Chuundar holds his own against Freyyr before knocking the older Wookiee down then prepares to ram his staff into the knocked Wookiee's chest. Zaalbar lunges at him after seizing the kicked away Bacca blade. The two wrestle for several minutes before Zaalbar incidentally stabs Chuundar in the stomach. The self-styled traitor growls at his avenging brother before muttering something about what makes you think this will go any better now.
Zaalbar responds by saying what kind of world, what kind of people would exist by your methods. Chuundar gasps then dies before summoning a response. The reunion of Freyyr and Zaalbar is bittersweet as the rest of Chuundar's followers are already dead or requesting exile to the Shadowlands for the defeat or for not believing in Zaalbar all those years ago.
"It is done, but there is still one other matter to attend to…" says Jolee.
"What is that? The weapon you found in the Shadowlands…" replies Borden.
***
The hearing to determine Jaarak's fate exposes Rorwoor's involvement in Chuundar's schemes, which troubles Rorwoor's clan brother, Woorwill. Borden's defense of Jaarak's attempt to take the fall for Rorwoor surprises Worrroznor, the Holder of Laws. The Holder clears him and Borden earns the awkward respect of Woorwill. Worrroznor also expresses a humble respect for Borden's defense.
"I effort to do the honorable thing even if it means challenging something that can easily offend someone else for my actions and intentions…"
"He says that you behave like us to a degree by doing that, but as Freyyr has said you are quite possibly one of the few who remain welcome after we drive out Czerka…"
"I would like to help you there…"
"We would welcome your aid he says of you and anyone who fights beside you…"
Zaalbar and Mission bid their farewells to Freyyr and the other Wookiees. They join up with Borden, Bastila, Juhani, and Jolee as the Wookies prepare to arm up for the uprising against Czerka. The Jedi lead separate groups of Wookiees to break through the Czerka barricades. Carth radios everyone until Borden finally responds after several minutes of intense fighting.
"We are kind of in the middle of something Carth…"
"I notice the Czerka security mercs are on the move because the Wookiees are attacking Czerka checkpoints… why do I think you have something to do with that?"
"The death of Chuundar has tipped them off that their strongest inside supporter is dead and the Wookiees had been on the fence about chasing out Czerka… our involvement here precipitated action against Czerka or at least showed them its possible…"
"You need any help?" shouts Canderous.
"I need you two to get the dock clear of the mercs, use the droids if you think its necessary, 47 was designed for this kind of fighting…"
"Yes Master, meatbag termination is one of my specialties…"
"You watch where you are shooting droid or you are going off line permanently!"
"You are allies of the Master; I will not harm you without termination commands…"
Carth, Canderous, and HK-47 load up then descend the ramp to fight their way through armed Czerka personnel closing in on the Ebon Hawk. The droid's precision is uncanny, which almost makes Canderous jealous, but then he realizes it is just a program function in an assassin droid though it expresses glee at killing. He thinks back to a time where killing used to excite him except now he does it only when told so or feels it necessary to kill someone else.
***
The Wookiee Uprising is a success though there is still some leftover fighting across the planet, but Czerka is largely in retreat. Freyyr resumes the chieftain mantle and requests that Zaalbar continue his life debt to Borden though Zaalbar intends to return when he can because it has been good to be home despite the situation. Borden agrees to return once their quest for the Star Forge is done. Bastila and Jolee confer in the privacy of the Hawk's medbay while the others are still acquiring or moving new supplies aboard the ship.
"Czerka is bailing out, but what happen down in the Shadowlands concerns me…"
"What do you mean Jolee?"
"Do not play me for an idiot…"
"It was the Council's decision…"
"How many times are people going to use that excuse for what is going out there between the so-called Jedi and the alleged Sith?"
"For someone who was been wandering the Galaxy and later existing like a hermit here, you sure get to the point of questioning things left and right…"
"What else am I going to say, be the usual cranky misfit I am or not?"
"Stopping answering questions with questions…"
"At my age, enigma and being a pain in the neck are about the biggest jolts…"
"I would only ask that you allow me to decide the time for revelations…"
"You are already up to three maps if I understand the correlation program correctly…"
"If you are going on the rest of the way with us, you better stop this now!"
"Finally, you really have got to stop letting things jam inside you otherwise you really will forget what it means to be an essence first and an existence second…"
***
"Package is lost, repeat package is lost, next destination unknown…"
"Recipients on full alert…"
***
The Wookiees bid a final farewell as the Ebon Hawk ascends upward a short distance then zip into the atmosphere before clearing Kashyyyk's orbit in order to reach the lane for a jump to Manaan. Jolee offers his field training in the service as the ship's medic. He examines Mission and Zaalbar for any injuries and what not from their captivity in the village. He finds none fortunately and after finds himself being approached by Carth.
"You get any wounds during the fighting?" chuckles Jolee.
"No, I got lucky, as lucky as I usually get" replies Carth.
