A/N: I seem to have made a slip up during my first few chapters by stating that both Elena and Bastila are Padawans, when they're supposed to be Jedi Knights. I made that mistake because I'm not that knowledgeable in Star Wars lore beyond the films and games I've played, and basically didn't know that only Jedi Knights can go on solo missions, while Padawans must go on missions in the company of a Master. So I've fixed up the earlier chapters, and will be keeping that in mind for future updates.
This chapter is quite a long stretch, as I wanted to make quick progress and leave Taris behind as soon as possible. So here it is.
Chapter 6
Dark Sorrows
Bastila Shan sat silently on the cold floor of her cruelly inhospitable confines, her face buried in her knees and forearms out of unimaginable shame. Her Master was nowhere to be seen and in no position or capacity whatsoever to aid her, having been parted from her several hours ago. The two Jedi, prior to separation, had agreed to keep a close watch on two separate suspects during their bid to infiltrate and deal with a smuggling gang which had not only taken a number of people hostage on the world of Corellia, but was suspected of leaking sensitive intelligence to the Mandalorians during the ongoing war.
The reality of the current situation was a hard and difficult medicine to swallow, especially for one such as her. Far too accustomed to regular praise from the other Masters for her proficiency in the Jedi disciplines, including a seemingly peerless command of the unique power of Battle Meditation despite being the tender age of 13, the young Padawan had become prideful and overconfident to the point of arrogance.
Serves me right, she thought, finding enough humor left in herself that she managed a small smile.
Fear festered within and drowned her heart, but it was not the fear she imagined she would be forced to endure.
She knew that trapped in the clutches of these smugglers and gangsters were innocent men, women and children who were at present most likely trembling within their prisons and fearing for their very lives.
She knew that her Master would be worried sick for her safety, and would even perhaps be driven mad by anxiety despite being an expert herself regarding the mantra of the Jedi.
She knew that the possibility of losing her life would mean that one day, when the situation became potentially dire, she would not be able to play her part in defending the Republic from the Mandalorian threat.
But above all, in a way that seemed to completely betray her inner conscience as a Jedi, she feared for little more than herself. Here she was, a 13 year-old girl, weaponless and powerless due to the Force-suppressing and neural-disrupting collar around her neck, unable to defend herself against any who would mean her harm. She heard horrible stories about the slave trade that would be conducted by such criminals with clients who were often of even lower moral standards, and shuddered to think what fate might have in store for her.
And now, her mind raced with panic as she heard the sound of footsteps steadily approaching, every step creating a pounding noise against the metallic floor which resonated in perfect unison with her pounding heartbeat.
She clenched her eyes shut, ready to give up all hope of escape and any future of freedom.
A single shout came.
And then silence.
Beads of sweat started forming on her brow as she backed herself into the corner of her cell, not knowing just who or what would emerge through the door that shifted upward.
A man entered, his face and identity completely shrouded by the utter darkness of her cell. But regardless of the effects of the collar around the neck which prevented her from tapping into the Force, she knew he was staring at her. His eyes burning into her soul like a beast staring down its prey.
And then he approached, his deep voice echoing throughout her chamber.
"Bastila?" Kael spoke, compelling the Jedi Knight to break out of her temporary trance. After a high-pitched battle against the Vulkars who rushed at them without mercy or hesitation, Kael and his companions at last managed to reach the prison compound of the Vulkar base to rescue the captive Jedi. The two women's jailers lay dead and lifeless on the floor, having been coldly and efficiently eliminated by the ruthless Ice.
Bastila could only murmur, shocked beyond belief at the sight of her rescuer. "You…you are…"
"Kael Deren, soldier in the Republic fleet," he hastily said, walking forward and using the set of keys he took from the dead Vulkar jailer to unlock the prison cell. He walked firstly to Bastila and freed her from her restrictive collar. "We'll have time to proper make introductions later. For now, we have to move."
Bastila, understanding the dire need for urgency, used what strength remained in her to stand upright. She gladly took her old lightsaber which was handed to her by Carth, and gave a nod of thanks to the soldier whom she knew well.
