CHAPTER SEVEN: STASIS

Tadek Kasara ducked through empty corridors straining his ears for any sound of approaching enemies, but all he could hear was the steady patter of his own increasing heartbeat. He concentrated on muffling the heavy clank of his boots on the slick metallic floor and on remembering his training. Peering out of the bulky Sith mask, he tried his best to use his peripheral vision, staring through the small slits that served as eyeholes. Deep in concentration, he ran his tongue over his lips tasting the salty sweat that coursed down his face. As he glanced back behind him, he saw a security droid whirring in midair. If possible, his heart rate increased even more. Tensing his body he slowed his pace and took on the more traditional march of the Sith. The droid buzzed, circling him skeptically for many moments before it was summoned elsewhere.

Releasing a sigh of relief, Tadek picked up his hasty pace increasing his speed and agility. One glance at his chronometer told him he had an hour to meet at the rendezvous point, or he would have to risk another two months aboard the Interdictor, hoping his true loyalty to the Republic wouldn't be discovered. As he rounded the last corner and began an almost sprint, blaster shots were fired just narrowly passing over his right shoulder. In reflex, he brought up his own blaster rifle, firing on two retreating Sith troopers who had sent the first blast in his direction. Unaware anyone was behind them, they turned, sending more shots in his direction.

"What are you doing?" one of them yelled.

I could ask you the same question.

When Tadek didn't answer immediately the officer continued, "What's your operating number anyway? I haven't seen you around before."

Tadek scoffed as he subtly adjusted his mask. I can't see a damn thing through this helmet. How can they tell they don't know me?

"New recruit," Tadek answered lamely, instead.

"Well," one of the officers began pertly, aiming his rifle at Tadek, "What's your operating number?

"469271," he answered in feigned confidence, just as he had been taught.

The Sith officer turned his back and muttered something into his comlink. After an agonizing moment, he turned back to Tadek. "It checks out."

"Of course it does," Tadek replied.

The officer glared at him intensely before the other trooper began talking. "So lets get on with it then. We're looking for a couple of escaped prisoners. They were on the Republic ship we picked up near the Koth system."

This is what happened last time...

Tadek had no choice but to follow the two as they led him through winding passageways and corridors, wondering if Liss, Caine, and the other guys had been caught yet. The General had declared it to be a simple mission. But nothing that involves crossing enemy lines is simple, Tadek thought bitterly.

As they walked through the main corridor that led to the hangar bay, shots could be heard resonating just on the other side. Suddenly the doors retracted themselves, revealing a band of Sith surrounding three of his Republic comrades. He looked toward the Republic ship and recognized six of the undercover team slain on the docking bay floor, mere feet from escape.

Keep a clear head--one of the three commands from his drill sergeant. Struggling to remember his training through the puffs of panic that clouded his thoughts, he tried to make his way from the edges of the crowd and into the middle.

Blend. Just as he began to move through the crowd he heard the familiar voice of the Sith officer that had stopped him in the corridor now offering him a direct challenge.

"I think we should test the new recruits, boys. What do you think?" Tadek heard the voice yell as barks of agreement erupted from the mass of troopers. "Glad you agree. You," he pointed at Tadek. "Let's see just how tough you are. There's more to being a Sith than just wearing the uniform. You get to dispose of this Republic scum. No one else fire, or you'll be the next target. At Attention!"

Don't balk.

The Sith stepped back and fell into attention, as ear splitting silence fell over the room. The three Republic soldiers left standing, Caine, Liss, and Lyra, were looking at him disgustedly. They couldn't recognize him through the uniform.

"Fire at will number 469271."

He hesitated, the silence becoming overwhelming. His heart raced once again and he could hear his own raspy breaths resonating inside the uniform. His own men. His comrades. His fellow soldiers. Don't balk. He couldn't kill them, but not killing them could risk everything they had worked for over the past two years. Keep a clear head. Thinking on all the careful planning, the tweaking of those plans, infiltrating the bases, the other soldiers who had died, and the fact that now when it came down to the last few missions he could ruin it all.

He looked once more on the faces of his comrades, his friends. Caine, my brother since pre-school and Liss, my best friend since recruitment. His eyes then fell on Lyra as he felt the blaster rifle slip from his slender fingers and land with a clang.

"That's what I thought. Remove your helmet," he heard the officer's voice.