"If it is not medical, then I am not sure what I can do for you…"
"I am glad you came out of 'retirement' to help us stop Malak…"
"Do not think I am here simply because you were already out to stop Malak…"
"Stopping Malak is part of this mission…"
"There are other things going on here on more personal, psychological, and dare I say spiritual levels…"
"What do you mean?"
"The Jedi are having a crisis of faith by sending three Padawans, two soldiers, a mechanic, a Wookiee, and two droids to undermine the Sith movement when it has the worst kind of leader imaginable… a man that believes he is the man for the job…"
"The first part sounds rather pessimistic yet the other part sounds like part of why we are here…"
"You are here to get revenge Saul Karath for Telos, for your wife, for your son. Bastila is here because of her connection to Borden, to Revan, to Malak, and her Battle Meditation makes her a tool for the Council's war with Malak. Juhani is here because she is too temperamental for the Masters, but not for Borden or anyone else here. Canderous is here because he finds more purpose in following this crew than anything else since the Wars ended four years ago. Mission and Zaalbar owe their lives to Borden, to you, and to Bastila… the list goes on… so do not try serving up patriotism to me…"
"No wonder the Council booted you…"
"They never booted me, they left me, they judged me, and I lived through it. I lost a lot of things like anyone else on this ship, but I never lost my convictions or my ability to endure the curves and cruelties that crop up regularly… so if you are done preaching, I would like to get some food and rest…"
Carth turns and leaves the older Jedi to his devices. Canderous enters with some cuts from working on the swoop bike in the garage. Jolee cleans up the Mandalorian's cuts before he begins to speak to him. Jolee pays mind to listen to Canderous' words.
"I take it you met the fly boy, he does have designs on Karath, I knew that much from the start, as for the Princess, she is walking sponge, and for the leader, the real leader here is Borden, perhaps the most capable sort I have seen years, a shame he is not Mandalorian…"
"If he was you would have never lost the Wars, am I right?"
"It felt likely after watching him fight his way out a battalion of Czerka mercs or even back after he won that swoop race on Taris or any number of other moments I have seen him fight… he disconnects from the frenzy yet remains in focus of his movements…"
"That kind of focus is incredibly rare, especially for Force users, Ulic Qel-Droma was the last person I ever knew of that could do that… yet Borden also shares weapon usage styles in common with Exar Kun…"
"You knew Exar Kun?"
"Not exactly, but he inspired his followers with a similar charisma that has drawn all to you to Borden. My late wife joined his cause, 'fell' to the dark side; I was tried, but forgiven for my 'crimes' by the Jedi. I felt I deserved punishment and they let me off the hook. At first they condemned me for training her than forgave me just as easily despite not killing her when I had the chance…"
"The Jedi always struck me as strange in different ways that the Sith inspired us in that their honesty about their dislike of others that did not follow their cause…"
"The Sith are direct, manipulative, but never as evil as we think just as the Jedi are blunt, deceptive yet not as good as one might think…"
"For a man that lived as a drifter and defender for most of his life, you certainly have things well thought out…"
"I am certain for your experiences in the Wars; you have similar moments that have yet to challenge you in the moment…"
"You would not be wrong on that count, but there are things we are all not proud that we have to live with though I am certain you know that Bindo…"
Jolee leaves the medbay for the Cargo Hold for some food then to find a place to sleep off the journey to Manaan, the next world on the list for the Star Maps. Juhani slips into a meditating sleep trance to heal from the battles in the Shadowlands and from the uprising in the villages. Bastila sleeps off the journey in the port dormitory with Mission whereas Zaalbar sleeps the trip off in the starboard one where Canderous sleeping thanks to Jolee's sedative cream for his cuts.
***
Carth and Borden keep the first watch on the trip to Manaan, which will take a few days in contrast with the jump from Tatooine to Kashyyyk.
"How many of the others are you going to butt heads with before this over?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Mission, Bastila, Canderous, Jolee, and occasionally me," says Borden.
"What are you eavesdropping on me?"
"These walls are thinner than you think and the others do talk about these things…"
"A change of clothes, a different look, and still I get the receiving end…"
"Its not about balancing acts or anything along those lines, its about moving on despite the hell some of us go through along the way in our lives…"
"Easy for you to say what kind of hell have you been through before this stuff…"
"I saw my father waste away from a terminal disease when I was around Mission's age. I watched my mother gradually forget everything including me so I had to remind her about things constantly otherwise she would flip out when someone 'new' made an appearance. She eventually died too after I joined up and I was never able to get back to Deralia since before all this began. I have lost people just like anyone else on this ship, loss, death, war; all of it is an element of my life…"
"This is going to turn into another compare scars moment…"
"Not my point, you have got to let go of your anger before it destroys you Carth…"
"Anger among other things has kept me going this long…"
"At what cost Onasi?" asks Borden
"Stick to flying… talk is getting old right now."
The two spend the rest of their shift in silence before Canderous and Bastila come to relieve them. Borden finds Jolee chatting with Mission while Zaalbar is still sleeping. In some ways, the Wookiee had longs since earned the right to sleep a little longer especially after what happen on Kashyyyk before and since his return there. Borden joins Mission for a pazaak game, their first in a long time, and Jolee invites Juhani to spar with him using conventional blades instead of their lightsabers for a start.