Turning his attention to Elena after freeing the younger Jedi Knight, Kael quickly tended to the collar around her neck, always mindful of the fact that time was growing scarcer by the second. After the device fell with a clatter onto the floor, Kael found himself momentary unable to move, seemingly entranced by the dreary eyes of Elena which seemed to call out to his very soul. The Jedi then reached out and placed her arms over Kael's shoulders, her weak and trembling touch being indicative of her fatigued state.
Quickly rising and bringing Elena up to her feet, Kael informed them of the situation. "We've managed to take out their leadership and lock down most of the base. Now come on – we've got to get out of here as soon as possible!"
"Can you fight?" Carth asked as he handed Elena her lightsaber, noticing the limp in her movements.
"Y-yes, I should be fine," she replied, still shaken and battered from the torture dealt to her by the Vulkars during the interrogation. "Let's just get a move on."
"You're in no condition to fight from the front, Elena," Kael insisted. "Keep close to the rear – Mission and Zaalbar, you provide cover for her. Bastila, Carth and I will take the front."
Carth couldn't help but shoot a slight glare at his subordinate who didn't do as much as look back at him before striding forward out of the prison block. Not only was Kael lower than him in rank, but Kael's rash and altogether unwise actions had landed them in unnecessary trouble several times during their bid to find Bastila and Elena.
But for now, seeing that there was no reason to believe that an unforeseen negative consequence may arise out of Kael's course of action, the decorated war hero decided to remain silent and co-operate. There would always be time for rebuking later.
Thanks to Ice having scrambled the radar system of all the Vulkar patrols during the time she spent tinkering with the console in the command room, the group was easily able to dispatch the scattered and demoralized Vulkars who strayed wayward into their path. The skill of the two Jedi Knights made their fight all the more easier, their presence being seemingly enough to send many inexperienced and cowardly Vulkar gangsters running for their lives instead of standing their ground to engage their enemy.
At last, they came to the elevator, which lay open to them after a group of now dead Vulkars had previously taken it to engage them in combat. After they rushed inside, Carth punched in a button to begin the descent to the main level. A sigh escaped the lips of all after the doors closed shut, and they struggled to find their breath after non-stop combat and running.
"So much for your plan of stealth and secrecy, Ice," Mission quipped.
The blonde assassin was not amused. "Look, right now we need to focus on escaping. We can forget about coming back the way we came, not just because of the swarms of rakghouls that will be waiting for us, but also because we can be blown to kingdom-come if a Vulkar decides to throw a thermal detonator after us as we go back down the kitchen drain."
"So what route do we take?" Bastila asked.
"The only route we can take," Ice muttered. "Out the front door and into the Lower City."
"But that route will be packed!" Mission argued. "Even after you sealed the entire complex's doors, there are still going to be Vulkars crawling around the place! And what about Ada?"
Shit, Ice thought, biting her lip. Ada…
"We'll try our best to get her out as well," Carth said. "Stay frosty – we're almost there!"
After the elevator's doors creaked open again, the party rushed forth, rapidly and relentlessly cutting down the Vulkars who had packed the corridor in which the disabled turrets could not be relied upon to subdue the intruders. Finding no advantage in their superior numbers, the Vulkars drew back in disarray after seeing their ranks shattered by a devastating Force Push from Bastila, which left the others ample time to eliminate the gangsters with their blasters. And all the time while they fought, Kael regularly looked back to see if Elena was holding up, deeply concerned for her safety.
But despite believing that the shoddy caliber of the Vulkars would mean that the worst of their troubles was over, the battle would grow even more difficult yet. Picking up on their so-far ineffective battle tactics, the Vulkars seemed to recuperate, adopting a more scattered formation after seeing their fellow gang members easily defeated by the two Jedi's Force powers as a result of clumping together in groups. With blaster fire coming from seemingly every direction and unable to focus their firepower solely forward to quickly fight their way through the sea of enemies, the party was forced to quicken its pace, bounding desperately to the exit to the Lower City.
Seeing her friend Ada cowering in a corner with Vulkars in close proximity, Ice opened fire, her expert aim enabling her to take out each of the three enemies with deadly precision. She promptly waved her hand inward as a gesture to Ada to follow, and the now freed slave duly paced along with them in the middle of the group.
