Mandalorian Business

- Canderous Ordo -


"Sit," I barked at Revan, pointing to the benches in the common room before stalking out towards the men's quarters. I could feel a disgruntled scowl on my face; I'd spent the last two days cooling my heels and waiting for Revan to return from playing with the Sithlings. Waiting was something I neither excelled at nor enjoyed.

And as the light faded from the final day before the duel, I started to grow angry. I shouldn't have expected an outsider to understand or respect the importance of blood debt, but haar'chak, this was Revan. She had sworn to be my second, and I would have wagered the armour on my back that she'd come through for me.

Except that she wasn't Revan, not really, not anymore.

But here she was, in the nick of time - though decidedly more interested in gossiping with Onasi and arguing with the princess – than discussing the matter of Mando'ade honour: that which is more important than one's life. I scowled, slamming on the door control to the starboard sleeping area. Revan needed to appreciate the gravity of tomorrow's trials. Jagi was no pushover, especially not with a blade - I wasn't idiotic enough to expect an easy victory.

And if Revan even thought about using the Force tomorrow, I'd turn around and stab her myself, second or no.

The living quarters smelled of wet Wookiee, the being in question asleep on the bottom bed with his furry paws sticking off the end. There were a couple of bunks in here, but since Onasi had started kipping in the pilot's quarters it'd just been us two co-habiting.

Good thing too, because Onasi and I didn't get along on the best of days – even if I could admit he wasn't a bad soldier. He needed to loosen up, Onasi, find himself a cantina wench and get laid. He spent too much time pissing about with the past. You should move on and forge a new future if you wanted your clan and your honour to survive.

The Wookiee, on the other hand, was unassuming and easy to ignore.

I grabbed the bottle of slumbari bourbon I'd recently procured in Dreshdae and headed back to Revan. It wasn't a night for drinking, not with a blood duel in the morning, but a shot or two would help us both sleep. Revan might not need it though - she looked damn exhausted, like she'd been duelling Sithlings for the last two days straight. Judging by the state of her armour, raggedly visible under that dirty Sith robe, it was probably an accurate summary.

Onasi was in the central room when I returned, a lost expression on his face I hadn't seen before. He looked like someone had just stood on his pet felinx.

"…will find the map, and then go to the Academy," Revan was telling him earnestly. "We had an incident- I think things are going to get messy there. When we leave the Academy, we have to be prepared to get off Korriban quick."

"You know where the Map is?" Carth asked in a quiet voice, staring intently at her.

"I know where the Map is," she echoed, gazing back. Neither of them had noticed my entrance.

I slammed the bottle of bourbon down onto the table with a thud, and they both jumped, spinning to face me. "The blood duel. That's what we're talking about," I bit out. "The Map can bloody well wait."

"The duel is first," Revan placated, a slight frown creased between her eyes. "I won't let you down, Canderous."

I grunted, part in disbelief, and grabbed a pair of tumblers from the kitchenette cupboard. Sitting down, I roughly motioned Revan to do the same.

Onasi, leaning against the wall, sighed as he ran a hand through his hair wearily. "I suppose it's too much to ask that a Mandalorian duel can end peacefully?"

I snorted in derision. "And this attitude is why we had no qualms about invad-"

"Canderous!" Revan snapped, her eyes flashing. She stood abruptly. "Wait. Give me one minute to deal with Carth."

I shot her a glare that should have shown the depths of my annoyance, while Onasi scoffed. "Deal with me?" he muttered disbelievingly.

"Carth," Revan said quietly, picking up my damn bottle of booze and filling her glass with a generous amount. "It's a Mandalorian honour duel. I'm sure I don't need to spell it out."

He sighed as she walked towards him, glass in hand. "No," he conceded. "I do understand honour, despite what that thug may think."

I snorted, but kept my silence under Revan's quelling gaze. She had about thirty seconds to remove the pilot, before I was going to do it forcibly. We had a damn duel to discuss.

Revan lifted the glass towards Carth, motioning for him to take it. "Drink," she said firmly.

He frowned. "Jen, I'm not much of a drinker. You know-"

"Carth, you're going to stay up all night, worrying about Dustil and being unable to do a sodding thing," she spoke over him, her voice intense and commanding. I could hear the echoes of the leader she had once been. "I'm going to need everyone at their best for both the Map, and to pull off this extraction from the Academy. I need everyone rested. So either knock the drink back or get a sleeping pill from the medbay."

He looked at the half-full cup. "That smells awful," he said wryly. The corner of Revan's mouth lifted in an answering grin. Onasi's expression turned serious as he stared at her. "I'm a career soldier, Jen. I know how to sleep when required. I'll leave you two to it." With a nod at her he left the room.

Revan watched him go, concern evident on her face. I felt my irritation crest once more, and was about to growl with annoyance before she turned suddenly to face me.

"So," she said, seating herself again. "Blood duels. What do I need to know?"

I fixed her with a hard look, and she stared back unflinchingly.

"There'll be a leader there," I said at last. "Usually it's an Elder, but I doubt Jagi will have found one on Korriban. You must speak Mando'a, Jen, and for no reason at all use the Force."

Her eyes glittered. "I'd figured that one out, Canderous."

"Make sure you don't forget it," I growled. "Blood debts are sacred, to us Mando'ade. It's a redressing of honour, so it's crucial to get it right. The leader will give Jagi and me a chance to say our piece, and as my second you will support me. There is a traditional phrase for you to use after my address." I kept my eyes fixed on her as I switched to Mando'a. "(By the witnessing of the stars, the shedding of my blood, and the resting of the earth, my honour stands in agreement with this Mando'ade.)"

"De haa'taylir be ka'ra, galar be ner tal, bal nuhoy be vheh, ner ijaat sonsol ti ibic Mando'ade," she repeated after me quietly.

I nodded in gruff approval. "Jagi's second will say it first, so hear him if you need a reminder. You are not allowed to speak during their address, Jen." At her nod, I continued. "Once the duel has begun, it will proceed to completion. No one, not even the second, is permitted to intervene while Jagi and I still stand."

"Alright," she said slowly, nodding. "So tell me. What happened with Jagi?"

It was just like Revan to bend the topic so abruptly. I'd half-expected a dozen different queries on the fight itself, but no – she had to go nosing about for the reasons. She has a right to them, though.

I frowned as my thoughts turned inward. It had been a long time ago, and I'd been a different Mando'ade then. Filled with dreams of glory and conquest and a victorious future. Jagi had been both an ally and a friend.

