapt forward to attack two hooded Sith charging straight towards us.
A wave of Force power engulfed the room; the breath was smashed from my lungs as I was thrown backwards, my blaster ripped from my hands. Darna yelled in protest somewhere in the midst, and I heard Gilies thud into the wall with a grunt.
I scrabbled to my feet, spotted my gun and lunged for it as Karon stabbed her 'saber clean through the neck of the first Dark Jedi. He crumpled with a bloodcurdling scream, and the Zabrak sprung backwards, dodging the violent swing of the second Sith by an infinitesimal margin. How does she move so flaming fast?
Adrenalin spiked through my veins like spice; I hoisted my gun to fire into the fray as Gilies struggled back to his feet. I pulled the trigger as a third Dark Jedi entered the room, hand outstretched in an sinister gesture that was becoming all too eerily familiar.
No-!
Then the Force was well and truly unleashed.
Bright white scorched the room, clawing at my skin, flinging my weapon away with ease, and driving nails deep into my flesh. Muscles convulsed; agony drove all rational thought from my head. My jaw was locked open in a wordless scream.
Abruptly, it stopped, and I found myself twitching on the floor. Stang! I jerked my head up, taking in the scene at a glance. Karon was facing off the only standing Dark Jedi, dodging a frenzied attack that pushed her deeper into the room. A second dark-robed figure was dragging himself to his feet- Dammit, there's still two left!
My skin was burning from lightning residue as I dragged myself up, limbs tight and aching. Frantically, I searched for my blaster; tables and containers alike had been overturned, leaving an assorted mess of tools, implements and objects lying scattered. The only weapon I could spot was what looked like a nail gun, perched underneath an overturned canister.
Karon lurched unsteadily backwards, off-balance and on the defensive. Red met cyan again and again.
Darna was moaning softly, the odd blue spark still shooting brightly from his body. I dived for the nail gun as the second Sith turned to face me, a dark chuckle warning of his impending approach.
Nothing for it. I snatched the gun and rolled, aiming and firing blindly, the tool bucking desperately in my grasp. The first nail hissed as it melted on a red beam, before an invisible force wrenched the gun from my hand.
A berserker scream sounded from my left; the Dark Jedi whirled quickly to face a surprise attack from Gilies with a stun stick. I couldn't stop a wince as a red beam cleaved the captain's head from his body. Murdering bastards! There's got to be a way to kill them! The Dark Jedi faced me yet again; defenceless, weaponless, I stood stock still as he loosed another mocking laugh.
Darna, crouched in a corner, opened fire and snatched his attention away yet again. I leapt towards Gilies' still thrashing body and grabbed the useless stun stick. Who am I kidding? This, against a Dark Jedi?
Darna gurgled as the bolts were deflected back into his torso; the offender was still laughing, his back to me. I glanced down at the stun stick, grimaced, and threw.
It landed with a solid thud into his back.
Triumph was short-lived. As his legs buckled, I glanced back towards Karon. She had fallen to her knees in front of the sole remaining Dark Jedi. No! Sithspit, I have to help her!
The hooded figure raised a hand, and Karon's lightsaber flew effortlessly out of her grip. I was completely out of weapons; my fists clenched, I'd fight bare-handed, if need be. The Dark Jedi wasn't looking in my direction; so far, my survival hadn't been noticed amongst their wild duel.
"Well, well," the Dark Jedi gave out a low chuckle, and took a step closer to Karon. "And here I thought the Force user we sensed was Bastila. I guess it figures you'd be here. Babysitting your failure, are you?"
That made no sense to me, but considering the way Karon's face tightened, it struck a nerve with her.
"Kylah," she said softly. "I would like to offer my happiness at seeing you alive when we all believed you died upon the Endar Spire – but, considering your apparel, I do not believe your survival was chance."
Horror punched into my gut, followed swiftly by boiling fury as I looked upon the face of the Dark Jedi. Even shadowed underneath a hood, I could recognize her, now I looked hard enough. One of Bastila's entourage onboard the doomed Endar Spire, who'd had the distinct ability to stick her nose even higher in the air than Bastila herself.
"Traitor," the word slipped out in a hiss before I could think. "You backstabbing gutter slime! You sold out to Malak and betrayed hundreds to their deaths!"
Kylah's attention snapped to me, her hand punched into the air and I felt my body lift violently. The breath was smashed from my lungs as I smacked into the far wall. Pain shot down my spine, and stars danced in my vision. Joints seemed to creak in anguished complaint.
Well, that was bright. I'd crashed into the far side of the room, next to the still warm body of Private Darna. His blaster was still clutched in his dead hand.
"So, where's little Bastila then, hmm?" Kylah had focused her attention back on Karon; obviously I was far beneath her notice. I might be able to use that to my advantage. Get her, when she's not expecting it. Survival instinct warred with exhaustion as lethargy swept through my limbs.
"You're after Bastila," Karon responded quietly. It wasn't a query, but from the stiff set of her shoulders I didn't think she'd been expecting that. Who else would they be after?
Kylah laughed deep in her throat. "What, you thought I was tracking your wayward apprentice?" A dark look passed her face. "We all have our missions, Master Karon."
Karon mentioned her young apprentice had disappeared earlier. But why would Kylah be after Lars? That doesn't make any sense. I edged my hand surreptitiously towards the blaster on the ground. Kylah had all but forgotten me.
"Now tell me," Kylah's voice dropped lower, and she took a step closer to the unarmed Zabrak. Karon was still on her knees. "Where is Bastila?"
The gun was too far away; I shifted my torso closer, holding my breath. Agony twisted through my back, and I knew I'd be a bruised mess tomorrow. Tomorrow? Hah, I'll be stars lucky if I live through today. My palm brushed the cold arm of Private Darna.
"You will not find her, Kylah." Karon's voice was soft.
An ugly sneer contorted the Dark Jedi's face, and she raised her lightsaber towards Karon. "I will kill you, Karon, don't make the mistake of thinking I'd spare your pathetic life. Tell me where she is!" The blood red of the 'saber flickered against Karon's dark skin.
My fingers caught on the metal of Darna's blaster as Karon jerked abruptly backwards, rolling to the side with her hand outstretched. I tugged at the gun, wrenching it up to aim. Kylah yelled in outrage and lunged; Karon's 'saber thudded into her hands a moment too late. As my blaster spat laser, Kylah's weapon drove deep into the Zabrak's side.
Karon gave an agonized wail as she crumpled to the floor.
My shot seared into Kylah's shoulder; she screamed and spun to face me, flinging aside Darna's blaster in fury. Dark rage deformed her features, and with a sick punch to my gut, I knew this was it.
Karon's dead, or as near as. And so am I. I'd had so many close calls recently, that part of me was almost resigned to this.
"Worm!" Kylah hissed. "You just don't know when to stay dead, do you?" She raised a fist once more, and I was dragged up against the bloodied wall, a band tightening around my throat. A fresh wave of panic struck blindly through me. No! I'm not ready to die, dammit! My hands scrabbled at my throat uselessly, and my vision dimmed.
The last thing I could make out was the bright sparks of electricity dancing from Kylah's free hand.
xXx