"Thanks, Ice. I owe you," she said, puffing as she ran.
"Thank me later – we're not out of this yet!" Ice reminded her, using what little time Kael's covering fire bought her to reload her pistol with a new magazine. To her relief, the adjoining corridor leading to the exit to the Lower City was a more narrow one, preventing the Vulkars from utilizing ample space to their advantage. Taking the lead in front of the group with Bastila, she confidently strode forward, fearlessly shooting down the Vulkars who stood before her.
Their hearts pounding and sweat running down their faces, the group bounded towards the exit that was now in plain sight before them after they made a turn at the corner of the corridor. Vulkars fell like flies all around them, and salvation seemed to be in sight, until…
"Agh!" a loud yelp came from Ada who fell crumpling to the floor after being hit square in the back by a blaster shot. Unable to keep pace for long with the team of Jedi, soldiers and gang members, the woman had gradually fallen further and further behind, until Zaalbar and Mission, far too occupied by the need to combat the Vulkars who stood between them and their escape, neglected and failed to protect her.
"Ada!" Ice cried out to her friend, and the party soon came to a screeching halt. The battle still roared on, and staying stationary did not help them the slightest in their bid to remain unscathed as a shower of blaster fire came flying in their direction, and the Jedi were not able to deflect them all away.
Ada still slowly crawled towards them, terribly wounded but determined to survive. She looked up painfully at Ice, imploring her with an outstretched hand to help her.
"Ice, help her! We'll hold them off!" Carth shouted.
"Hurry up! We've gotta keep moving!" Mission yelled, nervously continuing to shoot at the Vulkars which bounded at them.
Locked in a dilemma and everything suddenly seeming to slow and grind to a halt around her, Ice stared down at her wounded friend. If she chose to help her, then the group may very well be unable to escape by being hampered by her injured state. If she decided to leave her, then Ada would doubtlessly be subjected to unimaginable torture that could only end with her death.
Deciding that the choice was clear, Ice elected to show Ada mercy.
She raised her blaster pistol and executed her friend with a blaster bolt to the forehead. Ada slumped down onto the floor, her lifeless eyes staring into Ice's soul.
"Ice! What the hell was that?" Carth furiously bellowed, incensed by her behavior.
"Shut up and get your asses moving! Now!" Ice shot back, and they began to move at a rapid pace once again. Brutally overpowering the entrance guards, they ran through the open gateway, which Ice took a gamble by leaving open while using the security console, and disappeared into the darkness of the Lower City.
Knowing that they were not out of the woods yet, they moved from dark place to dark place, remaining deathly silent, unseen and unheard so as to avoid stirring the attention of the Vulkar patrols who sought to hound them like maddened hungry dogs.
Then at last, after what felt like an eternity on the run, they heard the last of the Vulkars disappear back to their base, frightened by a faint sound in the distance of what seemed to be a squadron of Sith patrols. The escapees could now afford to breathe easy, gladdened by the fact that they had managed to flee with their lives.
Sensing that they were out of danger, Bastila immediately rebuked Ice. "How could you do such a cold-blooded thing? How could you just kill a defenseless woman like that?"
Ice remained silent, looking down out of guilt and whispering back. "And what do you think the Vulkars would have done to her? She would have been subjected to unimaginable agony if I didn't kill her. Ending her life was an act of mercy."
"But why didn't you try to save her?" Mission hissed.
"If I did, then chances are that you would be dead right now, Mission. Do you really think you would have stayed safe if you remained in the rear during our escape?"
Mission could not answer.
"I assure you that nobody is as heartbroken and ashamed than me after what just happened to Ada," Ice grumpily said. "But for now, we need to keep on moving. I'm not going to rest easy until we're back at the Bek base. We can see if there's anything else we can do to help you guys out when we see Gadon."
Elena shuddered slightly at the sound of the Bek leader's name. She still felt utterly guilty and shameful that her recklessness almost led to the deaths of all who currently surrounded her.
Her thoughts were broken the moment Kael gently grasped her forearm and spoke to her.