Life was easier then. Easier to understand, and easier to know the right thing to do.

"Althir was early on in the piece," I said roughly. I looked at her in the eye, and wondered, once more, whether she recalled anything at all. "It's an Outer Rim world, and we took it before the Republic joined the war against us. I took it."

She blinked, surprised, before a measuring look came over her face. "You led the invasion?" There was no disbelief in her voice – good, otherwise we'd be having words – but a huge depth of curiosity.

I nodded, leaning over to pour a tumbler half-full of the amber liquid. "Yeah. General Ordo. Sounds good, huh?"

Revan's eyes were sharp as she considered me in silence for a moment. "One day you'll have to explain how a Mandalorian general ended up doing small-time jobs for Davik Kang."

I snorted, shrugging my shoulders. "The clans have been scattered since Malachor. I wasn't proud to be doing Kang's dirty work, but it sure beat hanging around the squabbling remnants of my people." I shifted uncomfortably on the damn plimfoam benches made for sentients smaller than myself. There hadn't been a Mand'alor since the devastating battle that brought our invasion to an end - the conflict that Revan herself had led and won - that cataclysmic turning point at Malachor.

Maybe, one day, I'd go back and have a say in the choosing of the new Mand'alor. Maybe if my people were ready, I'd return. There were some I had left behind, and in my weaker moments, thought of.

"And Jagi?"

"Althir wasn't a walkover, even though we were the superior force," I said slowly. There was honour in victory, but also in recognizing that strength of your opponents. "In numbers, firepower, and sheer grit." I grinned; they'd had knowledge of us coming, and their defences had held, for a time. We'd underestimated the fortitude of the Althiri - but they weren't able to withstand our might forever. "Most of it took place in the skies above, but Jagi's taskforce was grounded, holding a key defensive post the Althiri were desperate to recover. It was important to our line of attack, and I'd ordered him to hold it to the end."

"To the end?"

"Yeah," I nodded at her inquiry. Hold it, or die trying, and we'll sing your battle songs to the stars. "A squadron of fighters were backing him, otherwise it would've been a suicide mission. But-" I grunted, lifting my feet onto the table, relaxing back into a more comfortable position. Revan's bright eyes fell on my boots and gave a small smile.

"No feet on tables," she muttered, seemingly to herself.

I folded my arms and stared at her, unimpressed. Revan laughed, her eyes dancing, and waved at me to continue.

"There was an opening in the air attack," I continued. "A chance to end the battle quicker, with less loss of life overall. But to capitalize, I needed the fighters. I ordered them in the air, even though it left Jagi exposed."

We lapsed into silence, and Revan took a swig from her drink. "Yurgh," she complained, frowning at the glass. "Carth is right. This tastes like…" she looked around, her gaze resting on my filthy footwear. "like a Mandalorian's boots." She glanced over to me, her mouth quirking. "Not that I know what boots taste like, mind you."

I gave her a feral grin. "We Mando'ade drink from our boots all the time," I said dryly. "It's how we prove our manliness."

Revan snorted.

I picked up my cup and knocked it back. I couldn't stop a grimace. "Haar'chak. This is foul," I conceded, picking up the bottle and looking at the label. The merchant had it claimed it was Korriban's finest – either I was getting old and couldn't spot a rip-off, or the Sith were trying the emulate the sensation of shoving a lightsaber down one's throat. The bourbon burned a harsh fire in my chest.

I stared at the table. "It was the right thing to do," I said quietly. "It was the Mando'ade thing to do. I ensured a quicker end to it, with less casualties and less damage to the Althiri mines – the resources we were after. But it meant sacrificing Jagi."

Jagi's battalion had comprised mostly of clan Bala. He would have seen his family cut down one by one, as the defending snubfighters vanished from the skies above. His loss would have been too damn personal for him to accept the rightness of my choice. I got that, I did - but Jagi had been a good friend once. And his clan was a staunch ally of Ordo.

I'd mourned him after Althir, but swung my attention onto the rest of the War. I'd had no idea he'd survived.

Revan knocked back the remainder of her drink, her face pinching from the harshness of it. She slammed the drink down on the table, and gave a little shake of her head. "It's the choices that battle commanders have to make. Sacrificing a thousand men to save ten times that amount. A capitol ship for a fleet. A planet for a system."

I stared at her, hard, but she was still grimacing at the glass. When the stakes rose that high, it took a truly objective leader to make the right choices. Those simpering robes – when they could be cajoled into warfare – tried to save everyone, and that's where they failed. You couldn't save everyone in war.

Revan had understood that, in a previous life. I'd never met her, but I'd studied her as my peoples' enemy enough to know her mettle. This wasn't the same woman… but there were flashes, here and there. Enough to catch my interest, enough to rouse my respect.

Revan met my gaze, then; eyes serious on me as if taking my measure. "How does this second thing work?" she asked quietly.

I leaned forward, capping the bottle. The bourbon was still sitting in my belly, a comfortable warmth now, and neither of us needed another drink.

"Most blood duels don't have seconds. If the instigator believes the honour imbalance too great, he can call on a second – if someone will stand for him." I stared at her. "If Jagi cuts me down, you'll be facing him next, standing for my honour even in my death."

She nodded. "And if you kill Jagi?"

"Then Allen will carry Jagi's honour and face me."

"And if one side has a second and the other does not?"

I shrugged. "Well. If no one's willing to stand up for your honour, it probably says a lot about you." Jagi had given me little time – and that was highly insulting in itself. Every Mando'ade should be allowed to call on allies from afar, and maybe I could have insisted on that without my own personal standing diminishing in front of the others.

Maybe.

Revan grunted, but dropped her gaze to the table. Her fingers were drawing idle circles on the plasteel. "Tell me something, Canderous," her voice was dark, and twisted on the words. "Did Revan have a second when she faced Mandalore?"

The question stunned me for a second. She'd spent so much time avoiding talking about herself, about Revan, that I hadn't ever expected her to lead the topic. "Of course she kriffing did," I bit out at last. "Malak stood for her. And if he hadn't, she still had the whole bloody Jedi Thirteen to back her."

Her shoulders had tensed in on themselves as she continued looking away. From what I could see of her expression, it was part-angry, part-tormented. Inwardly I damned the Jedi Order for however they had screwed with her mind. One of the most brilliant leaders to come from them, and they'd turned her into a damaged shell, a mockery of who she had once been.

