Writer's notes: UPDATED 11/20/2006 by Candace and Alice. This section concerns sleep and wakefulness...Zaalbar must awake to the plight of his people. Ergot awakens a force that will grow to consume the team. Powers and darkness thought suppressed awaken in Aerin.
I wanted to write Chuundar as a sellout. He loves power and ingores the land and his people. He even speaks Basic as his norm.
In the Jungle, the Quiet Jungle, the Lion Sleeps Tonight – Part II
The Village of Rwookrorro
HK-47 bristled without speaking as the team was forced to sit before the coal black Wookiee. He popped the cap off of his flamethrower, but Aerin held her palm out, staying the droid's quick hand.
The giant Wookiee glanced condescendingly at his brother's companions and activated a translator on his red necklace. "You mean, Zaalbar never told you?" he said mockingly in perfect Galactic Basic. "Let me introduce myself, I am Chuundar, Chief of Kashyyyk."
Zaalbar attempted to rise, but was pushed down by Chuundar's brutes. "Where is father? What has happened?"
Chuundar grasped the hilt of a broken weapon and waved it menacingly at his brother. "Silence, Madclaw. Your voice is hollow here. All you need to know is that I am Lord and you live or die at my whim."
Aerin looked back to see Zaalbar seething; an angry Wookiee was rarely a good thing. Canderous sat next to him, stone faced. However, she could see the wheels of a master warrior turning in his head.
Chuundar gave them a dismissive wave and then stomped out with his personal guard and concubines in tow. When they had departed, Zaalbar pounded his fists on the floor of the lodge, splintering wood. A low, agonized moan escaped his lips and he looked at Aerin beseechingly.
"Please forgive me! I have led you into this trap. I am worthless…a traitor to my lifedebt."
She put her hand on his furry arm and gave him a reassuring nod. "Zaalbar, it's time to tell us everything. We need to know what is going on."
Zaalbar woofled quietly and then nodded his head. "You deserve no less despite my shame. I will tell you all that there is."
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Twenty years ago, Zaalbar was a highly respected Wookiee and the second son of Freyyr, Chief of the planet. As young Wookiees, Chuundar and Zaalbar were close playmates, learning the lore of their people and the ways of the hunt. The teachings of Bacca, the legendary Wookie of yore, filled their hearts with the idea to care for their fellows and embrace the forest as their provider.
Offworlders had only recently come to Kashyyyk and Freyyr was distrustful of their motives, but was willing to allow their presence on his world. He told his sons to accept their ways but to remain vigilant.
Despite the warning, Chuundar took to the newcomers quickly and established a close relationship with them. Though younger, Zaalbar displayed greater physical prowess through hunting and leadership and the brothers became estranged through jealousy. Chuundar's heart darkened and he turned from the ways of the hunt. Instead, he joined with the offworlders of Czerka Corp and began a hunt of a different kind.
Zaalbar choked. "Chuundar became a slaver. He led the Czerka to our hunting parties and helped to ambush them. I…I found out. I was so enraged, I attacked him with my hands…something only a fiend without honor would do. We are not savages, Aerin Dakar, we are not! My father…my father saw me attack Chuundar. I am forever disgraced."
"I don't understand; why wouldn't your father listen?"
"Once I had broken our sacred vows, I was dead to my father. My words had no voice. I…I was banished and enslaved. When I escaped to Taris and found Mission, I swore to never live in servitude again. Then, the Gamorreans caught me. Now, do you understand? Do you understand my lifedebt to you?"
Aerin fought emotions welling up within her. "We will make this right, Zaalbar. We will find a way."
For a moment, her mind drifted off.
On a serene beach on a quiet planet, Aerin stands over Zaalbar, who is kneeling. He is fighting against invisible arms that force him down. He looks up at her with hate in his eyes.
"Do not fight me, Z," she says mockingly, using his nickname. "Bow to me willingly and you will live. You will be Chief of Kashyyyk."
Zaalbar struggles in vain, as Mission stands nearby, helpless.
Aerin points to the Twi'lek. "All you need to do is kill her."
Zaalbar screams as Aerin's betrayal sinks in.
Aerin shook her head violently, removing the horrible vision from her mind. She chewed on her lip momentarily and Zaalbar looked at her with puzzlement.
"Aerin Dakar, are you okay? Your hair…your hair is turning gray."
"What?" she asked seriously as she pulled out her mirror. "Good heavens!" Her stomach knotted for a moment and she took a swig of Pinkie Pepsid to ease her discomfort.