Don't balk. Tadek did as he had been instructed and cast one sorrowful glance at his fellow soldiers, locking eyes with them for a moment as he stared into their surprised faces.

"No!" Liss shouted.

Tadek saw the Sith Officer point his blaster rifle out of the corner of his eye, felt the smooth edge of cool metal pressing against his temple, but he never heard the ring of the blaster as it fired before everything faded to black.

As suddenly as the trigger was pulled, all of Tadek's surroundings disappeared, revealing instead stark metallic walls. Holographic disguises were switched off, as Destro Caine and Kesh Liss made their way toward him.

"Dammit," Tadek muttered, kicking at the ground. "I can never pass that damn simulation."

"What the hell were you thinking? You should have just shot us," Liss griped as he marched his way toward Tadek, Caine in close pursuit.

"I couldn't."

"You would have passed if you had," Liss added.

"No he wouldn't have," Caine answered. "We lost over half the team. Too many casualties. You can lose up to a fourth of your team before you fail."

"I don't understand why we can't pass. We have ran that simulation a thousand times." Liss declared as they exited the Simulation Room.

"You know damn well why. It's the top," Caine thought a moment then continued, "No team has ever passed except for the one Carth Onasi and Vren Dyok led."

"I followed protocol," Tadek went on as if he hadn't heard a word of their conversation, his face scrunching perplexedly.

"Ryth'll have our asses now," Liss declared.

"Kasara, in my office. Now," General Ryth's voice boomed over the loudspeaker and through the simulation area as if on queue.

"Might as well get this over with."

They swiftly began to make their way up to General Ryth's office, located only a floor above the Simulation Center As they jogged up the flight of stairs and down the corridor they continuously heard an announcement being made every few moments beckoning Tadek to the Communications Center for an urgent message. Tadek was rather interested to see what was so important, but he ignored his curiosity. The General's commands came first.

They entered the General's office, which was relatively bare. There wasn't much more than a desk, some chairs, a few medals, and paper work scattered throughout the room. Standing behind the desk was a slight, balding man, but who was no doubt significant in stature.

"Kasara," Ryth called as the young Twi'lek stepped into the room, his fellow soldiers at his feet. "Caine. Liss."

"Yes sir?" they saluted.

The General glared at them a long moment before sighing. "Kasara, why is it that you can never pass the Interdictor simulation?"

Tadek didn't know how to respond. As far as he knew, there were no reasons why he couldn't pass, but he also knew if that really was the truth he would have, in fact, passed. He was completely lost on the subject. He had followed protocol. The general continued before he had the chance to respond.

"You were a Jedi, or close enough to being one. I know your ability to use the Force hasn't abandoned you. I encourage you to use it. This was your third trial. In each simulation run you have lost both yourself and at least one fourth of your team. I know this sim has a bad reputation, but if anyone's going to beat it, I'd put my bet on you three." He slapped a thick file onto Tadek's chest.

Tadek looked at him bewildered, grabbing it from the General's hands.

"That file contains every move Onasi and Dyok made on their successful simulation run. I was hoping you guys would make it without it, but..." he trailed off. "I want to see a green light on all of your files next time understand?"

"Yes sir," they yelled in unison as the page for Tadek rang out again.

"Now get out of my office. And Kasara, answer that damn page!"

Tadek wound through the corridors on one of the Republic's top ships, the Relentless. It had been one of the key ships in the battle over the Rakata home world, firing the final blow to the Star Forge. Greeting the guard at the door, Tadek went inside to see what message could possibly be so important.

"Some Twi'lek girl keeps trying to establish a transmission," the Sullstan behind the controls explained. "She's says it's urgent."

"Alright," Tadek answered, a small smile playing at his lips. "I'll take it in booth one."

He entered the private message booth and saw the holographic image of a small blue Twi'lek appear in front of him. He hadn't heard from her in almost twelve months. He felt it a pleasure to hear her voice again.

"Heya Tadek," Mission greeted beaming at him. "How are ya?"

"Hey Mission," he greeted, grinning back at her. "I wasworried when I heard about Taris. I'm really glad you made it through alright."

Mission's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. "Yeah, thanks," she hesitated. "Listen Tad, I need a favor."

"Of course, Mission," he smirked. "I believe I owe you one as I recall. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I need you to pull a file for me."

"Certainly," Tadek agreed, leaning back against the chair. "Whose?"

