Ah here we go finding Kota!

Disclaimer-ness: i own no characters. but actually i think technically the plot of this chapter?

Chapter 11:

New Mission

Starkiller placed Juno down lightly into PROXY's usual seat. "Don't even think about trying to pilot this ship," he warned. The pilot did not protest, but only watched as the apprentice took the controls with PROXY in the copilot's chair. The Rogue Shadow swiftly jumped to light speed, and Juno slept.

When the ship exited hyperspace, Juno stretched tentatively hoping to not find any pain. Thankfully, she found herself slightly sore, but intact. Sliding off the chair. Juno peered over Starkiller's shoulder and examined the console. "There doesn't seem to be any sign of pursuit. I'm assuming we're already light years away from any Imperial forces."

Starkiller craned his head and smirked, "Good to see that you're up."

"Thanks," Juno replied before sighing.

"Such a heavy sigh," he commented. "Something wrong?"

"Its just…there is the entire galaxy in front of us. We can go to any world and just disappear, at least for a short time. But for the first time…ever really, I don't know where to go," she said wistfully.

"Well, I'll tell what we won't do," the apprentice began.

"We're not hiding."

"Of course not."

"Surely you don't mean to go back alone?" she asked expectantly.

"We need to rally as many enemies of the Empire as we can. As for me, I need to find someone that can teach me things that Vader could not," he explained, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before turning his chair to face Juno.

"Sounds like we're still hunting Jedi," Juno offered, searching the young man's face for a clue.

"And…we know one that might still be alive," he said vaguely.

"We? I only know of Shaak Ti, Paratus, and…Kota. You think General Kota is still alive?" Juno asked incredulously. "He fell! We both saw it!"

"I survived being thrown into space," he countered.

"Is that what happened? Then how were you aboard the Empirical?" Juno queried.

"Vader wanted to experiment on me I suppose" he lied unbeknownst to the pilot.

Juno rolled her eyes, "Figures. What makes you think Kota is alive?"

"When I fought him, he said he would be part of my future," Starkiller explained.

"And you don't think that it was a plot to ruin your concentration?" the pilot tried to reason.

"Shaak Ti said that all Sith betray one another, and she was right. Let's hope Kota is right as well," he said before standing and offering Juno her chair.

"Any idea where to start?" she asked, once situated in her seat.

"Nar Shaddaa," he said before heading towards the training room with PROXY. "And Juno?"

"Hm?"

"I'm…glad to have found you on that ship," and the door swished shut.

Juno arched her eyebrow at the now closed door before beginning the necessary jump. Aside from the previous mission, Juno had never laid eyes on Nar Shaddaa, but she knew the tales. The Smuggler's Moon it was called. A place where anything could be sold, bought, or traded. Information, spice, slaves; it did not matter to the Hutts or the Empire. If Kota did indeed survive, finding him could prove difficult, but she was confident that if anybody could find a Jedi that was supposed to be dead, it was Starkiller.

And what of Starkiller for that matter? What did he get out of gathering allies? Revenge? Vindication? Or undo all the wrongs he committed? The pilot grimaced at her new view on what was wrong and what was right. From the inside, the Empire was her life; all that she had ever known was its strong embrace. But now, after the embrace turned into a push, she saw what it truly was: sick, twisted, and a gross overuse of power. What was done to her was unforgiveable, but Juno found herself unsure of why she was staying by Starkiller's side. When he suggested gathering allies, she followed, but why? Was it that she needed direction, or perhaps she felt she owed something to the man after her rescue?

The pilot shook her head, once again finding that the more questions she brought up, the more her lack of answers disturbed her. The Rogue Shadow decelerated, and Juno steered towards the moon, noting that construction was already underway to rebuild the TIE fighter factory. Was it really such a short time ago that she had just met the young man in the other room? It all seemed so unreal.

"The nerve," came Starkiller's voice, causing Juno to jump. "I worked hard to practically destroy that place."

"Perhaps you'll get another chance," Juno replied, activating the stealth systems. "But really you'll need to do things more thoroughly next time," she teased as she entered the moon's atmosphere.

"I managed to rescue you pretty thoroughly," Juno did not respond. "Silence? So you admit I saved you?"

"Technically my capture was your fault," she reasoned. "I'd call it an apology."

"An apology?" he asked, taking the seat next to her. The pilot nodded. "You're wrong," he said quietly.

"Oh?"

Starkiller nodded and turned Juno's chair to face him. He swiftly grabbed her hand in his own. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess."

Juno snorted, "You? I got myself into this mess. Too damn good of a pilot."

Starkiller chuckled, "I stand corrected then."

"Yes. What's the plan?"

"Land, then we'll search for some information on Kota," he said simply.

"We? As in you and me?"

He nodded, "Sure why not?"

"Who is going to stay with the ship?" she asked. "We can't just leave a ship like this on the Smuggler's Moon."

"That's why PROXY will be staying behind," he said like it was the most obvious thing ever. "And I have three good reasons for taking you with me."

"Three?" she asked, crossing her arms while she scanned for a dock. "I'm almost impressed."

"One, you need to get out of the ship. Two, people will be more willing to tell you something."

"And why is that?" she asked, curious at his confidence in her.

"It's not everyday somebody as attractive as you walks into a cantina," he answered, sweeping hair out of the pilot's eyes.

Juno blushed and resisted the urge to slap him for objectifying her. "And the third?"

"You can't hit the broad side of a bantha with your blaster," he teased.

This time Juno did slap him.

After landing, changing into more suitable attire and "avoiding" the docking fee, Juno and Starkiller made their way to the closest cantina: the Undertow. "Well hello beautiful," came a call as Juno sat at the bar. The pilot glanced nervously over at Starkiller who was taking a table in the corner before turning to the bartender.

"Why do I have the feeling you're not here for a drink?" asked the bartender, who in Juno's opinion needed a shower…badly.

Juno smirked, "Sounds like that happens often."

"You'd be surprised," he grimaced. "Killing my profits. So who or what are you looking for?"

"Older gentleman, gray hair pulled into a bun, blind?"

The man chortled, "Heh, yeah I know him. Kept trying to get free drinks by waving his hand. Man thought he was a Jedi! Can you believe that?" he guffawed.

"Any idea where he was going?" she queried.

"In his many drunken ramblings," he started. "Kota would grumble about possibly hiding out on Ziost. However, he said something about the excellent cantinas at Cloud City on Bespin."

Juno flashed a sweet smile and threw a smattering of credits on the bar. "For your troubles," she said before grabbing Starkiller and leaving.

"That was fast," he said. "It seems I underestimated your appeal."

"Shut it," Juno grunted after elbowing him. "We're off to Bespin."

In case you're wondering, in the Wii and former console versions you do find Kota on Nar Shaddaa. However, I'll stick with the PS3 and 360.

One more thing, many ppl have requested a deviation from the final ending...thoughts?