Author's notes: (waves hand at readers) Hello? Anyone there? Oh, well. Kashyyyk continues… the Mandalorian wars are in the works… and several character dialogues are on the way before we leave Wookiee world. And to the US Xboxers – you have no idea how lucky you are. Just one week left.

X X X

Chapter 22 – Honor

X X X X

"There, you see? Beautifully subtle, isn't it?" Jolee said brightly when they approached the Czerka field, not too far away from his hut. "At least, compared to other Czerka equipment dumped down here. It's only been here a short while, or the Wookiees would have disabled it. They wouldn't have had an easy time of it, though."

Revan gazed at it with disgust. The violet energy field looked really bizarre in the green and brown surroundings. "Just shut it down."

"You aren't going to ask about it? A repulsor field in the woods and you have no interest?" Jolee prodded, with a pointed but innocent look.

She had had enough fighting for one day. "Fine, whatever. Explain, then."

"There are others, each blocking similar points on certain paths." Jolee explained, "It is all very calculated. Very precise. It would have been effective if it hadn't relied on the creatures to be walking. Climbers don't have much trouble getting around it. I think it was an attempt to block the more dangerous carnivores from wandering freely, but it's not very effective. It limits us non-climbers, but the creatures of Kashyyyk are very adaptable."

"Now deactivate it."

"I can manipulate it for a moment. Let me see... how did the Czerka engineers do it..." Jolee opened one panel or another, carefully hidden in the archway and fiddled with the contents. Surprisingly, after a few seconds, the field disappeared, "Ahh, there we go. Now keep moving. These are the most dangerous depths of Kashyyyk. A few surprises wait for us, I'll wager." he warned, before leading the way through the barrier. A few seconds later, a bright purple light and a faint buzzing sound told them the shield activated itself right behind them.

The landscape beyond the repulsor field looked pretty much the same as the Lower Shadowlands – it perfectly lived up to description. Kinrath webs were visible on a few trees and the occasional tach was nothing unusual. Revan let Jolee lead them, despite her own knowledge of 'the old paths', as the old man called them, giving him the illusion of importance and respect. She was walking slightly to the right, away from the others, as if they weren't worthy of her presence. Mission was in the center, protected by Juhani from the left. It proved fortunate when they encountered a most unusual fight, even for the strange environment of the Shadowlands.

A Wookiee, surrounded by three fully armed Mandalorians. Two of them were standing aback, watching the third one dueling the Wookiee. Although badly injured, the Wookiee was holding his ground well. Their vibroswords clashed several times. The Wookiee spun to kick the Mandalorian, who ducked. But that gave the Wookiee time to raise his blade one more time. And with a well-aimed blow, the Mandalorians severed head rolled away. Juhani immediately charged at the Mandalorians, Mission close on her tail. Rage was emerging from the Cathar – Revan knew well what the Mandalorians did to her homeworld.

She melted into the background and her aura sped up through the Force, appearing before the other Mandalorian, slitting his throat effectively. The other panicked, but attacked Mission, who was closest to him. He didn't see the green lightsaber flying at him from the other direction. A pained scream and Jolee caught his weapon. Mission was already kneeling next to the injured Wookiee, injecting him with a kolto shot.

How is he worthy of help? Revan thought to herself.

That's just delightful. Why don't you go find some insects to rip their legs off while you're at it, kid. Jolee's voice said, though the old man hadn't moved a muscle.

Don't argue with me, old man.

Yadda, yadda, yadda. I have no idea what you're talking about, Revan.

The woman gritted her teeth and forced herself to watch Juhani heal the ambushed Wookiee. Jolee was skilled in his little game. Right now, the ominous calmness she was famous for proved most useful.

The injured Wookiee slowly sat up, aided by Juhani. Force Heal worked fine.

"I... I thank you. I would not have expected an outsider to aid me. Perhaps... perhaps you will help again?" He hopefully asked, "My hunting party, all of them, killed without honor. I barely survived. I want the murderers to suffer the same."

