Lord knows as soon as I stepped into real civilization I asked as many people I could find about a Krayt Dragon. Granted, most of them laughed at me and told me it was a myth, and I would get killed by one if they did exist, but I was determined. I heard Carth snickering behind me and was about to turn around when I saw three dark Jedi standing in our path. One of them nodded towards me and they gripped their lightsabers. Mine was out by now.

"Lord Malak was most displeased when he learned you escaped Taris alive." He said as he activated his lightsaber.

"Well, that's too bad. We had no intention of sticking around." Canderous quipped, aiming his rifle.

"There's a reward for whoever brings your corpse to him."

"Then come and get it." I chuckled.

They wasted no time igniting their lightsabers and charged towards Carth as he steadily held his blasters. I ran in front of him, holding my lightsaber and engaging in a duel with the first person to reach me. I tirelessly fought with one of them until Carth rested his blasters on my shoulders and fired at the oncoming Dark Jedi, sending him back to the ground, dead. Carth spun around to face another Dark Jedi and I stood to his back, dealing with my own problem. Bastila and Canderous finished off one and came to help us. I managed to cut the head off of a Dark Jedi just as Canderous and Carth finished off another one. I collected lightsabers and credits until I saw Carth shifting uncomfortably.

"Something wrong Carth?" I asked, scooping up a short lightsaber.

"You do this with such precision," He observed, noticing the cauterized wound of where a head should be, "Almost too good."

"We have to defend ourselves. No one is going to do it for us." I remarked.

"I suppose you're right." Carth replied, shifting his weight and toying with his blasters.

I knew we had to find that Star Map and I knew it appeared to be in some sort of cave somewhere, perhaps in a Krayt Dragon's den? We'll just have to find out.

--

After realizing that the only way we'll get into the dune sea is by killing the Sand People's leader, I figured we could find a translator droid somewhere on Tatooine. We walked into a cool shop where an Ithorian greeted us cheerfully. I noticed a red HK model droid in the corner, so I drifted towards him. His head turned to observe the new strangers in the room and his dimmed and brightened every so often. Something about this droid seemed so tantalizingly familiar. I touched the cold metal and a grey haze appeared before my eyes. I shook my head as the shopkeeper spoke.

"I see you noticed my HK-47 model. He's very good."

"What can he do?" Bastila asked, desperate to know if he can translate.

"He's fully able to translate any dialect and—"

"Statement: I am an assassin droid, not a diplomat." The droid said coolly.

"Erm, yes. His assassination protocols have been deactivated, but I assure you he still well equipped for combat."

"How much?" I asked quickly. I was more or less interested in why he seemed so familiar than anything else.

"4,000 credits. Take it or leave it." He said sternly.

Canderous shrugged his shoulders and lifted his enormous blaster into the shopkeeper's face as it warmed to a dull glow.

"I say give it to us for free or I'll blow you to kingdom come." He almost chuckled.

"Take it, please! Just get the hell out of here!" He panicked.

I could feel my temper burning as we unhooked HK-47 and brought him outside. When we were back in the hot desert sun, Canderous sighed in what seemed like relief.

"I just saved us 4,000 credits doll. What do you have to say about that?"

I could control myself anymore. I turned around and cracked him across the face with my palm. Before he could open his mouth I went on a tirade about how we can't point guns at everyone, we never know when we'll get into more trouble than it's worth. I ordered him back to the Ebon Hawk as the rest of trekked outside into the even hotter desert air. Halfway through the dunes, Carth decided to speak up.

"Don't you think it was a little extreme to hit him? I mean—"

"Not at all! He didn't know if he had guns bigger than all of us combined, and he should never call me doll! My name is Zerstoren; I am no one's doll!"

I kicked the sand in fury and it blew into a circle and dissipated into the breeze. I sighed in frustration and continued on until we came across what looked like the encampment. We approached the guard and HK told them that we wanted peace. He led us inside and we cautiously followed. He began to speak in his dialect and we all looked to HK.

"Translation: He wants to know what you're doing here."

"Tell him we mean him no harm."

"Translation: OWWW, OW OW OW!!"

After a few exchanges, we were allowed to see the Chieftain. HK-47 explained the situation of attacking the miners, and if they could please stop that we would be lovely. One of the Czerka reps told me they needed water, so I figured buying moisture vaporators was a good idea. I presented the vaporators to the Chieftain a sign of good faith, and HK translated that we were free to go and he agreed to stop the attacks on the miners. He also gave me his gaffi stick as a reward.

"Actually HK, can you ask him if he has a map to the Eastern Dune Sea?"

HK-47 gave a slight sigh and translated my question for me. The Chieftain nodded vigorously and handed me a map. I bowed slightly and we left the enclave. I decided to wait until later to speak with Czerka, finding the Star Map was far more important at this point. I saw an enormous opening and a Twi'lek standing in front of it, pondering.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"Ah, perhaps you can help! My friend went in there to see the Krayt Dragon and it seems as though he was eaten. I have to lure the dragon out, but I can't do it without a Bantha or two."

My eyes lit up as soon as I heard "Krayt Dragon." I knew the Star Map was in here, so I offered to help. He handed me some Bantha fodder and I was off in search of some grazing Banthas. I came across a few and the sniffed my pockets, nudging and nipping at me. They were almost too cute to be eaten by a Krayt Dragon. Just before we made it back to the hunter, I heard the unmistakable howl of Sand People getting ready to attack. I readied my lightsaber and used the force to launch myself backwards, cutting one of them in half as I came back down. I tucked and rolled in the hot sand just before one of the Sand People could hit me with his gaffi stick. Bastila and Carth took care of the rest and the earth seemed to shake as the Krayt Dragon came out of his den. Mines along the mouth of the entrance went off without a hitch and the Dragon fell with a tremendous thud, casting me off my feet. Carth helped me up and I ran inside the den. It was dark and dank, but I could see the glow of the Star Map in the back.

"Yes…" I whispered as I lightly touched the cold metal. How could it be cold in the desert?

Another piece of the map was complete and we headed outside with a sigh. I stopped short and could feel the dark side not too far from us.

"Are there more dark Jedi out there?" Carth asked sternly.

"No," I replied closing my eyes, "It's even worse…it's the man who killed Trask."