"Are you okay?" he said. And despite his somewhat lecherous nature, Elena knew that Kael was asking because he genuinely cared for her wellbeing.
"Yes," she answered with a weak smile. "I can move on my own. I am just…tired after that ordeal. I should be able to recover by the morning. Let's go."
"Back to the base, huh?" Mission said with a yawn and a stretch. "Good – I'm dead tired after that."
Even though the Lower City was perpetually darker than the bright and luxurious Upper City, the young Twi'lek could tell that it was late into the night. Sith patrols were always out and about at this hour, ready to arrest any individual who broke the curfew that so few people even inclined to obey. But as expected, the brightly armored troops stayed clear of the bases of the three major gangs, wisely refraining from causing any commotion which could only lead to a reduction in their numbers from needless conflicts.
"So tell me, Bastila," Kael said as they walked in the direction of the Bek base. "How did you exactly come to be captured by that gang?"
"When my escape pod crashed, I hit my head and lost consciousness," Bastila explained. "When I woke again, I found myself strapped to an interrogation chair with that blasted collar around my neck, and my lightsaber nowhere to be seen."
"Well, that explains it," Kael shrugged. "A decorated Jedi Knight who personally defeated even the Dark Lord himself would never have been simply subdued by a lowly gang if she wasn't unconscious."
"I did not 'defeat' him," Bastila clarified. "Not in the sense of slaying him in combat, if that was what you were asking. Revan was betrayed when Malak opened fire on his ship in order to usurp the title of Dark Lord."
"So what exactly happened to Revan?" Mission expressed her own curiosity.
"Our mission was to capture Revan alive if possible. And that we did," Bastila said. "After we managed to escape from the doomed command ship, we took Revan back with us so that he could face the judgment of the Jedi Council."
"And what was their judgment?" Kael asked, looking her in the eye.
"He was…," Bastila looked back and murmured at Kael, seemingly disturbed on the inside as she tried to put it the best way she could. "He was terminated."
A moment of silence ensued, during which no-one spoke. Then, seeking further answers, Carth spoke to Bastila.
"Do you know of any other survivors from the battle who may have made it to Taris?" he asked.
"No," Bastila shook her head regretfully. "Dead, every last one of them. Several Jedi died…all to protect me." She mournfully looked down, frustrated that her gift caused so many people to needlessly suffer and die. "But now, I must make it up to them for their sacrifice. I will assume leadership from now on and protect you all, of this I assure you."
"That is not possible," Kael disagreed, much to Bastila's unpleasant shock.
"What?" Bastila shot back with a glare. "I am your commanding officer, and am now back in charge of this mission. You will do as you are told!"
"Kael's right," Carth admitted. "Considering what happened to Elena when she decided to take matters into her own hands, we need to work together. Let's face it, Bastila: the four of us – you, me, Kael and Elena – are effectively stranded here on a planet none of us have ever been to. If we're going to make it through and escape this planet alive, then we need all the help we can get from Mission, Zaalbar and Ice."
As the significance of Carth's words began to sink into her mind, Bastila couldn't help but admit to herself that she was in no capacity to make centralized decisions for the group.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Carth," she sighed. "You must forgive me. Even though I am a Jedi, I can sometimes be affected by…my pride."
"Kael, that goes for you especially," Carth warned to the surprise of his lower-ranking soldier.
"What?" Kael asked.
"Your recklessness almost got us killed numerous times already. First you almost cost us our lives during that unnecessary clash with the Exchange, and you've put us through absolute hell after attracting the attention of the rakghouls in the sewers. I'll be damned if I let you endanger anyone else's life from now on."
"And just what was I supposed to do, then?" Kael argued. "Just sit back and do nothing?"
"We're a team, Deren. I suggest you start acting accordingly," Carth glared, then looked forward to signify that the conversation was over.
Bastila then remembered that she still hadn't made a proper acquaintance with the members of the Hidden Bek gang. "Mission, Zaalbar and Ice, is it?" she said, looking at them while trying to memorize their names.
"You got it, gal," Mission smiled back at her, then introduced the two of them. "This is my buddy Zaalbar, and this is Ice."