Although there had been times, recently, when I wondered if she was rebuilding herself. And that thought is what kept me here, on the Ebon Hawk with snotty princesses, cheeky Twi'lek urchins, and grumpy Republic pilots.

"Malak always had her back, then," I commented darkly. "One day, he'll get what's coming to him."

Revan raised her head, rubbing at her temple while her forehead burrowed in confusion. She seemed to have no idea what I was alluding to.

"You don't turn on your comrades," I explained. "The way he snuck around, firing on her ship when she was engaged with Bastila's strike force was an honourless disgrace. If Malak wasn't man enough to challenge her to her face, then he should have left damn well alone."

Her expression was composed once more, if a bit pale. "I- I don't think the Sith follow the Mandalorian way, Canderous."

I snorted, getting to my feet. This conversation was useless. Either one day she'd get it, or she wouldn't. And if she didn't- well. I wasn't going to be a party to the Jedi keeping her weak. If she hadn't worked it out by the time we left Korriban, I was damn well going to kick her arse until she did.

"Get some rest, Jen. I'll drag you up in the morning."

Revan nodded briefly, but I stood and stared at her until she sighed, clambered to her feet, and wandered off in the direction of the port living quarters.

xXx

I'd already known that Revan wasn't at her best in the mornings, but she barely even roused when I roughly shook her awake. The Cathar was snoring quietly on a top bunk. The Bek brat and the princess were both missing – Bastila, I presumed, had once more commandeered the medbay. Before that, she'd camped out in the pilot's quarters. Seems our princess is above sleeping with the rest of the rabble.

I pulled Revan to her feet, but she collapsed back down, mumbling grumpily about caffa and sleep. Her eyes hadn't opened, and she looked ready to slump back against the hard bed.

"For the love of Mand'alor-" I muttered, clasping her hand once more, and this time strong-arming her down the hallway.

"Okay, okay!" Revan complained as we turned into the central common room. "Sun and stars, Canderous, your bedside manner is atrocious." Mission was tucked up in the corner, a spoon of food halted halfway to her mouth as she stared at both of us in wide-eyed surprise.

"I'm a man of action not words, Jen," I said, pushing her towards the benches. "Sit. I'll get some food."

Revan collapsed next to Mission was a groan. "Look, I had a full day yesterday. Forgive me if I need more than two sodding seconds to wake up."

"Jen," Mission said, dropping her spoon. "Were you two sleeping together?"

I swung my head to stare at the Twi'lek. Revan started choking, her eyes widening in surprise as she gazed in disbelief. A shadow from the cockpit's hallway heralded the arrival of Onasi, who halted at the fracas.

"Mission!" Revan gasped. "What the frell?"

I gave a brief snort of amusement as the teenager began to flush an amusing purple colour. While I wasn't one to turn down a roll in the hay, my mind was currently focused on one thing only: the blood duel. Besides, Revan was the sort who came with far more complications than I desired.

"What is going on with everyone?" Revan was muttering in disbelief. "Why does everyone think I'm getting action I certainly am not?"

I smirked. "If you desire action, darling, I'm sure I can oblige-"

"Canderous!" Revan snapped, and now it was her turn to blush as she stared in outrage, first at me, then Mission, and then Onasi, who looked remarkably displeased about the whole conversation. Revan's cheeks turned uncharacteristically red, and she groaned with embarrassment, theatrically dropping her head in her arms. I snickered.

"Okay, okay! Sheesh, you guys!" Mission threw her hands up in surrender. "Forget I said anything!"

I turned back to eyeball the synthesizer. We hadn't had real food onboard since Manaan, and due to our hurried departure from that watery planet, no one had bothered to stock up on perishable items. Which left the mush dispenser, and whatever energy ration bars the Wookiee was guarding in the cargo bay.

"Anyway…" Mission trailed off. "Topic change. Boy, am I glad you guys are back. This planet stinks. And the people are even worse. Tell me we're getting off this rock."

"As soon as we can, Mission," Revan replied, her voice muffled. "Actually, I need your help."

"Really?" the Twi'lek sounded surprised. Between the walking carpet and the paranoid pilot, they probably never let her have any fun. "Sure, what d'ya need?"

The synthesizer glooped as it squirted out a beige pile of mush onto a plasteel receptacle. "You could clean out the food machine," I grunted, placing a second plate under the machine. A light breakfast before a fight was a sound foundation; fighting on either an empty or overfull stomach was a disadvantage. "With our empty cupboards, we'll be fried if this thing breaks down."

"I need you to find a map of the shyrack caves," Revan answered as I turned around, two plates of breakfast in my hands. The Twi'lek's eyes went round.

"No way, Jen!" Mission gasped. "You're not- you're not going there?"

"The Star Map?" Onasi asked in a low tone.

Revan's gaze flicked to him before landing back on Mission. "Yeah. It's there. I've got the beginnings of a plan, but I need any sort of map Teethree can find. I'm hoping either the 'Net will yield results, or perhaps one of the spaceport traders who skirt through the caves to the mining colony have something of use."

I dumped a plate in front of Revan, and she looked up at me.

"Eat," I commanded. "We have an hour before dawn."

She nodded at me before pulling a comical face at the plate.

"Sure, I can do that," Mission said brightly. I had to hand it to the kid – her enthusiasm never let up.

Revan sat glaring at her spoon as if it were the source of all her evils, until Onasi abruptly spoke. "Did you fall asleep with your armour on, Jen?"

Revan blinked, looking at him in surprise. I shot the Republic pilot a derisive look. There was a time and a place for personal grooming, and Korriban was not it. Revan didn't answer straight away, and Onasi began to grin.

"You never heard of a refresher?" he teased.

"Not high on my list of priorities, flyboy," Revan muttered, running a hand through her matted curls. I looked her over critically, and had to concede that, maybe, Republic had a point. Revan had likely face-planted into the bed with her charred Sith robe on, the dark grey of it failing to conceal darker smatters that were either dirt or blood. Her ragged armour mesh was visible underneath, a contradiction in itself for a Force-sensitive, but then, Revan had never bothered abiding by the rules.

Even the Mando'ade only slept in our armour when we were on the battlefield.

"Remove that robe," I said suddenly. "You ain't turning up to a Mando'ade duel dressed as a Force user."

Revan shot me a startled look, before nodding and doing as I bid. The rumpled dark robe was thrown to the corner with a scowl, before Revan yawned and dropped her head into one hand.

