I awoke with a jarr and a slight moan. I clutched my head a splitting head ache awoke with me.
"Good to see you up instead of thrashing about in your sleep. You must've been having one hell of a nightmare." Carth said quietly.
"Yeah.." I replied softly, recalling the dream of Bastila fighting Darth Revan.
Why the hell would I have a dream like that, I wonder?
"Do you remember me?" Carth asked. "I'm Carth Onasi, I was on the escape pod with you, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." I replied. "I'm Zerstoren by the way."
"Right, Zerstoren." Carth pronounced my name wrong.
"No, it's pronounced Zershturen."
"Okay, Zerstoren." Carth corrected. "We still have to rescue Bastila somehow."
"And how do you propose we do that?" I asked, getting out of bed.
"For starters, you get dressed."
I looked down, and to my shock and embarrassment, I was in my underwear.
"Why in space am I in my underwear?!" I asked frantically, looking around.
Carth pointed to the clothes in the bed next to mine, cleaned and pressed. I looked to him with shock and disgust.
"Relax." He said, rolling his eyes. "I only undressed you so I could treat your wounds, and so I could clean them AND so you would be comfortable."
I sighed lightly. At least he was thinking of my own comfort and safety. I snatched my clothes and carefully got dressed, eyeing Carth all the while. Just because he was a decorated Republic hero doesn't mean he wouldn't make a move on a tired, injured girl. I strapped my boots and and shook on my beaten up brown jacket, reaching into the pocket and content to find a cigarette. Carth looked disgusted as I lit up, so I offered him one.
"No thanks, I don't smoke." He said and pointed to the window.
I rolled my eyes and drifted over to the window and opened it, leaning out and taking a deep drag on my cigarette. The sunlight spilling in to the room reflected off my deep, ocean blue eyes that could tell any secret with the right kind of light. This was the right light.
"Something wrong?" Carth asked, looking out the window.
"All these Sith, they've swarmed the place." I remarked, taking another drag on my cigarette and tossing it out the window.
"Yeah, this place is under Sith Quarantine. No one's allowed in or out, except on official Sith business."
"I'm shocked." I replied sarcastically, tying my matted black hair into a tight bun.
I desperately needed a shower, and preferably soon.
"Where should we start looking for Bastila?" I asked as I checked myself out in a mirror.
"We should ask around the local Cantinas, I'm sure someone knows something about the Republic space pods crashing, or a Jedi captive." Carth inquired as I opened up the door.
"Then lets head out then, shall we?" I replied and lead the way.
"Whatever you say." Carth mumbled and walked out of the apartment.
As we walked out, a Sith and two droids were shaking down two Duros.
"This is the third time in a week you've shaken us down!" One of them complained. "Isn't this enough?"
I gasped in shock as the Sith man shot him down in cold blood. As much as I hated blasters I snatched Carth's and pointed it to the back of his head.
"Leave this poor guy alone, will you?" I asked patiently.
The droids seemed confused.
"What are you waiting for?!" He shouted. "Shoot her!"
I backed up and Carth grabbed his blaster back, shooting down all three targets as I fumbled with my vibroblade.
"Jesus you're good." I whispered as I helped the terrified Duros man up.
He mumbled about his dead friend and told us to scurry along before we got in trouble.
"Sounds good to me." I replied as Carth followed me out into the Upper City streets of Taris.