"Mandalorians? These armed outsiders?" Revan asked, like an aristocrat speaking with a mere peasant.

The Wookiee nodded, "They followed us for a long while. We found bodies to the southwest, and then again further south after the west branch of the path. Their speed was amazing. They became camouflaged as I watched. What kind of creature can blend so naturally with the background? They were like ghosts."

Juhani gritted her teeth, "They will not attack until we will be unarmed. Just like… just like with my homeworld…" she added in a whisper.

"They fought like outsiders, waiting until we were unarmed." the Wookiee said, nodding, "They would not attack until we had put our weapons away! They strike like cowards!"

"There is no honor in such a fight. When I return, the cowards shall be dead." Revan vowed.

"I thank you." the Wookiee said gratefully, "I will wait here. I am too weak to fight them again, but I refuse to leave the Shadowlands unless vengeance is sated."

"Juhani, Mission – go greet our Mandalorian friends. Stick together. Kid, don't turn your stealth field off under any circumstances. I suggest you do the same, Juhani." Revan ordered.

Juhani nodded. "Very well. I shall not be seen." Both of them melted into the background, their auras moving away, though they remained close together. Revan left the Wookiee with the Mandalorian weapons they found on the corpses. Distant explosions and the sound of a lightsaber igniting here heard.

"You're sure they can handle a horde of Mandalorians?" Jolee asked after they set out in the direction of the computer.

"The kid's got dozens of grenades with her and Juhani loathes Mandalorians. What do you think? Besides, I needed to get rid of them, somehow. I installed a recognition protocol into the machine." Revan explained.

The Rakatan holointerferance she programmed into the defense installation was ordered to let only her access the Map and ensure that her state of mind remained unaltered. There were reasons for such measures… even a sentient mind could be grievously affected by the Force. Ancient Sith techniques of erasing one's mind completely were known to her. A Sith Lord couldn't be taking any chances. Or grow complacent.

Waves of fear directed at the wild kinrath vipers scared the pesky little beasts away. And soon, they reached the ancient but intact machine… and the sealed Star Map positioned nearby. Thanks to the sensors she had equipped, she was able to locate the hidden mines she installed several years ago and disable them. Then, she took off the demolitions sensor.

The Rakatan hologram flashed to life as soon as she stopped in front of it. Surprisingly, it spoke Basic.

"Life forms detected. Initiating neural scanning process. Determining parameters." It calmly said, focusing entirely on Revan.

Jolee snorted, "Yes, there's the thing. Obstinate machine. I've no doubt it holds what you seek, but good luck getting it operational."

"Primary neural scanning complete. Preliminary match found."

Jolee's eyes widened, "What the –? Match found? It always muttered something about rejected patterns for me!" he sulkily informed her, obviously infuriated by the fact. She smirked at his outrage – it seemed that she bested the master of this little game, no matter how accidentally.

A dim light surrounded Revan for a moment, scanning her neurological patterns and her state of mind. All results matched the parameters set by the one that installed the holo-interface. That could only mean that the Dark Lord has returned.

"Neural scans verify positive identification of subject 'Revan'. No further testing of the subject is required. I will brief you as programmed. You are Lord Revan." The holographic Rakatan bowed. "I am waiting your request to begin transfer of the Star Map."

"Has anyone else succeeded in accessing?" Revan asked, out of pure curiosity how many times Jolee tried to get past the initial defense system, hoping to receive a different answer than "Match not found. Patterns rejected. Please leave at once."

"None since you put the restrictions in place, Lord Revan." the Rakatan recited, "Searching list of attempts: 3 attempts by Wookiee Freyyr. All rejected. 142 attempts by human Jolee Bindo. All rejected."

"Heh. Call me stubborn, I guess. There was not much else to do around here." Jolee chuckled, shrugging just as innocently.