"Are you up for this?" Carth said quietly. It was directed at Revan alone.

I growled, about to jump in but Revan beat me to it. "I'm fine. Give me a Sleheyron caffa and I'll take on Darth Malak one-handed."

"Eat," I ordered again, staring fixedly at Revan until she grimaced, and stuck the offending spoon in her mouth. I copied her. Onasi shot me an unimpressed look before turning to the kitchenette.

"So, what's the plan then, Jen?" Mission asked, leaning back against the bulkhead.

Revan's face was cast with a faraway look, as if her mind was still working it out. "The plan… Terentateks go after Force-sensitives, so one or more of us will have to lead them away… from wherever the Map is. I'll need some of you guys in the caves. And that's where any sort of map can help." Her eyes slid to Carth, who'd turned around with two cups of that disgustingly bitter brew he liked so much. "Mission, if you can get us a useful map, then Carth can coordinate our attack from the 'Hawk. I'm thinking communicators, here, and a split advance."

Onasi stepped forward, and placed one of the cups in front of Revan who threw him a grateful glance. "This is sounding like one of your standard insane plans, Jen," he muttered darkly. "And why do I get the feeling you're trying to keep me grounded?"

Revan quietly ate another spoonful before answering. "Juhani and Bastila can flesh out the details while we're at the duel. As to the latter… yeah. I'm concerned you're going to do something reckless. Are you?" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him, and Mission's were wide in confusion.

I snorted. Onasi was the cautious sort; not cowardly, no, I wouldn't label him that, but he wasn't the type to throw himself into needlessly risky situations.

Although, we were on Korriban, and he did harbour an unhealthy hatred for the Sith.

"Isn't that usually your forte?" Onasi shot back, taking a sip of his caffa.

"You're not answering the question," Revan replied, her voice going tight. "Don't be an arse, Carth. You can't rush headlong into the Academy by yourself."

I put my spoon down, staring hard at the two of them in turn. "What's going on? Why would Republic want to storm the Sithling school?"

He glanced at me briefly before turning back to face Revan, frowning. "I wasn't going to. I think."

She sighed in exasperation. "Do I have to order Zaalbar to stop you, flyboy? Because I will."

"Yes. I remember the Undercity," Onasi muttered, shooting her an unconvincing glare.

"And to think, he wasn't even life-sworn to me then," Revan drawled. "I could make him sit on you now."

I stood abruptly, sick of this conversation. It was taking the edge off my focus. And regardless, it wasn't far off time to go as we still needed to walk to the duel's location. Being late was dishonourable in itself. "As enthralling as all this is, we have a duel to get to."

Revan glanced at me, dropped her spoon, and stood. She grabbed a quick slug of caffa, before nodding to the others and following me out of the room. "See you, Mission. Stay here, Carth. We'll get this duel out of the way, hit the shyrack caves, get the Map, and then plan an extraction from the Academy before leaving this rock forever."

"You make it sound so easy," Onasi's muttered voice followed us as we walked down the 'Hawk's hallway.

"Trust in the Force!" she hollered over her shoulder. It may have been more convincing if her tone wasn't so damn impertinent.

xXx

The darkness was already lifting when we left Dreshdae, having walked silently through the mostly empty air-conditioned tunnels. Revan had been uncharacteristically edgy, eyes flicking on the few sentients around, hand tight on the vibroblade buckled at her hip. I'd forced her to leave the 'sabers behind – why she had four was another question, although I did see sense in being prepared. She hadn't been happy about it, though. Jedi and Sith alike were too dependant on their fancy glow-swords – even Revan.

"Vibroblades," she muttered as we took our first steps down the beaten path that trailed off to the caves.

I inclined my head in agreement. "Yeah. Not my choice."

"Why'd Jagi get to pick?"

"Jagi posed the challenge, he chooses the means." I shrugged. "It's true, fists and feet are the more… traditional method, but any weapon is allowed. Ain't no way Jagi would have chosen unarmed combat against me." I looked at her measuringly, raising a brow. "I can count on one hand the number of people who have beaten me in unarmed combat."

She stared at me in silence for a moment, before looking to the horizon. The first ray of sunlight peaked from within a break in the nearby cliffs. "Seems a bit unbalanced, Canderous. So all a Mandalorian has to do is challenge someone, and that someone is honour-bound to accept the time, place, and choice of weapon?"

I gave her a bland look. "It's about honour, Jen Sahara. If some mir'osik challenged me because I'd boned his sister, I'd laugh in his face and he'd lose honour for positing such a stupid duel."

I saw her mouth the word mir'osik and grinned ferally, wondering just how adept her Mando'a was. Dung for brains. The Jedi were expert at learning languages, but I doubted their slang was particularly fluent.

"Who decides whether it's honourable or not?" she said, frowning. "I mean, Jagi certainly believes he has a case, but you do not. So why were you honour-bound to accept?"

"It's… complicated." I sighed, and offered nothing more. It wasn't an easy thing to explain, to outsiders. Jagi's belief in his blood debt for my perceived glory was enough to lodge a case for a blood duel – even though he was wrong.

"Mandalorians," Revan muttered under her breath, and I chose to take it as a compliment.

There was a crowd gathering well before the entrance to the shyrack caves, and they weren't all Mando'ade. Traders of different origins and species were clustered together, the buzz of conversation audible across the barren Korriban landscape.

It slowly quietened as Revan and I approached.

"This is Mando'ade business," I growled my displeasure, eyeing over the motley crowd. "Jagi hasn't kept his trap shut."

I could see Jagi, at the head of the group of Mando'ade, already bare-chested and ready. An older man stood next to him, quietly speaking, dark markings on his face indicating his calling. My eyes narrowed. Jagi actually found an Elder on Korriban?

"(Two hundred on the larger one,)" a trader hissed in Rodese as we walked passed. He was speaking to another Rodian holding a small holo-computer.

"(Nah, they're using vibro's. I'm putting three on the younger one,)" another in the crowd muttered.

I felt a renewed surge of irritation. I had no issue whatsoever with betting, but this should have been a private honour duel. Revan looked at me sideways, before halting to address the Rodians.

"(Did you know that before duels, Mandalorians like to warm up on spectators?)" she told them innocently. A trio of rounded, dark eyes turned on her in surprise, and she shot them a feral grin. Two of them shuffled backwards, and looked at each other in concern.

"Having fun?" I drawled as she strode back to my side. "They're here, now. May as well let them make a little profit."