"Charmed," Ice rolled her eyes, her strong accent at once reminding Bastila of her homeworld of Talravin. "Look, we'll have plenty of time for petty chit-chat once we arrive at the Bek base. For now, can we all keep our voices down and weapons ready? I'm not in the mood to be dragged away and killed by the Grey Hands."
Bastila winced. "The Grey Hands?"
"A rival gang of ours. Filled with murderers and cutthroats who strike from the dark," Ice explained in grim fashion. "Now come on – the Bek base is just past this corridor."
As Ice expected, the dim and flickering lights in front of the Bek base proved her right. The female bouncer stood dutifully on watch duty, upright and resolute with her back against the wall. Not a single soul could be seen around, enabling Ice to relax and allay her fears of a surprise attack by the Grey Hands or a revenge assault by the Vulkars.
"Tera!" she called out to the guard, who gave no indication of acknowledgement or willingness to communicate back to her, merely looking forward and remaining still with her arms by her sides.
"What's the matter with her? Why's she not replying?" Bastila inquired.
"She must be pissed off with something," Mission chuckled from behind her. "She gets like this if she's upset at times."
"Tera, for fuck's sake, look at me – it's Ice!" the older woman muttered in frustration.
But even though they approached closer, Tera still did not move.
"What a whiny and stubborn little bitch," Ice laughed and walked right up to her friend. "Alright, Tera, cut it out. I've brought along—"
She froze.
She looked down at Tera's body.
A vibroblade pierced through her stomach and into the wall…
Her shoulders similarly pinned in place against the wall by two more vibroblades…
Lifeless eyes looking back at her…
"Oh no…," Ice gasped and froze in shock, as did the other horrified onlookers.
"Gadon…Zaerdra," Mission murmured behind her. Then, without a single word of warning, the young teenager rushed in through the open door of the base, screaming the name of her guardian. "Zaerdra!"
"Mission, wait!" Carth cried, chasing after her the same way he did when they first discovered the ruined outcast camp in the Undercity. And just as she witnessed the terrible aftermath of the loss of the outcast village, Mission froze in horror the instant she looked upon the remnants of the bloodied massacre that ensued within the Bek base.
Everywhere she looked was blood and carnage, without a living being in sight. Dead bodies littered the floor, the victims of the battle being both Bek and those of a grey-colored uniform which she immediately recognized and resented.
And lying meters away were none other than Gadon and Zaerdra, silent and unmoving on the cold metal floor. Blood seeped from the back of Zaerdra's armor, which was riddled with blaster marks.
Mission collapsed onto her knees and started sobbing after she came before the body of her long-time guardian. She tightly grasped the loose hand of the woman who, though often strict and cold towards her, was the closest thing to a mother and carer she had after she came to Taris with her brother.
But then, to Mission's surprise, Zaerdra weakly squeezed her hand back, signalling that her life was not yet lost.
"Mi…ssion," the Hidden Beks' second-in-command hoarsely spoke, the life in her gaze quickly starting to fade as she struggled to open her eyelids.
"Zaerdra! You're alive!" Mission expressed her relief. "What happened here?"
"Grey Hands…broke in…Took us by surprise," Zaerdra coughed. "Tried to retreat…overwhelmed…sheer numbers…"
"Just hold on," Mission insisted. "You're going to be fine. We're going to find and open up a life support pack somewhere in the base, and then we'll—"
"Mission…," Ice sighed, holding her youngster firmly by the arm. "It's too late."
"But it isn't!" Mission shouted, holding her hands over her face. "It can't…"
"Mission…Ice…listen to me," Zaerdra said, and both her fellow Beks now knelt by her side. She first spoke to Mission, struggling for breath as she spoke. "Mission, despite all the troubles you may have caused me in the past, and…no matter how many times I may have treated you harshly, I want you to know…that you're like a daughter to me. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to continue to protect you…"
"Zaerdra," Ice said regretfully. "Your cousin. She's dead. I'm sorry – I had no choice."
"We all have our choices to make, Ice," Zaerdra looked at her. "I want you to promise me just one thing – take care of Mission for me. You can do that…can't you?"
"I will," Ice swore, grasping Zaerdra's hand along with Mission's. "I will protect her with my life – I assure you of that."