***
The Leviathan, Malak's quarters
"I believe you intend to report another failure, this is getting tiresome Admiral Karath…"
"Forgive me, Lord Malak, but as you already suspect Calo Nord failed…"
"Never sound a bounty hunter to do a Sith Lord's job…"
"Who do you intend to send after them now?" asks Karath
"Darth Bandon, my apprentice will track them to their next destination, given the last assassin's squad failure to report in from Kashyyyk, I am guessing they will be traveling to Manaan…"
"Why Manaan?" remarks Karath
"A natural progression at least to a Jedi like Bastila… no Jedi is foolish enough to set foot on Korriban, but then again I presume since I was a fallen Jedi there not many years ago myself…"
"They will inevitably go there after finishing on Manaan, if they survive whatever happens there at any rate…"
"Bastila and Onasi had proven resourceful so far, and this third player, the one responsible for getting them off Taris, he represents a dangerous unknown, but I suspect in time my suspicions will either be proven or not…"
"You do not believe that…"
"It does not matter what I believe, but we must make plans to eliminate the Star Map platforms starting with the one on Dantooine and destroy the Enclave to cover our tracks while also putting an end to the Jedi presence there… the people will never forgive for collateral devastation too…"
"As you command my Lord…"
Saul Karath had grown accustom to following orders long before serving Darth Malak or his predecessor Darth Revan. The Mandalorian Wars had turned everything on its head, but same could have been said for any interstellar conflict or even local planetary battles. Telos had been the crucible for him to gain the confidence of the Sith, whether Malak made the call or Revan did, almost no longer mattered except Karath never thought Revan reckless in his demands. He had stuck to the belief that Malak if presented with the request from Revan had the option of not committing unless he like Karath was afraid of the consequences that come with refusing a superior.
Whatever the case, Saul knew he was going to have to answer for that if he survived his service to the Sith, and if anyone decides to own him up to it. The man at the top of his arbiter list is Carth Onasi. The two had been like a mentor and a student in the Wars, but Carth made a point of calling going over to the Sith, a betrayal of everything we thought we fought for in the Wars. Saul however paid no mind to qualms instead made the press about being on the winning side.
The Civil War had hit a stand still after Malak's failed attempt to kill Bastila during the Jedi's attempt to capture Revan. The battles kept swinging back and forth following that incident. Saul retires to his cabin for the night and pushes the unexpected overload of thoughts out of mind for the time being. The crew of the Ebon Hawk like he or Malak still had a part to play in this mess before the end.
***
Ahto City, Manaan
Several Days Later…
The Ebon Hawk lands with clearance from the Ahto City's Docking Bay, a sub-branch of the Ahto City Civilian Authority. A Republic marine is visibly arguing with a Sith officer outside the Hawk's hangar deck. Borden takes Jolee and Carth with him to speak to the Republic marine after the officer leaves the agitated soldier alone. Canderous heads off alone to the cantina, which doubles as a swoop rider lounge and track runs along the inlet nearby. Bastila and Juhani decide to visit some of the merchants for browsing while Mission takes T3 to a droid repair shop for some maintenance. Zaalbar and HK-47 are left to watch the ship.
Borden watches Bastila head off with Juhani while Carth is in a long chat with the marine. Jolee puts his face in his hand knowing that look on Borden's face. Borden looks to the older Jedi who then looks up with a smile and slips a chuckle. Borden asks Jolee to step aside a moment. The two start talking about Jolee's past, which he is again deliberately vague about though loosens up more than he had back on Kashyyyk.
"What happen to Nayama?"
"The usual dark side story would work if you were talking to anyone else, but for me, I loved her too much to kill her after her 'fall' to join Exar Kun. I met her while working as a smuggler by sneaking supplies into the Ukatis System, which was stuck with its own tyrant. The Senate opted not to help them so I took matters into my own hands…"
"A brave decision if I ever heard one from somebody going against the Senate and the Order…"
"I paid the price more as time went on, things always seem better in the beginning before you learn the lessons the hard way, the Senate's objections were brief because soon enough the blockade on the system ended…"
"Perseverance… "
"Perseverance, yes, but after marrying and training Nayama, the Order was furious…"
"Old attachment warnings…"
"That too, they initially seemed ready to punish me for my 'failure' with Nayama, but then like a switch back, they decided to 'promote' me instead, it was then they failed me, not the other way around… the rest is history…"
After the crossing from West Central to Ahto West, an older human female approaches the men. Jolee's brow frowns for a moment then he looks to the woman who looks half scared and half surprised to see him there. Borden and Carth hang back while the two talk about whatever she is telling him now. Jolee returns to them and drags Borden back with him. Carth looks slightly amused though very worried about the heck is going on here.
"My husband Sunry, a retired Republic soldier, is held by the Civilian Authority for murder of a woman named Elassa, a known Sith associate. Jolee has agreed to lend his assistance as he is an old friend, but it would be preferable to have an outsider act as arbiter and investigator for the case."