Before she could erase the annoying strands of gray hair, Chuundar returned. He walked over to the seated group and pointed to Aerin and Carth. Wookiee guards hauled them up roughly to HK-47's immense displeasure. They were brought to Chuundar and forced to kneel.
The corrupt chief grasped Aerin by the face and pulled her up to look at her. "I could crush your head with very little effort," he said with feigned disinterest.
"What do you want, Chuundar?" she answered without emotion, struggling weakly in his hand.
"Hah, very well. I was merely musing. You can be of service to me. I have a little problem I need to take care of."
Carth bristled. "Why don't you do your own dirty work?"
Chuundar dropped Aerin to the ground and palmed Carth's skull with his massive hand. "Because if you don't, I will kill Zaalbar and make you all my slaves. You see, puny human, you have no choice. What I need you to do is eliminate a nuisance in the forest below. Another madclaw has been attacking my people and killing my Czerka friends. He is in the Shadowlands. Find him and kill him."
As Aerin tried to rise, the Wookiee Chief put his foot on her back, forcing her to the ground with his weight. "Fine, Chuundar, we'll go," she said with some effort.
"Good, I'm glad we could negotiate. Zaalbar shall remain here along with this pilot to ensure your compliance," he said arrogantly, pointing to Carth.
Aerin struggled. "Wait, we need them. Do you want us to do this or not?"
Chuundar removed his foot and roughly pulled Aerin up again. "Why are you still here? I will kindly give your people a week to find and kill the renegade madclaw or I will vent my wrath on Zaalbar and your pilot."
As Carth was led away, Aerin took his hand. "Don't worry, Carth, we will free you and Zaalbar."
He gave her a sly smile. "I've survived worse. Besides, I was due for another vacation."
The group departed, reluctantly leaving Carth and Zaalbar under the watchful eyes of the Wookiees. Aerin looked at Zaalbar and saw the anguished expression on his face as he was torn over the abuse his brother had inflicted on his friends.
As they left the Chief's lodge, HK-47's eyes lit up. "Informative Statement: Fur burns quite fiercely with the application of napalm."
"You will get your chance, HK. I'm sure of it," Aerin responded quietly, seething inside at her humiliation at the hands of Chuundar.
"Query: Is that a promise, Master?"
Canderous checked his blaster and slung it across his back. "What was the problem back there? Are you losing your nerve? We could've wasted them."
Bastila turned on him. "At what cost? Half of us would be dead. Remember, the mission is more important than our pride," she said angrily.
Aerin sighed. "Okay, enough. Yes, the mission is more important, but just remember that you don't have a Wookiee footprint on your backside." She had swallowed a great deal of pride to bring the team out unharmed and it chafed at her.
In the Village of Rwookrrorro
They walked down a ramp toward the distant landing where they would be given access to the surface. Aerin's mind raced. Damn, maybe Canderous was right? I could get Z and Carth killed. Think…remember, do not show fear…I must have the will to prevail.
As she was lost in thought, a young, cream-colored Wookiee walked into Juhani. As he looked at them, he grunted angrily. "Offworlders, what have you done with Rorwoor? If you have harmed him, I will kill you myself!" he wailed in Shryiwook.
Aerin was the only one to understand him. She took a deep breath, keeping her mind from her treatment at the hands of the Wookiees. "Young Wookiee, we do not know anyone named Rorwoor, nor have we harmed any of your people. We come here peacefully. Please, what is the problem?" she asked with a bit of an edge.
A second, much older Wookiee rushed up to the congregation. "What are you doing with Woorwill? Leave him alone, offworlders! Hey, how have you come to speak our language, human woman?"
The Padawan sighed, growing impatient with the unexpected nuisance. "Ummm, I learned your language from a Wookiee. Young Woorwill ran into us while we were making our way to the surface. Apparently…a Wookiee named Rorwoor is missing?"
The older Wookiee stopped his tirade suddenly, looking nervous. "Yes, I am Jaarak. Rorwoor is a great hero among our people. He has been missing in the Shadowlands for several days." Jaarak looked around as if to see if anyone was listening. "Do not concern yourselves with this matter, offworlders. You would not understand. Now, just move along and let us be."
With a shrug, Aerin pressed on down the walkway. "I'd love to leave you all alone, but that's not an option," she muttered.
When they were out of earshot, Komad Fortuna approached the Padawan. "I could easily track the Wookiee that Chuundar seeks on the surface, if that is our intent. However, I sense that you have something else in mind."
Bastila turned and added her thoughts. "Yes, I'm sure we never had any intention of assassinating someone at the behest of the likes of Chuundar," she said distastefully.