Revan snorted, and we both stalled in front of the Elder, who had stepped forward, a small crowd of Mando'ade at his back. I spotted Ergeron, my old drinking buddy, lurking in the crowd. He nodded to me briefly in acknowledgement.

My gaze then rested on Jagi. He was near a decade younger than me, closer in years to Revan - likely faster with a blade, and definitely angrier. None of that makes him the better warrior, though, I told myself gruffly.

"(Canderous of clan Ordo,)" the Elder intoned. "(Welcome. I am Elder Rahm of the Fett clan, and have been asked to preside over this honour duel, to ensure the debts of blood are paid and resolved.)"

My gaze narrowed. The Fett clan had been damn powerful, and suffered the most at the close of Malachor. I hadn't thought they'd had an Elder left. Something in my expression must have shown my scepticism, for the Elder – my age, so young for that honour – shifted uneasily. He raised a hand to rub at his shaven head.

"(Assistant Elder,)" he muttered. "(I was under the tutelage of Elder Targa. I still sing his battle songs.)"

As I suspected. The Fett were without an Elder since Malachor. If they allied with another clan, then maybe one day they'd regain that prestige, but the Fett had always been an arrogant bunch. As to why an assistant Elder was mucking about on Korriban with Mando'ade mercenaries… well. Likely they were as directionless as the rest of the clans.

Rahm was dressed in a loose brown robe, unassuming and simple, as was custom for the Elders who spoke for the clans. The tattoos on his face belied his lineage and experience, but his forehead was blank. The last time I'd seen Elder Theodorus - head Elder of Ordo - his forehead was more marking than skin.

Rahm clapped his hands loudly, turning to face the rest of the Mando'ade. Jagi straightened, and his brother Allen – also bare-chested – stepped to his side.

"(Let us proceed,)" Rahm said calmly. "(As the instigator, Jagi of clan Bala, you have first right to speak.)"

Fury twisted Jagi's face as he stepped forward, his black eyes fixed on mine.

"(I have a blood claim on Canderous of clan Ordo, for the decimation of clan Bala at Althir. Due to his actions as War General, my men were left undefended, and were slaughtered as we held the command post on the ground against the major Althiri offensive. Canderous of Ordo pulled back the fighter squadron that was our air support, and it turned our defense into a bloody rout,)" Jagi's voice had risen with each word. "(Clan Bala was allied with Clan Ordo, and we were heavily betrayed! It can only be resolved by blood – that of the general who gave the order!)"

Revan shifted next to me, looking like she wanted to interject. I raised a hand to her warningly. The Mando'ade spectators murmured in agreement, and I saw a duo of akaanir dala cheer at his words. Akaanir dala were specifically women who had forsaken the raising of children to live their life purely through battle alone. Although few in numbers, their dedication to warfare made them as formidable as the best of us Mando'ade warriors.

"(By the witnessing of the stars, the shedding of my blood, and the resting of the earth, my honour stands in agreement with this Mando'ade.)" Allen intoned in an angry, loud voice.

"(As the recipient, Canderous of clan Ordo, you have the right to respond,)" Rahm's voice carried loudly over the hum of the crowd.

I straightened, and glared at the crowd. "(I stayed true to the Mando'ade way. I saw an opening in the air battle that allowed us a swift victory, and would halt the destruction of the Althiri mines. My choices strengthened the position of Mand'alor and meant less Mando'ade were sent to their deaths!)"

The mercenaries had fallen silent, and the akaanir dala was scowling. The crowd wasn't with me, and the unjustness of it rankled. Jagi is their comrade. None of them know me, except by notoriety. Even so, I didn't like it.

"De haa'taylir be ka'ra, galar be ner tal, bal nuhoy be vheh, ner ijaat sonsol ti ibic Mando'ade!" Revan yelled with zeal, and the wind carried her voice to all in the crowd. I straightened with pride and with the belief that my actions had been the right ones.

Elder Rahm cleared his throat. "(The instigator or his second may now speak in response.)"

Jagi glared, and gave the traditional response when one had said all they had to offer. "(My arm will speak for itself.)"

Allen puffed up his chest as he turned away from me to face the crowd. The anger was strong with him, apparent in the set of his shoulders and the insult of his back. "(Canderous of Ordo is a disgrace to his clan. He broke from the battle plan and let us die for it, all for his own glory. He will pay the price for it today!)"

And now, a ragged cheer came from the mercenaries. I scowled.

"(The recipient or his second may now speak in response.)"

There was more I could say, but I would wait for the duel. Distraction was as valid a part of battle as any other tactic. "(My arm will speak for itself!)" I bellowed, and Revan stepped up next to me, her face set as she stared at the crowd and prepared to speak.

"(She is an outsider,)" Allen snapped, pointing to Revan before turning to spit to the side. "(She has no right to speak here.)"

"(Jen of clan Sahara is my chosen second!)" I growled. "(Respect the rules of a blood duel, young pup, or leave.)"

Revan showed no indication of Allen's insult, but instead addressed Jagi who was still standing at the head of the crowd with his arms folded. "(Does clan Bala have a blood war with clan Ordo?)" Revan asked, her voice loud and clear.

"(What?)" Jagi snapped, his brows lowering in confusion. I, too, scowled at her back. I'd expected words of support here.

Allen glared, and began to interrupt. "(Outsiders should not be-)"

"(If General Ordo's actions at Althir were dishonourable to Ordo's alliance with Bala, then Bala would have claimed a blood war. I assume they did not.)" Revan's words spoke over Allen's, and were commandingly crisp and fluent in Mando'a. Again, I had the nagging question of just how much she recalled, and how much she simply ran on instinct. "(The Mando'ade were engaged in an external war with the Republic, not a clan war. General Ordo's battle plan ensured a mightier victory for Mand'alor, and Bala must have recognized that since they have not acted with any reprisal to clan Ordo for Canderous' actions.)"

Dead silence fell over the crowd as they all stared at Revan with varying degrees of confusion. Jagi's face was contorted in a mass of emotions, like he was being forced to think on something decidedly unpleasant. Allen just looking unbearably pissed off. And I- I felt a vindication. I wasn't a bad speaker, but Revan was better.

Allen was the first to break the silence. "(What does an outsider know about Mando'ade matters?)"