"I offer my services then, Jolee, after I get clearance I will need to talk with them, and Carth I will need you to get whatever information you can from the Warden. As for me, I will investigate the scene and whatever else I can do…"
***
"Confirmation package is on Manaan…"
"Observations resume, tabs on movements, inform company…"
***
The crime scene is a hotel in East Central, which incidentally places it opposite of the Republic Embassy in Ahto City. A curious fact already aside from the victim being a Sith associate and the alleged perpetrator being an ex-Republic soldier. Jolee heads there after speaking with Elora and Sunry heads there to question the front desk personnel about Sunry. Carth arrives shortly after Borden finishes talking to the hotel owner about the crime timeframe.
"The owner claims Sunry was already on his way out by the time the shots were fired even though his war wound makes him limp so he is not quick, which in my mind tells me at least two things why kill if people are going to see you leaving especially with a limp…"
"Right, what else?" remarks Carth.
"They met here regularly, they were having an affair, something the Sith might use to their advantage. Two guests from that night are still staying here, I am questioning Firith Me while you speak to Gluupor…" continues Borden.
***
"What can you tell me about the night of the crime?" ask Borden.
"I heard them fighting about something, he might have been trying to call it off."
"What else…" continues Borden.
"She was not just an associate, she dressed like one of those Dark Jedi or something, now am I getting paid for this?" retorts Firith
"Here are the credits for your trouble, just be sure to stick to your story on the stand."
"Believe me the credits will do the words and legwork…"
***
"So what did you witness or hear that night…" questions Carth.
"I saw him limping away, the shots were fired, but I cannot be sure if he was already out of the area…" replies Gluupor.
"How did his medal get on the victim…" continues Carth.
"They…"
"They what…"
"I was paid to plant it, to link the murder to him…"
"Who paid?"
"A Sith 'investigator' was around not long after the arrest, he 'suggested' it, so to save my neck I went along, last thing I need is losing my business here, getting jobs with a Selkath ban marker on your record, is financial ruin…"
"Thank you for your time, credits for your time too…"
***
"What did you learn…" inquires Jolee.
"The owner swears Sunry was already on his way out when he heard the shots. Gluupor partially confirms that plus he made the plant, which promises a circumstantial twist to the medal as valid evidence of guilt. Firith states Elassa was a Dark Jedi. Gluupor confirms the Sith investigator bribed him to plant the medal after the fact," replies Carth.
"I think we have everything locked up then…as for the Embassy, they admit knowledge of Sunry's involvement with Elassa, but no mention of her true involvement with the Sith."
"You think we are ready Jolee?"
"It is now or later, up to you Borden…"
"We still need to find a way down to where the Star Map is…"
***
Both factions in the current war maintain passive relations with the Selkath, but both sides are plotting ways to secure a foothold of a kind though they are both being very below the scanners about it. The arrival of the Ebon Hawk's crew naturally complicates things, but still everyone has an agenda in this meeting at the Republic Embassy.
"It is an unexpected pleasure to have a visit from a Jedi, let alone several Jedi, and Captain Onasi, rumors had been circulating around about your fate after the Spire's destruction… seems nothing can get you…" says Roland Wann.
"We need a way down to the Hrakert Rift…"
"We have one of the few submersibles available in Ahto City, and in order for you to borrow it is for you to find a way to infiltrate the Sith Base here to recover one of our missing unmanned diving scouts. It has highly sensitive data in regarding our research regarding the Rift…"
"What methods are available to gain access to the base?" inquires Borden
"Pass card decryption, sneaking into their hangar deck over in the Docking Bay then using the shuttle to get in through the back door, or interrogating a Sith prisoner for security codes…"
"We are going to need pass cards even for a back door entry…"
"What about Sunry's trial?"
"We will get to it, but I think we still need a secure route to the Rift."
"Your call as usual, I am just along for the ride."
***
Jolee heads back to find Elora to inform them of their progress as the trial is not until two days from now. He tells her they are pursuing every lead, how unlikely, she smiles, and hugs Jolee yet he cannot help, but wonder why Borden would involve himself in covert Republic operations that could compromise the neutrality agreements. Canderous arrives with a slightly demurred look on his face. Carth claps the Mandalorian on the shoulder, but then the Mandalorian gives the fly boy a nice sharp slug in the shoulder.
"What was that for?" retorts Carth
"I saw someone I knew at the track, Jagi, a sergeant under my command, like others who served with me, I never knew how many got through the Wars alive, but he is discernibly angry with me about Althir…"
"I guess he would be when the Mandalorians sent numbers against a useless position to attack…"
"It broke the lines as a distraction so then the others could avoid being caught in useless standoffs…"
"I doubt he sees it that way…"
"On target as usual flyboy…"
"So what does he want?"