Zaerdra smiled. "Good. Now get out of here before those Grey Hands return, and…and…"
"Zaerdra? Zaerdra?!" Mission cried, shaking the body which went limp in her arms. Realizing that her guardian's life was lost, she broke down emotionally, her tears wetting Zaerdra's brow.
"Mission, it's time to go," Ice declared, emanating an apparent lack of empathy with her words, although in truth she was even more devastated than Mission after witnessing the death of her best friend.
"But…I don't want to…," Mission whispered, cradling Zaerdra's body in her arms. After being reluctantly pulled away by the woman who represented all the family she had left in the world, she joined the others in somberly leaving the Bek base to find a safe exit through which to enter the Upper City.
-o-
The eyes of the Dark Lord narrowed in disdain at the sight of the planet that tried his patience with every second of its continued existence. Not a single shred of remorse or pity could ever be found in the heart of the man who, so consumed by his lust for power and sheer hatred for all who opposed him, was readily willing to pass sentence on the lives of billions of people in pursuit of his own selfish and tyrannical designs. Even the minions still scouring the surface of the planet were nothing but dispensable tools – mere pawns on the chess board to be sacrificed at whim.
And even now, having accomplished all that he had done and seized the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, Malak was forever tormented by the voice of his former master which still tormented him without end. Revan's legacy and accomplishments as a master tactician was known far and wide across the entire galaxy, and even Malak himself knew that he could never hope to surpass Revan in such fields.
But despite gaining immeasurable power that the self-constraining Revan could only dream of, a bottomless empty pit in his heart perpetually ate away at Malak's will. Memories of the woman he so desired and the man who stole her from him were forever etched in his conscience, leaving a pain that could never abate.
Before the war was done, Zayne Carrick would be dead, and Jarael in her right place in his arms.
And did he care in the slightest that he was now about to destroy the homeworld of the very woman whom he loved? Did he care that doing so would break her heart and soul?
Never. It did not matter, as she would soon be his, whether she wished to be or not.
"Lord Malak," a voice came from behind him, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.
The Dark Lord turned, glaring furiously at the one who broke his line of thoughts with his insolence. While he would have immediately begun to rebuke the speaker if it was the Admiral, his stare was a slightly more accommodating one after seeing that it was the dependable Vice-Admiral Krieg who addressed him.
"What is it, Vice-Admiral?" he hissed.
"The bombardment of Taris is set to commence in approximately 13 hours, with fleets 42 and 27 en route to our position," the sharply dressed officer informed him. "Meanwhile, Rear-Admiral Bane has just sent in a report stating that he has decimated the Republic fleet which was tasked with the defense of the Gornu System. His fleet lies ready to proceed to lay waste to the heavily fortified planet of Gen'thor."
"That planet means nothing to me," Malak said. "Consider its fate written, as it shall be for Taris."
"Yes, milord," Krieg saluted and walked away to tend to his duties, his confident and peerlessly professional demeanor earning him a disdainful stare from Admiral Karath who was occupied tending to the soldiers who manned the communications and navigation computers.
The Dark Lord turned once more to face the doomed planet which's destiny and once golden future would soon be reduced to ashes and rubble. A single tear was unseen by all others as it escaped his eyelid. He looked out into the stars, his thoughts being of one thing only.
Jarael…forgive me…
-o-
Safe at last after returning to the hideout in the Upper City significantly past midnight, the exhausted party laid down their weapons and relished in the comfort of the apartment's living room sofas. Denied the relief that the now-massacred Hidden Beks could no longer afford them, they were forced to further wander the dangerous streets of the Lower City, taking a passageway which led to a sewer lid which enabled them to make the ascent to the upper levels of Taris. With the Upper City virtually empty as a result of the night curfew imposed by the Sith, they managed to pass by without any trouble, with the exception of having to deal with one unwary Sith guard whose life was cut short by Ice's dagger before he could alert his patrol.
Looking over at Mission and Ice who sat on the sofa opposite her, Bastila spoke. "Is she alright, Ice?"