"List of all prior attempts were deleted as per your instructions five years ago, Lord Revan."

"Other than spying on two ex-Jedi who came here a few years ago?" Revan asked, eyebrows raised.

"And here I thought you didn't see me." Jolee muttered sulkily.

"Stealth and camouflage I know all too well, old man. Just because I didn't see you doesn't mean I didn't know you were there."

"I kept out of your path, though." he noted.

"Good for you." she returned her attention to the computer. "Give me the Star Map now."

"This unit has now completed its primary duty and has finished with the subject. All systems reset. Stasis engaged. Activation of Star Map initiated. End communication." The hologram recited and disappeared. The Star Map unfolded itself, revealing yet another perfect image of the galaxy.

"Well, well. A Star Map." Jolee noted, tilting his head to the right as he studied the map from different angles. "An ancient artifact of Dark Side power. Can't say I'm surprised. I always knew there was something funny down here. I wonder if the Star Map has had an effect on the evolution of the creatures here in the Shadowlands. Might explain why it's so dangerous down here. An interesting theory, but I suppose we don't have time to test it now, do we? Now that we've got what you came for, we should be heading back up to the treetops."

"For once, you're actually making sense, old man." Revan's datapad received familiar coordinates and the pair set out to find the two stealthy adventurers.

X X X

Wookiee corpses they passed were now accompanied by Mandalorian corpses. And the humming of swoop bikes was too much of a coincidence. As soon as Jolee and Revan approached the bikes, Mission and Juhani bolted from around the corner, their stealth fields deactivated when they saw the pair.

"Did ya see the corpses? Did ya?" Mission chirped, "They never saw it coming!"

"Yes, we saw it. Not bad, kid." Revan noted. The Twi'lek's lip twitched at the last word, but she knew better than correct her. "Any problems?" Revan asked Juhani.

The Cathar handed her a signal device to the Mandalorian swoop. "We found this among their weaponry. I am quite certain this will summon their leader here."

Revan nodded and returned it to the bike. Soon, three Mandalorians appeared out of thin air, "You have interrupted our hunt, interloper." Their leader, judging by the blood red armor, said, "The inhabitants of this world could do little against us, but you appear to be a threat."

"Indeed. I am your worst nightmare embodied." Revan hissed, her lightsaber flying into her hand faster than the eye could see, piercing the Mandalorian leader's torso. He apparently recognized the phrase. It was the phrase she introduced herself to Mandalore with.

"Re…van?" he choked, terrified, fortunately switching back to his own language rather than speaking the name in Basic. It was a common reflex among the dying – their last words were often uttered in their native language.

"In the flesh." Revan hissed, kicking his corpse away, his flesh once again burning in pain from her blade. The other Mandalorians' minds flashed with horror, as they both attacked Revan. They failed miserably, since they ended with their limbs flying in random directions.

Then, Revan raised her blade once more and beheaded the leader's corpse, picked up the head and stalked back to the injured Wookiee, the others following her closely. And fortunately, only Jolee understood why the Mandalorians fought so desperately.

A surprise awaited them near the injured Wookiee – another Wookiee, who seemed to be hunting for some food. He seemed almost gray, but noticed the outsiders quickly.

"More of you Czerka core-rats? Is the heart of Kashyyyk never free of your kind?" He snarled.

Jolee sighed in frustration, "He's almost feral after all this time." He muttered, "Calm down, Freyyr. We are friends. Don't you remember me?"

"After years in the Shadowlands, I remember only that outsiders are not to be trusted. I'll see you dead!" The Wookiee snapped, and with a final snarl, he lunged at Juhani with a Wookiee warblade.

"Well, this may prove difficult." Jolee muttered, igniting his lightsaber and holding a defensive stance. Juhani spun around to add strength to her blow. Revan didn't even bother igniting her weapon. She pointed her hand at the elderly Wookiee, who was immediately lifted from the ground and began spinning on the spot. Mission stared at that, as if she was about to squeal "That's soooo cool!"