"Over between us, I am suppose to meet on Tatooine to answer for my 'dishonor', so I cannot let this lie for long, so I have come this far with you both and the others, you made time for them, I expect the same, if you honor me as I honor you…"
"I am a man of my word Canderous; we get you to this show down on time…"
"Truly a warrior in you Borden… not sure about you yet Onasi…"
"I am not so sure about you either Ordo…"
"Smart man… so where are we going now?"
"A Sith Base, Republic wants some eyes only information recovered as soon as possible, I have pass cards, but we are taking the back door, I doubt Carth could just walk in there unless I involve one of the others in his place."
"I see the dilemma with all the Jedi on our crew, its like waving a literal give away target post on your chest…"
"Back door it is then…"
***
Sith Private Hangar Deck
"What do you think you are doing here Republic scum?" the Overseer
"I am taking your shuttle, that's what I am doing Sithspit!" retorts Carth
***
Canderous snipes the Sith troopers and officers running towards them while Borden holds off the Dark Jedi. Carth starts up the shuttle and prepares it for launch after getting the security codes from the hangar officer. Canderous covers Borden as he boards the shuttle, and then he joins them after vaporizing the remains using a new particle disruptor. It leaves vague scorch markers, but the auto-cleaning system built into the deck by the Sith with the permission of the Civilian Authority will wash away the marks.
The cameras are only inside the city, not in the actual hangars, which works to their advantage. The trip to the back door entrance takes a pinch of time, obviously longer then the direct fake authorization to enter at the front desk. Carth lands the shuttle and they exit into the back door corridor. It seals behind them once they are through and a patrol has them made the instant they step through, but they are shot down before they can verbally alarm the rest of the base.
They find the missing UDS easily enough, but something else is amiss as Borden starts encountering Dark Jedi while trying to find a way out of the Base, which is liable to be only getting out through the front door. Canderous mentions a Selkath going on about missing youths including his daughter Shasa. They overhear a group of Selkath bickering in the Base' barracks, but also hear faint moans coming from the Base' medbay.
Borden enters the medbay with the other two watching his back. He kneels down to a dying Selkath in a poor facsimile of a Dark Jedi apprentice uniform. The Selkath hands him a necklace and says something like get her out of here, get Shasa out of here. Canderous says that was the kid's name, and Carth suggests looking for them then leading them out of here. They find the 'missing' Selkath in the Barracks, and then find themselves having to the fight the last of the Dark Jedi and their Selkath apprentices too.
The Dark Jedi Master's quarters have multiple data files pertaining to recruitment of Selkath to infiltrate the Civilian Authority and militarize the rest to dominate the planet to gain the upper hand on the kolto manufacturing plants. Carth bags the files; Canderous leads the Selkath while Borden scouts ahead knocking out or disarming the remaining Sith personnel. The ride back to the surface ends outside the surface entrance in Ahto East.
The Civilian Authority is there to arrest them for violating the laws of Ahto City and the neutrality agreements. Borden, Carth, and Canderous are put into a separate lockup from where Sunry is held. A Selkath arbiter is taking up there case and asks for defense evidence. Borden declares he will defend himself and tells the Warden to have the judges to examine the data files taken from the offices in the Sith Base. They are let out from lockup without even a formal hearing as the Sith are now persona non-grata in Ahto City aside from their trial of Sunry.
Borden's defense amount to locating the 'missing' Selkath on the behalf of Shaelas, and there is also the datapad evidence given to Shaelas to confirm the Sith's intentions to convert the Selkath youth to do their bidding in order to gain the majority of the Kolto. After the hearing, they are met by Jolee's frustrated glare, but he defers the agitation to not being told exactly everything about their plans for the Sith Base. He is glad they were able to cover their collective butts by assigning the 'missing' Selkath search as a cover for the missing Republic modules that are sent back to Wann through him.
"Some risk you took going down there, not just for the almost purely political data modules, but for an almost personal cause of finding the missing Selkath, exposing the Sith's plans for them and others like them…"
"You do what you can because no one else will…"
"Almost reminds me of something someone else said to me a long time ago…"
"Someone said something similar to me, but I can barely who it was, it might have my mother, though my memories of childhood are not so clear…"
"Memories of the past often get knocked around after awhile, you remember some things better than others and forget others things all too easily…"
"What did Roland say about the submersible?"
"He is willing to provide it, but it will take time to prepare for the journey to that depth, plus he also wants us to investigate the Station down there…"
"What station?"
"It seems the Republic is taking extreme risks to assure the Sith do not gain the kolto advantage here, but they lost contact with the facility in recent days, which explains why their UDS was in Sith hands…"
"How does our search keep getting mangled with local politics?"
"Don't ask me soldier, I am just a Mandalorian…"
"Coincidences, even incidental ones, are real, but I never trust them…"
"Any reason for that call?" asks Jolee
"In my experiences such things are linked because everything is colliding right now… actually always in collision…"
"Strange choice of words, but makes sense… I guess we should tackle the trial next…"
***
"Your Honors, we are here to ascertain the guilt of Sunry in the murder of Elassa…"
"We have not set things one way or the other yet, so I prefer to wait on the testimonies and evidence…"
"A wise decision," states Shelkar.