"Some soldier named Vren Dyok. I think he was released sometime around the Mandalorian Wars," she stated nonchalantly.

Tadek's smile vanished and he bolted upright in his seat. "Released? Mission, Dyok wasn't released," he paused briefly, "Now why would you want a file on him?"

"Are you going to do this or not?" Mission replied, her lekku swinging in agitation.

He sat back against his chair once again, silently brooding over his options. After a moment, he made a decision. "Yeah. I can get you the file, but only if you tell me what you need it for." He watched her carefully as she looked somewhere off-screen briefly and then turned her attention back to him.

She smiled coyly, "Let's just say I have some questions that need some answers."

A very large lump formed in Tadek's throat, and his stomach sank to his knees. The statement alarmed him profoundly. He knew what company the young Twi'lek had been in for the past several months, that of Commander Onasi and the Jedi Revan. Tadek had heard of the history between Onasi and Dyok. Dyok had vowed his revenge on Carth long ago and over time such things either strengthen or are forgotten. Tadek knew Dyok would never forgive Carth for the outcome of their last assignment together.

"Listen, Mission, I know you have the best intentions here, but Dyok has already proven himself a traitor to the Republic and a cold blooded killer. Most people believe he was lost during the Mandalorian Wars, but no one really knows for sure. Be careful. There's people that would think nothing of offing a young..." he started to say girl, but he'd already made that mistake too many times before. "Woman."

Mission's mouth drew into a thin tight line, "Yeah well, you don't have to worry about me. Big Z is still around," she glanced off-screen again. Before he could add anything else, she continued. "So just upload the file into your datapad and we'll drop in for a visit."

Tadek smiled once again, the beginnings of an idea manifesting itself in his brain," Oh don't worry about it, Little Blue, I think it's time I got off this ship for a while. See you on Alderaan."

The transmission was terminated, and Zaalbar looked over at Mission in question.

"Little Blue?" Zaalbar asked in the odd intonations of his native language.

Mission peered back at him innocently, "What?"

"Last time someone called you that, Mission, they lost a thumb and one expensive Pazaak deck."

Mission shrugged, "I would never think of arguing with a Jedi."

Remembering all too many arguments Bastila and Mission had held on the Hawk, Jolee chuckled at the white lie.

"So what do we do now?" Bastila asked. "We don't even know if Dyok is still alive."

"For Revan's sake, we must assume he is," Juhani answered.

"Did you get a message through to the Hawk?" Jolee questioned Bastila.

"Yes I did but there was no immediate reply. I'm not sure there was a good connection. Telos is parsecs from here."

Jolee began pacing circles around the room. "Well, when you think about it logically, there's about a one in million chance that Revan was followed, and-"

"Correction: The chances that Master Revan was followed are very probable."

Everyone turned to stare at the droid incredulously except for Jolee, who gazed at him pensively.

"Why so high?" he asked.

"Explanation: You have to calculate the prospect that her whereabouts are widely known, because of the Galactic Tour. She also left Alderaan in the famed ship, The Ebon Hawk."

"Yes, that might not have been so wise, but I'm sure she wouldn't suspect anyone of following her," his voice dropped, "Well except for the Council, but anyhow, the damnable droid is right. Everyone knows where we all are because of the tour."

"But why would she be followed if they were after Carth?" Juhani asked.

"Revan is bait," Bastila answered.

"Bait?" Jolee asked incredulously. "Who would be stupid enough to use Revan as bait? A month ago she single-handedly took down the Dark Lord of the Sith. They would have to be harboring a certain deathwish."

"Well," Bastila began slowly. "Maybe not so much bait, but if Revan is distracted with an imminent threat, no matter how minuscule it may seem, she's not there to save Carth should anything happen to him."

"But with the loss of Carth…" Mission began again.

"Well Bastila, I must admit," Jolee said grinning at the young Jedi, "You took me by surprise there. Glad to see you are capable of your own thought instead of always spitting Council rubbish at us all the time."

Bastila thought about the statement for a moment. It was true. Ever since her fall to the darkside, she had clung to the Council's teachings and advisements even more so than before.

Mission looked anxiously at them. "So we just have to wait for Tadek then, right? I mean, there's nothing else we can do, right?"

"Yes, that's all we can do, Mission," Bastila said, her usual haughty tone absent.

Jolee sighed, "I'll be glad when this is over."