After a minute, Revan let the Wookiee drop to the ground and held his own blade to his throat.

"I... I am beaten." he said sadly, after recovering from the impact, "Take my head, Czerka filth. You won't get another chance. So swears Freyyr of Kashyyyk."

"Call me a Czerka again and I will reconsider my plan not to help Chuundar kill you." Revan noted coldly.

"Wait. This Wookiee knows Czerka. Maybe he knows Zaalbar and Chuundar, too." Mission suggested.

"What? Those are my sons. Why do you speak their names? Tell me!" Freyyr demanded.

"I came here with Zaalbar." Revan said, still not raising her blade.

"To my shame, Zaalbar was exiled and enslaved. Do you dare claim to be my son's owner, outsider?" Freyyr asked coldly.

"Exiled? Big Z never told me that. Of course, he never said he was royalty, either.

Wait a sec. Zaalbar and Chuundar are brothers? Does that mean Big Z´s some prince or something?" Mission asked, completely puzzled. Her questions were answered, though not directly to her.

"I am Alexa Denali. Zaalbar follows me because of a life-debt. He despises all slavers. Do you really think he would follow one?" Revan asked, just as coldly.


"True, I suppose. A life-debt, is it?" Freyyr gazed at Revan, eying her cautiously. The human removed the blade from his throat. Freyyr seemed surprised, but regained his posture. "Then he sees something of worth in you. I will listen... cautiously. Gullibility has harmed me in the past. If I had seen the lies of Chuundar, he would have been exposed as a slaver. Zaalbar would not have been exiled... I did not believe Zaalbar's claims; I believed the elder boy, as tradition dictated. The shame of Zaalbar's attack blinded me."

"Tell me the story of Zaalbar's exile then."

"Zaalbar saw it first." Freyyr said sadly, "He learned that Chuundar was dealing with the Czerka, leading them to our hunting parties. Chuundar would blame disappearances on the dangers of the Shadowlands. Zaalbar was crazed when he found out." Grief and sadness were emerging from him in waves. "He attacked Chuundar with his claws. I thought he had gone mad... shed his honor. I was bound by the old ways."

"But… the dishonor of serving an outsider willingly is greater than a justified attack."

Freyyr stared at Revan for a moment, "That is correct. Never have I met an outsider who would know our ways. It seems impossible."

"Honor is what makes a warrior what they are." Freyyr gave her a suspicious but respectful glance. "Chuundar has Zaalbar captive. What happens now?"

"That is for you to decide, Alexa Denali. You will either kill me or decide that I may yet benefit my people." Freyyr said, "I have been here for many years, after Chuundar and his Czerka allies chased me out of the village, after I found out the truth…"

"That's when I first saw him." Jolee noted, "I helped his pursuers lose him for a moment. Do you remember me now, Freyyr?"

"Yes, I think so." Freyyr said, nodding, "I am sorry for attacking. It's been so long since I offered trust, or accepted that of someone else. There is a way I might challenge Chuundar, but it would take a lot to convince people they have been lied to. He has a strong web of lies, but if I appeal to the traditions of my people, I might be able to gather support."


"How?" Revan asked.

Freyyr gave her a calculating look, then said simply, "Bacca's blade."

Revan frowned, "The beast comes when summoned, if you are generous. It comes to battle, if you are worthy and wise. It grants you glory, if you are fearsome and brave." She quoted.

The elderly Wookiee smiled at her. "The blade is in the hide of the Great Beast. Our tales say it was taken because we had become undeserving. The hilt is still in the court of our chieftain... with Chuundar. If the blade could be found, tradition could cast doubt on his rule."


"Very well, then. Killing the Great Beast it is." Revan rather didn't mention that the Great Beast just happens to be a full-grown terentatek.

X X X

The group made its way to the ceremonial site. The area seemed to be circular, like some sort of arena. Mission noticed a ritual marker on the ground.