The first witness, the East Central hotel owner, Ignus approaches the stand. The Sith prosecutor questions the man, and remarks the man is lying about the events, claims perjury. Borden objects that the Prosecutor is speculating or leading the witness as he claims during his investigation that Ignus told him the same series of events that he just told the Court. The judges sustain the objection, and the Prosecutor retracts his claim. The second witness, Firith, takes the stand and slides the case back towards guilty by commenting on the alleged affair.
"Was Elassa a Dark Jedi?" asks Borden
"Yes, I saw her carrying a weapon similar to yours except hers had a red glow, she threatened me with it once though she later said it was a tease, not serious…"
"One further question, did you see the crime committed?" inquires Borden
"No I did not, I heard shots, but I am going with what Ignus said about him being already out of the area by the time those shots were fired…"
The Prosecutor visibly flinches and Firith steps down as Gluupor takes his place. The Prosecutor asks if Gluupor knew about the offender's past, and learns of Sunry's military service killing Sith in the Sith War decades ago. A speculation is made that once Sunry learned of her Sith association that he decided to kill her despite sleeping with another woman that was not his wife. Borden makes his second cross examination questions about how Sunry's Hero Cross got in the victim's room.
"I…"
"Gluupor stay silent…"
"Objection…"
"You will not lead the witness Prosecutor…"
"You may answer the question…"
"I was paid to put it there, by a Sith investigator working for the Prosecutor's office…"
"No further questions you are free to step down…"
The fourth witness, Elora, takes the stand, and takes much heat from the Prosecutor about Sunry, about the affair, before he stands off to allow a cross-examination. Borden considers the question before asking about only the affair then states no further question. The Prosecutor develops an almost devious grin as Sunry takes the stand. Borden again only asks a single question about him ending the affair, and if she had objections.
Borden follows the Prosecutor in the closing argument. He states there were no actual witnesses, Sunry went there to end the affair so the Sith killed her, and says no more. The Prosecutor looks highly confident, but Borden believes his arguments should carry some weight given the evidence of Sith's takeover plans that he sent to them earlier after being charged with multiple treaty violations. The judges resume their places and announce a unanimous vote of not guilty, of innocent.
The Prosecutor paces off in frustration while Sunry and Elora express profound thanks. Carth shakes Borden's hand firmly congratulating on a successful case yet Jolee again places his face in his hand suspecting something not quite right. Carth and Canderous take drinks in the Cantina. Jolee takes Borden aside to discuss the verdict and Borden admits, it was not justice though somehow letting the Sith have this small victory would cost the Selkath more in the future. He had to admit the practicality of the issue, perhaps even the personal consequences of allowing a slight triumph. Roland Wann also offers his thanks knowing that they probably suspect they took part in one of the biggest cover ups in Manaan's recent history.
***
"The submersible will be ready by this evening, so I would get your people together and ready at the Embassy by evening meal," continues Wann.
"We will be there," responds Borden.
Jolee excuses himself to return to the Hawk while Bastila and Juhani arrive from the shops. Mission also shows up with T3 who has gotten a fresh paint job at the droid merchant shop. Borden bends down to admire the handiwork of the merchant and T3 makes the closest thing to a pleased chirp from an astromech/utility droid. Mission smiles as if pretty happy with look herself and she also got herself a new look.
"It looks good, but can take hits too…" chuckles Mission.
"Good call, how about a dinner outside somewhere in Ahto City tonight?"
"Sounds fabulous, ladies, we are going shopping, after all we want make them look shocked tonight, don't we?"
Bastila and Juhani share a mutual blush at Mission's presumptive statements. Carth and Canderous certainly find the idea of getting off the ship for the night a good idea too. Jolee declines the invitation saying he does not feel well so is checking into the Embassy's medical wing for the night. Zaalbar reluctantly leaves HK-47 to watch the Hawk, but he reassures the Wookiee that he will not do anything ridiculous; after all he calls it the master's ship. Zaalbar reluctantly agrees to grooming after all the travel and what not that has worn down everyone.
***
"Recipient confirms denial of offer to package."
"Message acknowledged, observations continue…"
***
"You look especially lovely tonight Bastila," comments Borden.
"You and your boyish charms never fail Borden," whispers Bastila.
The pair joins Mission and Zaalbar already at the table ordering part of the meal. Canderous arrives just after Juhani comes alone like he does just now. She sits between Bastila and Mission while Zaalbar sits next to Mission. Borden is opposite Bastila, Carth is opposite Juhani, and Canderous is opposite Zaalbar. Some ask where Jolee is, but Borden reassures them that he is at the Embassy's Medical Wing because he thinks he caught something either on Kashyyyk or after arriving here. He prefers to have their doctors check him out. A few concerns, a few head shakes, and then the meal resumes without further interruption.
