Trial of the Flesh: Prelude to escapist Termination
The next one is up, here's a small preview. find the full story under Games: Star Wars (the old republic): 'Trial of the Flesh: Prelude part one: Termination'
characters: Mission
Rated: M
Preview:
The rancid stench was foul, filling up the Twi'lek's pores, filling her nasal cavity and pouring down her throat, threatening to drown her with its intoxicating filth. Suffice it to say, the spilled entrails of a murdered Hutt did not present a pleasant aroma.
Mission Vao visibly cringed, resisting the urge to pinch her nose as she spoke. "Okay," she said in a level tone, "he's dead. Can we get out of here now?" The human beside her allowed himself the liberty of a smirk at the young alien's impatience.
"Eager to get back?" He asked.
"Not particularly, but the sooner we get to the ship, the sooner I can say goodbye to this planet for good."
"Fine, I'm done here. I got what I came for. What about you? I take it you've come to a decision?"
"I said I wanted to leave the planet, didn't I? We all set out to save Bastila and defeat Malak. I'm still gonna keep that promise. We have the location of the Star Forge now. I'll stay with you until we destroy it, but that's it. Then we go our separate ways."
"That's very mature of you, Mission. However, it raises the question…"
"What?"
"Zaalbar has sworn a life-debt to me." Mission's eyes widened in realization of the fact. She knew where this was going. "He cannot go back on it. You only decided to tag along because of him. Will you now abandon him?"
"I…"
"After this is over, Zaalbar will remain by my side. What will you do?" Mission sighed, her head bowed. When she spoke, her tone was dead, dejected, defeated.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
The human stepped forward, leaving Mission to follow at her discretion. His footsteps rang forcefully in the silent chamber, echoing like explosions in the hull of a star cruiser. As he walked swiftly to the chamber's exit, a certain sight must have caught his eye, and smirking, he came to stop before the cowering yellow form. Mission quickly moved to join him. Looking down at the body, she knew only that she did not recognize this alien. She was probably one of the dancers.
"And which one is this?" Revan asked. Looking up at him, the dancer's brown eyes filled to the brim with fear, she spoke.
"R-r-ee'sun," her voice tremored, choking on her own words.
"Ree… you have a choice to make."
"A choice?"
"Will you accompany me on my ship, or will your remains be buried here in the sand, lost for eternity?" Ree turned away, her eyes closed. For a long moment, the sun kissed Twi'lek was silent. Turning back to face her captor, she looked him in the eye, sincerity gracing her. She swallowed hard before opening her mouth to speak.
"I… I am yours, Master."
"A wise decision," Revan sneered.
"As if she had a choice. Another slave, Revan?" Mission asked, having crossed the large, dead chamber to stand close behind the human.
"She may be of use to me. One can never be too sure."
"I'll bet," Mission replied, noting the fact that the human didn't bother to deny her implication of him perceiving his comrades as servants. He truly saw them all as expendable. All of them. Any one of them could die and he wouldn't bat an eyelash. He wouldn't care. Even Bastila, who had sacrificed her very life for the mission. Revan seemed totally apathetic. Even with the coordinates to the Star Forge revealed, he seemed to be in no hurry.
Revan was more interested in acquiring financial wealth and physical gratification than saving the life of a companion, even one as important or powerful as Bastila, even one as close as those two had gotten over the course of the mission.
Mission wouldn't voice these thoughts. She knew better than to bring this up here and now of all places, of all times.