"(Canderous is a great teacher,)" Revan snapped. I stepped forward to her side, shooting her a disbelieving look. We may have exchanged the odd story or two, Jedi, but you learned all this a long time before we met. Revan turned back to Jagi. "(Those who died at Althir, did so for the victory of Mand'alor, and deserve to be remembered as such. Canderous acted with honour.)"

"(What are they saying? Are they gonna fight, or what?)" a voice in Rodese whispered from behind us, and I suspected the unfortunate speaker hadn't planned for his quiet voice to carry so over the dusty clearing. As one, the Mando'ade turned to glare at the traders, an ominous growling rising from us all. My hand dropped to my vibroblade as I scowled at the overgrown insects, who'd taken several steps back, shrinking away in fright.

"(This is what happens when we allow outsiders near Mando'ade business,)" Allen spat. "(No respect-)"

"(Mand'alor's balls, Allen,)" I snarled. "(The traders were here before we were, and I certainly didn't go mouthing off to all and sundry-)"

"(Enough!)" Elder Rahm bellowed, in a belated attempt to wrest control of the situation. "(Watch your tongue, Canderous of Ordo, and show some respect for the sanctity of blood duels! And you-)" Rahm swung to face the traders, and abruptly switched into Basic. "A word more from anyone who doesn't belong here, and we will postpone the duel to wet our blades on you!"

I felt a grudging respect for the Assistant Elder, for all his initial awkwardness. He could make a stalwart Elder for the Fett one day.

"(Now,)" Rahm continued, focussing again on Jagi and I. "(All have had a chance to speak. It is time to prepare and commence.)" He nodded at me, and I began to unclasp my armour. Again, this was Jagi's choice, armour or no. He was planning on taking me out quickly, I realized, baring my teeth. He would not get the chance, no matter our shared history.

I nudged Revan, indicating she should follow suit. A faint look of surprise crossed her face before she shrugged out of the badly worn mesh shirt. She wore a thin, ragged singlet underneath, and glared at me when I looked at it pointedly.

"Uh uh," she muttered, shaking her head. "You aren't going to convince me that nakedness is mandatory."

I barked a laugh before placing my armour down by my feet. "Can't blame a man for trying," I said dryly, but my attention was already focussed on Jagi, who'd stepped away from the crowd, chest glistening under the alien light of the Korriban sun. A mild wind dusted through the clearing as I strode over to join him. It was cold, on Korriban, despite the cloudless days, but Mando'ade were bred tough. A hush had fallen over the traders and mercenaries alike as Jagi and I faced each other, both silently appraising.

"(In the Mando'ade way; stars, blood and earth. I call this blood duel to start. May the honour debt be witnessed by the stars. May it be cleansed by blood. May it be laid to rest by the earth. Begin!)" With a final clap from Elder Rahm, Jagi and I began to circle each other warily. The sun hung low in the morning sky, and I knew the first thing Jagi would try would be to position me so its rays stabbed into my vision.

But, I needed to say something more. For our history, for our shared battles, for the camaraderie we'd once enjoyed. "(You were my friend and ally, Jagi. I did not make the decision lightly. But I would do the same again.)"

Jagi's face twisted; I heard Allen snort in derision behind me, but it was his older brother and my old comrade that commanded my attention. He looked tormented.

"(I saw my father cut down in front of me. My half-sister. Three of my cousins, and my intended. I can't forgive you for that, Canderous!)"

I inclined my head. "(I'm not asking you to. But I still believe I made the right call. Not for my own glory, not for the glory of Ordo – but for the glory of Mand'alor. Opportunism and flexibility in battle are core to the way of the Mando'ade, and the results at Althir speak for themselves.)" I paused, staring at him hard, willing him to at least accept the truth of my words. ("Jagi, if it had been Ordo down there, my actions would have been the same.)"

Allen was seething with fury behind Jagi. "(You lie!)"

"Haar-chak," Jagi muttered, spitting to the side. "(Today was not meant to be like this.)" And his gaze moved to behind me, to where Revan stood. "(Your second is too damn perceptive. I begged the Elders to lodge a blood claim against Ordo. The Elders that were left after Althir. I called them cowards for their refusal. They exiled me for a year, Canderous, and I've not bothered to return. Allen and I have been directionless, and the only thing that has kept me going is the drive to see you dead for Althir.)"

We faced each other from either side of the clearing. "(I remember those of your clan who fell so we could capture the mines, Jagi. I sing their battle songs.)"

"(They died for your glory, Canderous! Why does no one else see that?)" Jagi cried, his eyes glittering with emotion. The crowd behind us was dead quiet.

"(They died for the glory of Mand'alor, Jagi,)" I contradicted gruffly. "(Mand'alor himself commended me after the battle. Bala agreed with me. I made the right choice.)" My final words carried over the silence, and I was gratified that no one, not even the furious Allen, spoke to disagree.

"(Damn you, Canderous Ordo,)" Jagi cursed, but his voice was broken. His head bowed ever so slightly. "(Damn you. You make me feel like my last few years have been meaningless.)"

I raised my chin as a murmuring broke from the Mando'ade behind Jagi, and we both raised our vibroblades in acknowledgement of each other. Something loosened in my chest as I stared at my old friend. There was no way but forward now, but his acknowledgement had, at least, restored some of my honour. Jagi gave me a slight nod, one warrior to the next, and we both stepped forward.

He would strike first with a sweeping blow, I could see, and I was ready to block-

"(Wait!)" Revan called, her voice loud and confused. "(Hang on, why is the duel still going ahead?)"

Jagi and I paused briefly while the Elder responded to her. "(It is a blood duel, Jen of clan Sahara. It will redress the balance of honour.)"

"(But wait, Jagi, do you agree that Canderous acted with honour?)" Revan went on, her hands gesturing.

Allen's face was mottling with fury. "(Would someone shut this-)"

"(I may have only seen one side of Althir,)" Jagi spoke over the top of his younger brother. "(I have sung the battle songs of my family for years, all the while blaming their death on Canderous. Their lives deserve to be remembered instead as the glory of the Mand'alor who once was.)"

"(You were not wrong to blame Canderous, brother!)" Allen called out. "(Don't listen to these poisonous words!)"

"(I think we have been blinded by grief, Allen. Maybe our Elders were correct.)" Jagi had answered Allen, but was facing me. "(Maybe Canderous does not have a debt of honour. But the duel has begun, and so it must end. For both of us, our honour shall be redressed!)"