Afterward most of the others return to the Hawk, but Jolee is staying the night at the Embassy. Bastila heads out to the part of the city closer to the ocean and Borden follows her as the others continue their somewhat drunken walk back to the Docking Bay. Xor however chooses this moment to make his reappearance in Juhani's life. She ignites her lightsaber, but just then ACA security droids intervene causing Xor to break off his attempt to get to her. She switches off her weapon not wishing to get the crew into another situation over her.
***
Borden elects to confront Bastila over their mutual feelings for each other despite the two of them skating around it since his training began on Dantooine.
"You are so like him in many ways, but then somehow different…"
"You mean Revan; I see the way you look at me…"
"You remind me so easily, but then I still see you, this man I feel for…"
"I love you Bastila, and I know you love me…"
"You know not what you speak of…"
"The bond between us is more than we admit, not the one from the Force, but the one in us, between us…"
"Kiss me you fool!"
Borden pulls her towards him and kisses her for several minutes before she attempts to pry herself from his arms. She blushes before moving to kiss him again before the commlink chirps interrupting them. They return to the ship after hearing about Xor's brief appearance. Juhani spends the remainder of the evening meditating with Borden while Bastila tries to hide the reveling in the feeling of kissing her great love at last, but Mission admits suspecting they had kissed despite Bastila's denials. The blushing gives the older Bastila away.
***
At daybreak, Borden, Bastila, and Juhani travel to the Embassy to take the submersible down to the Rift Station. Borden pilots the craft while Bastila handles sensors and Juhani operates environmental controls to compensate for changes in pressure as they descend deeper. The native firaxan sharks become more frequent blips on the sonar sensors. The Rift Station comes into range eventually and Borden initiates the docking sequences.
The submersible enters the pressure interlock chambers before bobbing up into the docking pool inside the station. Borden emerges then crouches to pull Bastila up and out then repeats for Juhani. Bastila gasps noticing that the lighting is lower than it should be and on the verge of going offline. Juhani also notes a beam had fallen on other submersible across the way, which effectively cut off any escape route unless someone else had come down to check on the station.
"What happen here…" whispers Bastila.
"We will have to search the place, look for survivors…" replies Juhani.
"First thing we need to do is get out of this room…" continues Borden.
The Jedi trio makes their way across a gantry leading into the station's interior. A lone Republic soldier emerges covered in blood and yelling about something about the Selkath. Borden grips the man's arms and tries to shake off the shock. The man finally starts speaking clearly.
"They went into a frenzy killing everyone, I barely got away, they have gone feral, those damn Selkath, we were here to keep the Sith from finding these deposits of kolto, but they woke something up out there… whatever it was drove the Selkath mad…"
The soldier collapses; the blood as it turns out was some of his as well. Some blood stains were left on Borden's outer shirt so he tosses it off to avoid the possibility of catching whatever got the personnel killed down here. They continue onward until finding a functioning interface terminal.
"We have the option to gas all the adjoining chambers temporarily to render the Selkath unconscious, its less bloody than trying to fight our way across this place…"
"If possible then do it, I rather avoid a fight if we can…"
"Likewise…"
The gas floods the chambers knocking out the feral Selkath and after the air clears, they resume the walk towards the station's command center. The computer terminals reveal multiple breaches across the board, but most of them are in the level below this one. Borden finds a pair of sonic emitters and a single environmental suit capable of withstanding the water pressure at this depth.
"This part it appears I must do alone, only one suit…"
"Be careful out there…"
"Hey this is me we are talking about…"
Bastila gave him a look that could out last the dying of suns. He looks to her as well as if saying I will be back count on that much. She holds him to her and he does the same except this time through the Force. He unconsciously realigns to his body once he is outside the airlock heading down a darkened tunnel, which is already full of water from a nearby series of breaches. Another survivor greets him as he makes a run out to the sea floor only to be eaten up by a firaxan shark.
***
Borden gradually advances across the floor while zapping the sharks with the sonic emitter, his only defense at this depth. He eventually makes the crossing to the Kolto Control Station, which borders the actual Hrakert Rift. In the distance he sees and then senses a much larger entity. He shakes his head inside the suit before moving towards the airlock to the KCS.
"There is always a larger one…" he chuckles to himself.
Another group of feral Selkath attacks him after he emerges from the decompression chamber. He fends them off with vibroblades then hits each over the head hoping to knock them out without harming them. The air in the corridor suddenly starts to thin out and he begins to gasp knowing his air supply is running out. Somebody or something is venting the atmosphere. He runs up the corridor as quickly as he can without asphyxiating himself.
"Whoever is up there doing that, stop!"
"No we cannot risk those loopy Selkath getting in here and killing the rest of us!"
Talking this out would take too long, so Borden hacks one of the wall consoles, and reopens the air vents just in time. The decompression fields drop too and the surviving scientists remain motionless as if afraid of his reaction to their aborted venting. He staggers towards them with a slight cough before trying to speak again. The female scientist cuts off the male scientist just as Borden is about to say something.
"You will have to change counts in the system in order to overload the machinery in the kolto pumping shafts, if you want to spare that enormous firaxan out there…"
"There is also a poison that can neutralize it…"
"I rather not take your suggestion considering you were insistent on suffocating me another human, not one your loopy Selkath…"
The male scientist grabs him by the shoulder, but Borden gently Force pushes the man into the wall knocking him down.