"It's some sort of ritual marker. What does it say?" Mission asked.

"These are ancient markings, but quite similar to today's fonts. It reads:

The beast comes when summoned, if you are generous. It comes to battle, if you are worthy and wise. It grants you glory, if you are fearsome and brave. Feed the beast and it will heed your call. Take the vipers from their lair and hang them from above. Let blood scent the ground of our ancestors." Revan commented.

"Well then, why don't you do that? After all, Freyyyr said you should."

Revan noticed a dangling vine nearby. Although she was a bit disgusted by the corpse she told Juhani to take with them as a bait, she held out the viper kinrath and tied it to the vine. It was easily tied to the plant. Everyone awaited something…anything. The silence of the Shadowlands was interrupted only by the rumbling of hard footsteps. Jolee recognized them immediately and looked at Revan for a moment. But she was too focused on finding out what direction the noises were coming from. Then, it was unnecessary.

The group turned around, just in time to see an enormous beast make its way out of the bushes. It was taller than any of them and certainly seemed terrifying. Brown and greasy, it had spikes growing out of its backbone and a strange set of teeth coming out of the corners of its mouth. Large limbs were ended with sharp claws that may have poison in them. A few seconds later, the creature stopped, since it saw the intruders while following the smell of the kinrath flesh. It let out a devastating roar.

Revan gritted her teeth. Her theory from a few years ago was still correct. She finally returned Jolee´s glance.

I hope you know what you're doing, kid. She heard in her head.

I hope so too.

"By the Force…!" Juhani exclaimed.

"By Bacca…" Mission managed to say.

Revan ignited her lightsaber, holding the blade in an offensive stance. The Jedi immediately struck defensive positions while Mission backed away to have a clear shot. They didn't have much time to get ready before the beast reached them. Revan was the first to attack, but this time, the beast was quicker. It saw her coming and smacked her out of the way. She flied several feet through the air, landing in the nearby bushes.

Juhani and Jolee decided to attack the beast from both sides at once. Avoiding the other claw, Juhani managed to slice it with her saber. The creature roared in pain, then knocked the Jedi off her feet. Before it had a chance to slam her with its other fist, she rolled back, making room for Jolee, who cut the paw as it hit the ground with a thud. Mission stood helplessly in the background – that thing was practically beating up three Jedi at the same time. But then she noticed something. While the monster seemed to care very much about the Jedi, it completely ignored her. And she was supposed to be the easy target.

Okay, Mission, think. Shooting would just provoke it, you're not good enough to slice it with a melee weapon. Then…that's it!

Jolee threw his lightsaber at the beast, distracting it. Mission took out a plasma grenade that Zaalbar gave her before they left the village. She knew it would take a lot of talent to achieve what she wanted to do, but she had to try nonetheless. Putting away one of the blasters she had, she threw the grenade hard at the monster when Jolee and Juhani were out of harms way. As quickly as she could, she grasped the remaining pistol with both of her hands, targeting the grenade as it fell towards the monster.

Revan, who had just recovered from the blow, saw what was going on. Calling upon the power of the Dark Side, she raised an arm and began closing her fist. The beast, otherwise resistant to most Force powers, was caught unprepared for an attack from behind, and instantly began choking. This time, the power was aimed to kill. In an attempt to catch its breath, the monster opened its mouth. And the well-aimed grenade (with the aid of certain Force powers on Revan's part) landed directly where it should have. Before it did, Mission fired a single sniper shot that hit the grenade and sent it exploding in the creature's mouth. Effectively stunned, the terentatek never saw the two Jedi charging in, lightsabers raised. The beast roared its last and dropped dead to the ground, a poisonous fume rising from the corpse, but disappearing after a moment. While Mission simply stared at what just happened, the Jedi attempted to get to their feet. Jolee then helped Revan stand up. She seemed to be all right, but a closer look revealed blood on her right arm.