Carth opened his eyes slightly, blinking against the bright light filtering in from the hallway. So caught up in the emotions from the night before, they hadn't even shut the door into the cabin. He smiled to himself at the memory of last night and for a moment time was still.

Carth lay there in complete contentment. There were no inane plans to work the kinks out of, no star maps to chase, and not a single old Jedi Master breathing down his neck.

He focused his attention on the peaceful mass in his arms and laughed softly. She had stolen most of the bedding during the night, save a small section of the sheet, with her feet hanging out at the end. Her expression was completely serene, and he could only hope it was the thought of their future together that brought that tranquility to her sleep.

She stirred then, her eyes too blinking against the harsh rays of light from the hallway. She shivered, even under the majority of the covers, and he watched amused as she stretched each of her toes, curling them under, then back out, and under again. She then pulled her feet back under the covers and turned so that she was facing him, noticing the small piece of bedding she had left him.

She bit her lip, suppressing a smile, "Sorry. Guess I got cold."

Untangling herself from the blankets, she spread them back over Carth, who was still grinning at her. She snuggled into his warmness, sighing contentedly as he wrapped his arms around her. Just above her brow he kissed her lightly, then slowly made his way to her lips, sending tingles down her spine.

"Morning, Beautiful."

Revan kissed him back between words, "Better than waking up next to a cup of Jolee's Cafa."

Carth smiled again. It seemed to be all he could do around her, grin like an idiot. Though he did have to admit, Jolee's cafa was damn good. Looking back at Revan, she too held that goofy grin of love. But there was something else lying in that smile, something she didn't want him to see.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied burying her face in his chest to avoid his accusing gaze.

Carth pushed her slightly away from him, just enough so he could see her face. "I'm not buying it. What's wrong?"

"It was just another dream," she stated idly, staring at the ceiling.

Carth recalled the abridged tales of her dreams. He knew she seldom remembered anything from them because in saving her life, the Jedi reprogrammed her mind and erased all of her memories. For that Carth was appreciative of the Jedi. She didn't need to remember the horrible things she did as the Dark Lord.

"Did you…" he trailed off when she shook her head.

"No. Nothing new anyway," she thought for a moment, as if deciding whether to add what she was thinking or not. "Well, yesterday I did."

"Oh, you did? What was it?" He looked at her astounded, feeling a knot settle into his stomach.

"Dyok," she replied simply. "I'm not really sure what it means. I was planning to look it up in the Jedi Archives when we left Telos," she finished.

Carth's demeanor immediately changed. Dyok was a name he hadn't heard in a very long time and one he didn't know Revan was familiar with. "Dyok? Vren Dyok? I didn't know you knew him."

She looked at him puzzled, "I don't."

"Then why would you say that?"

"Say what?

"Say what?" Carth repeated in agitation, "Say his name."

"I had a dream, night before last. The only thing I could remember was that word. It's a person? "

"Yeah he's a person," Carth's brow furrowed. "I doubt you'll find anything on him in the Jedi Archives."

"So he's not a Jedi then. You know him?" Revan asked, closely watching Carth's reaction.

"Do I know him?" he echoed bitterly. "I know him, or knew him. All too well. He was my comrade and one of my closest friends until…" he grew quite for a moment. "No one knows if he even survived the Mandalorian War." he shook his head fiercely. "I'd forgotten about him. I forgot all about him in my vengeance for Saul."

"What happened between you two?" she questioned tentatively, using her Force abilities to sense what was underlying beneath his anger. He was full of hatred for the man, but she also sensed a hint of guilt.

"Yavin IV happened," he mumbled. Shaking his head,Carth tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, not wanting to let a rival from his past ruin the moment, " And that's another story for another time."

Revan decided this wasn't the time to prod. He'd tell her in time.

A long silence passed between them, each focused on their own thoughts. Laying contentedly in the other's embrace, they each regained their composure. This had been all they were asking for months now. Time alone to simply listen to the steady thump of their hearts, beating in satisfied unison. It was Carth who broke the silence nearly half an hour later.

"I meant what I said about Dustil. I don't condone it, but if you feel you must then I will allow you to train him."

At that Revan laughed. "Allow it?" she asked in amusement. "There would have been no allowing to it," she explained craning her head to look at him. "I would have done it anyways."

Carth chuckled softly, knowing full well she was speaking the truth. That's what he loved about her, she was so stubborn.