Our blades had dropped during the conversation, so we lifted them once more. Again, I felt the harsh wind sweep through the crowd, and tasted the sulphuric tang of this environment on my tongue. Mando'ade were well-used to many different, harsh environments, and this one was a fitting end for my old friend. I did not intend to die here today, and the fight had disappeared from Jagi's spirit.

I would mourn, however, and remember him.

I made to step forward again, and was once more interrupted.

"(But- but, why?)" Revan, again, her voice going high-pitched with her inability to understand our culture.

I sighed angrily. "(Jen, shut -)"

"(You let an outsider speak for you, Canderous?)" Allen sneered. Elder Rahm closed his eyes in frustration.

"(Watch your mouth, Allen,)" I growled. "(Before I shut it for you!)"

"(I don't speak for him, I stand by him as his ally,)" Revan scoffed. "(But this just doesn't make sense. The clans are scattered, and you would let one leader kill another over a blood debt that no longer exists? How is that beneficial to the Mando'ade?)"

Jagi's vibroblade dropped to his side as he stared at Revan in disbelief. I growled, and spun around, but it was Jagi who spoke first.

"(A blood duel has begun, outsider. It must finish, by stars, blood and earth. I will not shame my clan by backing down, nor will I take away Canderous' right of reprisal.)"

Revan's face was twisted with confusion. "(But if the Mando'ade are ever going to rise to power again, then Mand'alor will need as many blooded battle leaders as he can get. Why throw your life away when surely there must be other ways to restore the honour imbalance? We're not talking blood debts anymore, merely words spoken in anger and grief!)"

"(Jagi, if you don't start duelling Canderous, then I am going to punch that bitch-)"

"(If you feel like you owe Canderous a debt, then ask him what you can do to restore it! If you feel like it shames your clan, then consult a Bala Elder! Or better yet, an Ordo Elder, to redress the balance!)" Revan hollered over Allen's venomous words, and her eyes blazed with righteousness. "(But throwing your life away does not bring glory to either Bala or the Mando'ade!")

Dead silence fell over the area. Even the akaanir dala had quietened, watching the proceedings intently. There was no murmur of discontent from the crowd. Revan made a damn good case, and killing my old friend and comrade left a bad taste in my mouth – but she wasn't Mando'ade. She wasn't Mando'ade. How could any of us accept her judgement?

And - the blood duel had already begun.

Elder Rahm cleared his throat then, loudly and a touch awkwardly. The crowd collectively swung its gaze to him.

"(There are, er, precedents)," he muttered sheepishly, looking down. His mouth tightened, and then his chin jerked up as his demeanour hardened. "(The outsider Jen Sahara speaks with wisdom. There have been cases in the past. Jaeneri of clan Fett challenged Bodo of clan Arkar over a territorial dispute. They did not duel to completion – Bodo admitted shame and offered five years service as Jaeneri's ground general in the war against clan Tansa. The debt was forgiven after the service, and Arkar and Fett allied for many generations.)"

"(One example,)" Allen muttered. "(You think to weigh the honour of my brother on the shrewish words of an outsider, and one incident in the past?)"

"(No,)" Elder Rahm snapped as Revan glared at Allen. "(More than just one. Gordo of Varad and Delsa of Kelborn dissolved their blood duel after agreeing to a liquor-dhezi trade that benefitted both their clans. And Jenera of Bralor lay down her sword against Mend of Kelborn, once Mend agreed to marry her sister.)" Rahm grimaced. "(Although that one did not end so well.)

"(I would have thought that Jagi is the speaker of Jagi's honour, rather than his little brother,)" Revan said in a low voice. And then she smirked, eyeing him over dismissively. "Mir'osik," she added.

Allen's face twisted with anger, and before I could say anything he growled, strode forward, and launched a sweeping roundhouse directly at Revan. Her face was set, focussed, and I wondered if she'd picked a fight deliberately. She ducked under Allen's fist and darted to the side.

My old friend sighed, and stepped up next to me. His blade was, once more, held loosely at his side. "(Do we duel, or do we not, Canderous? I look at you, and see the deaths of my family.)" Jagi's words were low, and for the first time held no anger. Just an immeasurable grief.

"(If you agree that I acted with honour at Althir, then I have no ill will towards you, Jagi of Bala,)" I said, my eyes fixed on the unfolding brawl in front of us. Allen punched his fist towards Revan again, and she easily dodged to the right. "(Bala paid a heavy price for Althir, and I acknowledge that. I've always acknowledged that.)"

I could hear the murmurs of the traders behind us as they busily rewrote their betting schedule. One of the akaanir dala cheered as Revan leapt clear of a swinging kick. Elder Rahm strode over to us, his face a question as he skirted around the fistfight that Revan had started. I smirked. Revan will grind Allen into the dust.

"(Jagi of clan Bala, do you still claim a blood debt of Canderous of clan Ordo?)" Elder Rahm asked, and his voice was loud enough to be heard. Allen swung his head around at that, outrage contorting his long, angular face, but whatever he planned to say was transformed to a grunt as Revan dropped in a crouch and kicked a boot into his shins, catching him off-guard and causing him to stumble back.

Jagi sighed, still staring at me, and I was reminded of the years we had trained together. "(It is time for me to travel home,)" Jagi said at last. "(I will speak with the Bala Elders, and – if need be – the Ordo Elders. But for now, I have no blood claim on Canderous of Ordo.)" His mouth twisted. "(I retract any claim that Canderous acted with dishonour.)"

"(Jagi!)" Allen howled. "(What are you doing?")

"(Aw, have you conceded to me already?)" Revan taunted, causing a snicker from one of the akaanir dala. Allen's face mottled with temper.

"(I'll tread you into the dirt, you foul-tongued wench!)" Allen shouted, leaping forward to launch a flurry of wild blows aimed at Revan's head. She weaved backwards and ducked underneath, dancing out of his way.

"(Canderous of clan Ordo, do you claim a blood debt, or a right of reprisal, from Jagi of clan Bala?)" Rahm intoned.

"(No,)" I said loudly. "(I understand grief. But the next person who sheds doubt on my honour will see my fists. This I swear, on the name of Mand'alor!)"

"(There is no blood debt here.)" Elder Rahm proclaimed. "(By stars, blood and earth, I decree this blood duel dissolved.)"

"(No!)" Allen roared, and his darkly furious gaze fixed on Revan. "(This is your doing, you- you- you outsider pig-hen!)"

Revan sniggered, her hands still guarding her face. "(Is that the best you can do, Allen of Bala?)"