"You're bleeding!" Mission shrieked as she noticed the wound. Jolee took Revan´s arm and concentrated for a moment. A swirl of white light appeared around the wound and the bleeding stopped. There was, however, the question of how deep the wound was.

"Thanks, Jolee. It's better now."

"Do you have medical supplies back at the ship?" He ignored her, turning to Juhani.

"Of course. We have a medical room, too."

"Good." He turned to Revan. "I'll have a look at that once we get to the treetops. No objections." He warned her, since she was about to open her mouth to assure him that she's fine.

Revan frowned, but then turned to the dead corpse. There was a strange spot underneath the creature's skin. Drawing her lightsaber, she pierced the skin, only to find a blade underneath it. How long it had been there, none of them knew. It must have been certainly painful for the terentatek, not least of all because the hilt was missing and the vibroblade was still sharp. Not that Revan pitied the beast.

"Is that the one we're looking for? And what was that thing?" Mission asked after Revan removed the blade from the corpse.

"Well, there's no other blade here." Revan noted bluntly, "We should take it to Freyyr – he can tell whether it's the right one. And the thing is called a terentatek – highly dangerous beasts that feast on the flesh of Force users. That's why it didn't attack you, kid." Revan noted. She crouched and found a datapad along with a strange headband.

"This looks like a personal journal. From the Great Hunt." She handed it to Juhani, who read it and pocketed it, vowing to give it to the Jedi Council once they would return from their task.

X X X

They returned to Freyyr, who was waiting just where they left him. "I greet you again. I am humble, hoping you have found the blade of Bacca's sword. Imagine... Chieftain Freyyr... humble."

"I have the blade." Revan said tonelessly. She sensed idle curiosity from Jolee.

"You have? Please let me see it. I must be sure!" she handed him the blade, "It... it is! It may not look like much... but it is a very important relic of my people. Tradition dictates that it be respected. I didn't think I was worthy to search for it, but I realize that was selfish despair. I should have challenged Chuundar long ago. I will make amends now. I have new hope. You have led me to this. Perhaps that is what the Great Beast wanted. I will climb to the surface as quickly as possible and try to gather support. You will have to follow on the paths as soon as you can." Freyyr said, the hope clear in his voice and aura. Revan fought the urge to vomit.
Instead, she nodded simply, and Freyyr immediately began climbing the nearest tree. She had to get away from the hope that remained in the environment. This part of the Shadowlands suddenly held no more appeal to her.

The group returned to the injured Wookiee, who seemed to be recovering strength well.

"You return... have you found them?" the Wookiee asked, raising his head hopefully, "Did you kill them all? They were animals in armor, with no honor among them."

"The Mandalorian hunters are dead. I killed them all." Revan said, dropping the severed head in to the Wookie's feet.

"Yes... yes I see the trophy helmet from the one that gave orders. Their bodies will not last long in the Shadowlands. I am glad. The taint of them, their cowardice... the forest will consume it all. I hope this gives my hunting brethren peace." He said with obvious gratitude.

"I hope it does. Goodbye." Revan said flatly. She had to get away from all the sudden hope around her. It was a hope that good would prevail, not a hope to accomplish personal goals. The Light Side.

"Wait… I must see to your reward," the Wookiee said, "Even though you are an outsider and therefore not to be trusted. I never thought I would be on the same side as an outsider. It is a strange feeling. You have acted as a fellow Wookiee would have. Here, take this. It is the symbol of my hunting clan. You served them, so you deserve it," he gave her a Wookiee blade, with several runes on it. It seemed to be quite old, but functional and well crafted. This weapon wouldn't be thrown away anytime soon.

"Thank you." Revan said in Shyriiwook. The Wookiee gave her one more surprised glance, but smiled and departed.

X X X

The return journey was rather uneventful. Jolee only stopped in his hut to gather a few things that could be missed and they immediately set out to find the Wookiee that should raise the basket elevator out of the Shadowlands.