***
He suits up again with a hope that he would make the right combination series to overload the pumping shafts. Borden reaches out with the Force considering all the combinations, but then an image of Bastila floods his mind trying to reassure him from hundreds of meters away. The sequence falls into place and a muffled explosion ripples through the water. The giant firaxan shark swims back a distance allowing him to proceed towards the probable location of the Star Map. Borden lumbers forward and notes still functioning lighting rods built into the ground around the platform. It triggers in the same fashion as the ones on Dantooine and Tatooine. He records the data using the suit's camera interface then lumbers back to an alternate access point after messaging the scientists on the status of the machinery and the shark.
Borden rejoins Bastila and Juhani then they make their way back to the diving bay where the submersible is waiting for their return trip. However, the Jedi simultaneously sense a dark presence lurking ahead blocking their path back to the surface. The trio rounds the bend near the bay. Darth Bandon and a pair of Dark Jedi ignite their lightsabers as the Jedi trio advances on them. Juhani goes after one Dark Jedi and Bastila goes after the other.
The glow of the lightsabers reflects of the darkened corridor between the station and the bay. Borden circles Bandon, the two study each other before trading a series of blocks, yet in a split moment Borden gains an opening on Bandon. The vaunted apprentice of Malak had rarely fought such unconventional swordsman, but this tactic felt odd to Bandon as if he had seen someone else use it before. The apprentice realizes his master had failed to tell him that his targets might know Jar'Kai among other saber techniques.
"You are good, but not good enough Jedi!" shouts Bandon
"You will find I am full of surprises!" retorts Borden.
The Dark Apprentice fails to understand the meaning until Borden's second blade emerges from the presumed single hilt. Borden had taken Bastila's design for his own as far as hilts went except he made use of different crystals. Bandon collapses with a final exhale realizing only one could beat him, and most thought him already dead. In a way this ghost had died, but somehow his spirit lives on in a different way.
"It is time for us to leave this place; the Selkath will no doubt want answers…"
"They shall have them, one way or another…"
The detainment happened just as Borden had been expecting it on the way back to the surface. The hearing for what happen at the station began almost immediately after.
"Jedi Borden, you have been charged before with crimes against the laws of Ahto City and the neutrality treaties, how do you plead for the damage to the stations in the Rift?"
"I plea not guilty, I will tell you why, after investigating the Station, I found most of its occupants either dead, feral, or in hiding. You will find Selkath survivors unconscious and maybe out of their previous feral states. The mining of kolto in that particular part of the Rift awakened a giant firaxan shark, which in turn drove the smaller variety into frenzy as well as the Selkath down there."
"He speaks of the Progenitor…"
"How can you be certain?"
"Footage from his environmental suit confirms this as well as evidence of the civilization that nearly dominated our species long ago."
"You have the thanks of the Selkath for saving the Progenitor, saving the kolto, perhaps this will bring new light to considerations of Republic membership, you are always welcome, but I sense you are needed elsewhere…"
"Thank you Your Honors," replies Borden.
The Jedi trio returns to the Hawk to find Jolee waiting at loading ramp for them. He looks 'recovered' and they board after him. The ramp pulls up and the freighter's engines ignite as their course is set for Korriban. After several weeks of nonstop travelling between systems, it is finally time to make best speed for the last Star Map. Bastila retreats to her cabin knowing their quest is nearing its end in some ways yet only beginning in other ways.
***
Carth and Canderous pilot the ship towards the lane then make the jump for Korriban, but then somewhere along the way in the jump; the freighter is torn out of hyperspace.
"It is the Leviathan, Saul Karath's flagship!" shouts Carth
"Go figure, everyone get ready, they have got a tractor on us!" yells Canderous
A/N 1: Bindo's suspicions even in the game have an element of foreshadowing. He is unconventional to say the least, but of course he's a good swordsman to boot plus there's the old Jedi mind trick. I never know how long to make hyperspace jumps last because in the movies they seem instanteous just as they are in most games if you ever the jumps.
A/N 2: Events happen rather quick again as I cover most of the major plot events for Manaan in a single chapter before the KOTOR's eqivalent of a 'that's no moon, it's a space station' or in this case 'that's no gravity well, it's an interdictor'.
A/N 3: Darth Bandon, mentions before his appearance in the story aside from killing Trask. I found killing him to be usually easy and of course he's got the best loot at times after Calo Nord. I mean seriously a lot of these stiffs only had random stuff and maybe some credits. It was usually the big kills that had the most money on them. Not that I'm greedy, but the speciality or high quality stuff costs mucho credits!
A/N 4: Politics on Manaan, basically don't tick off the Selkath except when its unavoidable. I usually cover Sunry simply because I prefer to have Manaan join the Republic if I'm going Jedi. Yeah I bend the rules, and stuff some times.
A/N 5: Borden and Bastila have that 'kiss me you fool' moment at last.