"(Allen!)" Jagi called, which turned into a sigh as Allen lashed out at Revan with a piercing side-kick that failed to connect. Jagi shot me an irritated sideways look. "(Allen has always been hot-tempered. He'll down her with the first blow he lands, unless you step in, Canderous.)"

I snorted. "(I wouldn't dishonour her so. Let him try to bloody himself on her.)" If Allen was victorious and took things too far – considering his venomous anger, that was not unlikely – then I would intervene, and Jagi's words told me he granted me leave to. I gave Jagi a dangerous smile. "(I've been training her.)"

Revan launched forward with an uppercut that Allen blocked roughly, before he counter-attacked with a solid fist that sunk deep into her kidneys. Not well enough, it seems, I thought with a grimace as Revan collapsed to the dust with a groan.

Her speed saved her; a desperate roll to the side that let her avoid the solid boot that Allen aimed at her head. With a leap to her feet, Revan jumped backwards, turning to spit dirt out of her mouth. Her hand briefly rested on her side before raising to guard her face once more.

"(You have no right to speak on Mando'ade matters!") Allen snarled, advancing on her again.

"(The Elder has spoken, dung for brains,)" Revan shot back. "(There is no debt of honour.)"

"(Allen leaves his guard open,)" I asserted to Jagi. "(He's strong, but his defense is riddled with holes.)"

Revan darted around Allen, leaping back to avoid another powerful kick.

"(And your Jen Sahara doesn't have the strength to match him,)" Jagi replied. "(She'll tire herself out dancing around him.)"

"(No she won't,)" I denied flatly.

"(Stop moving, you coward!)" Allen hollered as she ducked under another left hook. Revan's expression was pure concentration as she circled around Allen, weaving back out of reach or dodging sideways to avoid his fists. She's taking her time, I realized. Making him angry and wild. It was working, Allen's face was contorting in rage with every blow that failed to connect.

In a match of pure talent, it would be no contest, of course. But Revan was holding back on her speed. She wants to make sure the Force isn't helping her. She wants to make it a clean victory. It was the right thing to do, and I found myself nodding in approval.

Allen launched forward in a powerful but unguarded kick, and Revan ducked underneath, grabbed his swinging foot, and thrust him on his back into the dirt. I heard a loud jeer from one of the traders as Revan leaped forward and kicked out hard with a boot to Allen's side. She was about to strike again, when he grabbed her foot and she went down, sideways into the dust at his side. The crowd gasped as Allen lunged for her with a punch that slammed into the clay ground just where her head had been a second ago.

Revan twisted out of his reach and leaped to her feet before he did. The moment he was halfway up, she launched into a vicious kick aimed directly at his head.

Revan landed in a crouch, and Allen landed in the dust.

I smirked at Jagi, and his gaze back was thoughtful and measured.

As the two scrambled back to their feet, I could see that Allen was affected; his fists were slow to rise, and I wondered if his balance was compromised. Revan, on the other hand, looked alert and ready for more as she rested on the balls of her feet.

"(Allen,)" Jagi said sharply. "(Enough. Jen of clan Sahara is correct, and you are making Bala look foolish with your inability to contain your temper.)"

Allen shot his brother a betrayed, disbelieving look. Revan kept her eyes on Allen, but dropped her fists.

"(Jagi!)" Allen protested, but he swayed slightly on his feet. The kick to the head had been brutally efficient.

"(Stand down, Allen.)" Jagi ordered, before turning to look at me. He sighed again. "(I will let the Elders direct me, Canderous. One day, Mand'alor will rise again, and I will be able to serve him with pride. If we meet again, I cannot say for certain if it will be from behind crossed weapons or allied ones.)"

"(Fare thee well, Jagi,)" I replied quietly.

Jagi motioned to his brother, who threw Revan one last hateful glare. Revan's expression was impassive, all traces of mockery gone. "(If I see you again, I'll destroy you, outsider,)" Allen hissed.

"(Quiet, brother, and follow.)" Jagi's words were like whiplash, and he turned on his heel and strode away. Allen, a hand pressed to the side of his head, finally capitulated and hurried after him.

I stared after Jagi for some time in silence, my thoughts awhirl. This was more than just an unexpected ending – to walk away from a blood duel without blood being spilled and honour being lost was unheard of. My gaze fixed on Elder Rahm. Well, rarely heard of. Jagi's concession had been an exoneration, but it was more than my old comrade that was causing me to think harder than I liked.

Revan's words about a new Mand'alor rising made me wonder if I'd been gone too long from the clans. I wasn't the leader of Ordo, but I wasn't far off – and my influence during the war had been great. If the time was right, I could do a lot for the Mando'ade. And maybe we had been directionless too long. I needed time to think on this, time I'd have while I followed Revan, and aided her in her quest.

The irony of these words coming from her was rich, and I was the only one who would recognize it. That Revan, she who led the breaking of my people, would speak of Mand'alor's rise was interesting indeed. I wondered if she would say the same when she fully understood her own identity. And she would, one day soon, I would see to it.

My gaze caught on Ergeron, walking in my direction with one of the akaanir dala. The akaanir dala was eyeing me over with an appreciative gleam that I recognized, and I realized that my day was about to dramatically improve. Akaanir dala fought hard, and they played hard, too. I began to grin.

"Canderous," Revan said quietly from my side. "I need you in the shyrack caves."

I inclined my head to her, still staring at the approaching akaanir dala whose name I was about to discover. Her armour shone and I thought it might be beskar iron. She carried her helm under a tanned and toned arm, and smiled at me from beneath braided blonde hair.

"You have my strength, Jen." I told Revan absently. "I'll return to the Hawk this evening."

Revan grimaced, and that caught my attention. Evening, I saw, was not going to suffice. "My instincts tell me there's going to be an uprising at the Academy, Canderous. We need to extract at least two people before that happens." She sighed. "And we need to get the Map first. I can give you an hour… but then we must go."

I stared at her flatly, seeing her green eyes narrow with thoughts and plans and actions. "Is that an order, Jen?" I asked softly.

She stayed silent for a moment, her gaze intent upon mine. "If I lead, will you follow?"

I knew, then, deep in my gut, that I would.

For the warrior she had been, and maybe still was. For how she had influenced today's proceedings. For the fact that she was my comrade, and we had shared enough battles that I would also call her my friend.

I gave her a nod of assent. "One hour, Jen. I'll see you on the 'Hawk in one hour."

She gave me a brief grin, and left.

xXx