"You! Alexa Denali!" The aforementioned Wookiee snarled when they approached the elevator. Anger was spreading from him and two other Wookiees appeared behind him. Apparently, news traveled quickly around Kashyyyk. "Our spies say the mad-claw you were sent to kill is on his way to Rwookrrorro right now! You should have followed the will of Chuundar! Now you will face his wrath!"

Poison grenades flied from three directions. Jolee caught them in mid air and sent them flying back at the Wookiees. Revan threw a Force Wave at them, sending them off-balance. And Juhani effectively finished them off manually.

Seeing the Wookiees operate the basket, it wasn't much of a problem raising it by themselves. Another Wookiee – one who they had met previously – greeted them far better.

"Well, it seems you are more than I thought." He was referring to the rude greeting they received when the three women were heading to the basket. He seemed quite resentful towards Chuundar. "Freyyr has come back, and told me of what you did for him. My fellow hunters split on what should be done. Some were loyal to Chuundar alone… we had to fight. Freyyr went to the throne room to challenge Chuundar. I will take you to him now."

"Lead on. We should hurry." Revan urged. The Wookiee nodded.

"Yes, there is much about to be decided. Only one can lead us. Must lead us. Come."

X X X

"Oh, that's just great! Everyone is here now! It's a reunion!" Chuundar growled when Revan made her trademark dramatic entrance into the Chieftain's hall. The others scurried in behind her. The sight there was similar to the last time they visited the village – several Wookiees and Chuundar, now plus Zaalbar and Freyyr, in the wooden hall.

"Yes, son. By the blade of Bacca's sword, I've come to end your treachery! No more will you sell your own people!" Freyyr replied, perfectly calm, holding the blade for Chuundar to see. Like a Jedi… almost. He really was a leader, and Revan was beginning to respect him. As a chieftain of the Wookiees, of course. Nothing less… but under no circumstances anything more.

Chuundar stared at the blade for a moment, but regained his posture. "You have Bacca's blade? So what!" he demanded, "I have the hilt, held by each true Chieftain in recent memory! Even you claimed it was all-important! We both have our ancient trinkets, so who will the people follow now? You? You are old and weak!"


"Shut up! Both of you! This ends today! I... I will not see Rwookrrorro suffer any more!" Zaalbar roared.

"All right! Way to go Big Z!!" Mission cheered, but hid behind Juhani when Chuundar silenced her with a venomous glare.

Zaalbar looked at Revan, "I... I don't know what to do, Alexa. Chuundar has been telling me things... he makes sense... I think. I don't know."

"Do you have to fight? Talk it through!" Revan suggested. If they fight, one of Zaalbar's relatives would die. She wanted it to be Chuundar. But reuniting the entire family peacefully would mean that Zaalbar would be even more indebted to her.And the Jedi would finally have to stop lecturing her about her coolness.

"Could we work together? It would be difficult…" Zaalbar noted quietly.

"Convince them! Avoid this needless slaughter!" Revan crowed immediately. It seemed hopeful.

Zaalbar roared out loud, silencing both arguing Wookiees, "Then so be it! The fighting stops here! I will not have our world destroyed beneath you two!"

"Perhaps there is hope. What say you, Chuundar?" Freyyr said hopefully.

Chuundar snorted, "What do I say? I still have Czerka support. I say you will die! Attack!" Not so hopeful anymore.

The Czerka guards in the room attacked immediately. Chuundar's Wookiees did too. Mission powered up her blasters and began blasting the nearest Czerka guard. Juhani and Jolee bolted to both sides to hold the other Wookiees. Freyyr and Zaalbar began dueling Chuundar, who drew a double-blade… and held his ground very well. Revan kicked away the Czerka guard moronic enough to attack her, wringing his neck with the heel of her boot. She then grabbed the wrist of another one, pinning him to the wall with a grip no weaker than durasteel.