She laid her head back on his chest, listening to the slow pall of air rolling deep into his lungs and the soft tickle as he exhaled, sending its wispy fingers grazing across her face. She smiled to herself, thinking on everything that landed her here. She didn't deserve this and she knew she sure as hell didn't deserve him, but yet here they were.

"So what do we do now?" he questioned.

She took hold of his left hand, running her fingers over the purple scar where a shot from a blaster had grazed across the back of his hand. A trophy from the battle on the Star Forge.

"What do you mean?"

"Now that the war is over. What do we do now?" he asked again, pausing to look at her briefly. When she didn't give a reply he continued, "The Sith have been dismantled. The little resistance there is left surely isn't anything the fleet can't handle, much less worth us getting entangled in. The galaxy doesn't need saving from intergalactic turmoil anymore."

He watched as that why-now look flashed across her face and she sighed heavily. This wasn't something she wanted to discuss he knew, but it was past time.

"Carth, I see where you're going with this," she looked at him coolly. "I don't want to go there." You have the worst timing in the galaxy.

"Well, Revan, I want to know what you want. The tour is over in a week. What then?" Carth was bursting with anxiousness.

"Dustil, Carth. Dustil is after that."

It was Carth's turn to sigh. So maybe it wasn't the best time for this conversation.

"I thought you were going to allow me train him," she continued as she sat up, wrapping part of the heavy blanket around her. "Change your mind again already?

"No but...I...," he stammered trying to think of a better way to put it, "I was just hoping we could have some time."

Revan didn't say anything, but instead glared at him with an icy glower that at one time would have washed the spines of thousands in prickly fear.

Carth was no exception. He attempted to atone for it, "You know what I mean, Revan. An extended period of time. No other obligations..."

Revan's expression softened slightly. "I can't, Carth. I have to serve the Jedi. Training Dustil is something I have to do." Her tone took on a bitter edge, "You can't romance me out of it if that's what you're thinking."

He looked at her, wordless. "No, Revan, I wouldn't...that's not..." he stammered, becoming agitated. For her to even consider that perturbed him. What he really wanted to tell her was that he wanted a family. After over twenty years in the military, Carth was ready to walk. He was tired of the attention, the constant action; he just wanted to rebuild his life on Telos. But he could see in Revan's eyes that she still craved the adventure the life of a Jedi offered.

"I do want you train him." It was a lie and they both knew it, but it would keep the peace. Hoping to change the key of the conversation to a much more melodious tone, Carth continued on. "So what are we going to do without all that adventuring and action to keep us busy?"

She eyed him coyly, crawling the length of the bed back to him, not stopping until her lips were barely touching his, "Oh, there'll be plenty of action."

Striding through the door from the all-night Cantina and into the musky Telosian back streets, Canderous stepped out into a world all too familiar. There wasn't much left erect on Telos, but what was left of the once bustling city now proved well for harboring smugglers and illegal spice traders. A lack of law enforcement and local government left everyone to more or less police themselves.

He meandered on through the streets, slowly making his way back toward the Ebon Hawk. The night was now fading to a dusky dark as dawn approached, painting the horizon a vibrant array of gold, which then faded from fuchsia to a deep indigo the farther from the horizon he looked. Late last night he had returned to the Hawk but he saw that the loading ramp was up. He could have got in if he wanted, but he knew that Carth and Revan were finally getting the peace they deserved, and he didn't want to walk in on that.

He wound up on the main street of town, right in front of the ruins of the Military base. As he was staring out upon the razed base, a cold chill slithered up his spine and he found himself unable to move. He had never seen the silhouette slinking in his shadow, nor had he heard the quiet mumble as the Jedi froze him in his place, enveloping him in a stasis field.

"The Mandalorian. I was wondering which of you I would encounter alone first."

Canderous tried to respond but found he was completely paralyzed, able to do nothing but listen to this little punk's taunts.

"No matter, though. It's that Republic soldier everyone is after. He now has a bounty on his head, larger than any smuggling run I could ever hope to make through Nar Shaddaa"

If only I could reach my blaster this kid would be a smoking corpse, Canderous thought angrily.

"Since I've already enwrapped you in a stasis field this won't be much fun."

Canderous was suddenly shrouded in lightning as volt after volt electrified his flesh. After mere moments of this torture his world swiftly faded to black.