Aerin shook her head. "Of course not. We had to bide our time with Chuundar; there was no way to win there. We must exhibit patience and wait for the right time to rescue Carth and Zaalbar. This whole scenario may be a blessing as it has given us access to the surface to find the Star Map."
"Ah, thinking strategically," said Canderous. "Maybe I was a bit hasty. You have a gift for planning."
The Czerka Village
Meanwhile, at the Czerka Village, Mission sat at the hotel, playing with Sasha. The child's language skills had advanced rapidly under Aerin's Force-fed tutelage. Ensign Helos wandered by and came over.
"I see Sasha is having quite the fun time here. She's come a long way," said the blonde woman as she sat on the ground next to the two.
Mission smiled as Sasha waved several dolls about. "Yes, Aerin and me are going to take care of her. Nobody's going to abandon Sasha again."
The young girl hugged a female doll with black hair. "Mommy love me!" she yelled and Mission tousled her hair.
"Yes, Sasha, you'll be with us always."
The Ensign's eyebrows furrowed. "You know she has a real family, don't you?"
The blue Twi'lek looked away. "Aerin says we'll figure that out when the time comes. She says Sasha can stay with us for now…it's for the greater good."
Ensign Helos shrugged. "Well, Sasha is delightful and I don't mind having her around. I'm going to poke around some. I think I have fulfilled all of my administrative requirements prior to doing anything useful. Just between you and me, Mission, sometimes I wonder how the Republic gets anything done. Aerin was correct back on Tatooine; the bureaucracy may be costing us the war."
Mission turned back to face the ensign, her eyes hopeful. "I'm going to join you folks one day. Aerin's going to help me get in the Academy and I will do my duty."
"You'll be a great asset, Mission. See you later."
"Bye, Niki. Be safe."
As Niki Helos left the hotel, she saw her superior board a speeder, which soon drove off. How did such a small-minded man get to rise to such a position in the Republic? This whole deal with appointed positions and the purchase of commissions is choking the Admiralty with incompetent leadership. It seems that the recent reforms are coming apart.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sight of a man in a laboratory gown, buying a cup of caffa at a nearby stand. Caffa, sounds like a plan….
She walked over to the stand as the man took his cup and filled it with cream. "Ahhh, a little caffa with your cream, huh? Just the way I like it," she said sweetly.
The scientist looked up and fumbled with his sweetener. "Oh, yes. I need a little jolt to keep me going."
Niki helped the man pour sweetener into the dark, brown liquid. "Would you mind some company? I'm new around here."
Niki Helos was a graduate of the Republic Naval Academy and had earned a position in the Republic's vaunted Intelligence Field Operations Division. She had proven herself in both the Field Operations and the Counterintelligence courses and was given this rare opportunity to participate in the most important operation of the war.
The most important skill she had learned was how to talk to people and pry tidbits of information from them. Soon, her conversation partner was telling her about Czerka experiments on pharmaceuticals and live Wookiees and she had even wrangled a tour of the lab.
Okay, so I didn't get prior written approval for this, but screw Ergot, I'm not psychic. How the heck am I suppose to get prior approval for something I didn't know was going to happen?
As they stood, she brushed back her blonde hair flirtatiously and took the scientist's hand. "Oh, I am so impressed. I'm sure your lab is going to be awesome."
On the Great Walkway
Kilometers away, Commander Haman Ergot exited the speeder near a series of shops along a wide avenue. Posing as a shopper, he began to walk a route to draw out any surveillance. Once he was satisfied that he was alone, he set to work.
While eating a sausage at a restaurant called the 'Greasy Wiener', Ergot pulled out a sheet of transparent paper. Using the grease on his fingers, he smeared the oily substance over the paper and a map and diagram appeared. He studied it momentarily before wrapping the paper around the rest of the sausage and eating it.
He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and then headed out toward a part of the walkway designed like a park. Ergot continued to walk in lazy, haphazard patterns, scanning around like he was looking at birds. When he arrived at an old, gnarled Wroshyr Tree, he saw the gap in the bark that he was looking for. He quickly reached in and pulled out a plasteel canister, into which he placed another transparent piece of paper.
Ergot scanned around again and tossed the canister back into the hole. Whistling gaily, he wandered off in search of a drink, making sure to leave an invisible ultraviolet mark on the tree.
At least someone appreciates my skills in Intelligence. When Aerin and Carth are dead, I can resume my life and emerge the hero.
Several minutes went by until a translucent form began to descend down the trunk of the tree. The form blended in with the browns and greens of the area in some form of stealth camouflage. A nearly invisible hand reached into the hole to retrieve the canister and then the form scurried back up the tree into the canopy.
Little did he know, but Ergot had awoken an insatiable monster would consume the quest.