The punch into his face broke his nose and the blood rushing into his eyes effectively stopped him from fighting anymore. Mission shrieked slightly as a blaster shot hit her leg, stunning her. But Jolee stunned the Czerka with the Force before he had a chance to finish her off.

Chuundar roared, kicking away Zaalbar and cutting Freyyr. He immediately launched at Revan, who stood with her back to him. She didn't even turn around as her lightsaber flied into her hand and with a twirl of the hilt, the blade stabbed back, piercing Chuundar's flesh. The Wookiee grabbed Revan's shoulder so he wouldn't overbalance, but the pain as the purple beam disappeared back into its hilt was too much. He felt dizzy and with a pained growl, he lost balance, falling on the blinded Czerka nearby. Blood appeared on his black fur and his claws left deep gashes on the screaming Czerka's body as he struggled to keep standing. And he was dead.

Zaalbar helped Freyyr stand up, "We have done it... I am saddened that it had to come to this, but I couldn't let it continue." Freyyr said, as quietly as he could, gazing at Chuundar's bloodstained corpse, "Zaalbar, my son. I am truly sorry. You have suffered a great shame. I was blind. I have no excuse." he told his remaining son.

"I can forgive, father. I have learned a lot over the years." Zaalbar replied, "Returning home has lifted a great weight from my mind... but it has been painful as well."

"You have a place by my side, Zaalbar. I would be honored if you would take it." Freyyr reminded him.

"I... I can't. Not yet." Zaalbar said, shaking his head, "I'm just getting used to being free... and not just from the slavers. And I have a life-debt. Now that my life is truly my own again, honoring that agreement is all the more important." He said, smiling slightly at Revan, who was watching with idle interest.

"Listen to my son! His insight humbles me." Freyyr said proudly, "Take that good judgment with you and all the planets will come to revere Wookiee wisdom."

"So it's time to put your battle plans to motion. Czerka will find out soon." Jolee noted.

"We will fight them." Freyyr declared, "It will be difficult, but I swear they won't take another one of my people without bloodshed. I'll send quick-climbers to other villages and try to rally a defense. We must guard against this ever happening again. You will be the last outsider welcome here for a very long time. That is a change for the better, I think." He paused.
"Before you go, Alexa Denali, I must see to your reward. You have done us a great service. Kashyyyk will remember you well past your lifetime. Because of you, I am reinstated as Chieftain. We will return to the old ways, when honor and trust of kin ruled above all else. I'm not sure there is a reward that accurately reflects the value of what you have done. Our world is changed because of you."

"I have a request, father." Zaalbar said cautiously, "I have thought about it a great deal. I would like Bacca's Sword."

Revan glanced from Zaalbar to Freyyr. The elder Wookiee was actually right – nothing he could give her would be a fitting reward. But he already gave her the greatest reward, without even noticing it – the debt of an entire world. Theoretically, she conquered a planet without an army. And Zaalbar had a right, as a future chieftain, to gain the symbol of his people.

"Well... That is quite a request." Freyyr said, "I am tempted to say no but... perhaps I should consider it an investment. Zaalbar, do you understand what this will mean? It is the legacy of our people, held by chieftains... and future chieftains."

"I understand. I want this, father. I'll bring it back one day." Zaalbar promised, smiling.

"I have no doubt. Let the two halves of the blade be made one." Freyyr took the hilt stashed on the wall between ceremonial markings and the blade. They fit together perfectly, with an audible click. A faint hum… and the vibroblade activated, "My son shall hold Bacca's Sword." he handed the sword to Zaalbar, who bowed his head as he accepted it.

Juhani smiled, most distantly. Mission and Jolee were grinning maniacally. And as they left the Chieftain's Hall, Revan could sense a faint smile creeping to her lips as well. It must have been a side effect of all the happiness around her. Or maybe it was just the fact she now secured the loyalty of a few people.