"Does she look alright to you?" Ice bluntly said, rubbing the arm of the young girl who was crying into her shoulder. "The girl's just lost someone in her life who was like a mother to her, and I've lost a dear friend. Only time can fix such sorrows."
"So many tragic things have happened, and it's all because of me," Elena buried her face in her hands. "I've caused so much suffering because of my recklessness. If I had only waited, then the Vulkars wouldn't have been on such high alert, and your friend Ada might even be alive right now…"
"Don't feel that way, Elena," Kael comforted her with a warm hand on her back. "There's only so much that individuals can do to affect the events around them."
Hearing such words only evoked Bastila to feel the guilt building inside her. She remembered being paralyzed with anxiety during the battle that ended with the destruction of the Endar Spire. Overcome by fear and doubt after seeing the massive Sith fleet which lurched towards the single Republic capitol ship, she instantly lost all hope for victory, the result of which the Republic soldiers whose minds were driven and affected by her link with them through her Battle Meditation were thrown into disarray, costing more lives than she could possibly imagine.
"Bastila, are you alright?" Carth asked, noticing the Jedi Knight shifting her hands nervously about.
"Hm? Oh, nothing," she answered. "Despite all the horrors that had befallen us, I am glad that we are finally safe, at least for a temporary period of time. But I am still curious – just how do you intend to get us off this planet?"
"I'm afraid you're not going to like this, Bastila, but hear me out on this one," Kael said, drawing her attention. "We ran into a Mandalorian in the Lower City cantina. His name is Canderous Ordo, and he says he has a way to get us off this planet by stealing a ship known as the Ebon Hawk from Davik Kang, the leader of the Exchange division here on Taris. He wants us to take a T3-M4 droid from the local droid dealer, Janice Nall, and speak with a Duros who's supposedly going to be waiting for us at the shop."
"And how exactly is taking a droid going to help us get off this planet?" Bastila said, unimpressed. "And you actually trust the word of a Mandalorian?"
"What other choice do we have?" Kael shrugged.
Ice stated further. "If that Canderous is serious about escaping with us off this planet, then chances are that we're going to have to personally go to where Davik keeps that ship of his. And if we do, then who's going to go along? After all, we can't all go together, otherwise that'll only serve to raise eyebrows."
"Canderous will expect to see me, so I'll most definitely have to go," Kael said. "But what about the rest of you?"
"It is best to make myself scarce and remain here," Bastila said. "After all, with the entire Sith armada looking for me, it is highly likely that their lackeys in the Exchange will be doing the same."
"Well, then what about the rest of us?" Carth asked.
"It's best that you stay behind," Ice said, much to Carth's dismay. "It's Kael that Davik will be after. As far as I'm aware, the Exchange are highly picky when it comes to choosing prospective new members. If you're not invited, then you don't show up – simply as that. But with that considered, Elena and I should well and truly be able to tag along. If what I hear is right, then Davik is always in the mood for more female personal slaves. He'll take it hook, line and sinker."
Kael turned to Ice. "It may not involve fighting through swarms of rakghouls in the dark, but the road ahead is undoubtedly going to be dangerous. You, Mission and Zaalbar have no attachment to this undertaking, and will only endanger your own lives if you come along. The three of you deserve to live peaceful lives after witnessing what happened today. Why don't you just leave?"
Ice coldly replied. "I can't. I've got personal business with the Exchange I need to take care of."
Carth argued. "But you're putting Mission and Zaalbar's lives in danger by—"
"I said I'm dealing with the Exchange. That's final."
After coming to the conclusion that Ice could not be swayed otherwise, Elena volunteered. "Bastila's face may be recognizable to the Sith and Exchange, but mine will not. I'll come along." She looked at Kael. "I owe it to protect you if the situation turns dire, after what you did for me."
Zaalbar grunted out, feeling neglected.
Ice quickly rebuked him. "No. You may be able to pass as a captured pet, but you'll become more trouble than it's worth. We need stealth, not brawl for this one."
"I'm coming as well," Mission announced, finally being able to stop her weeping. "I could help Ice and Elena and—"
"No," Ice coldly cut her off. "You're not coming, and that's that. I promised Zaerdra I'd protect you, and I intend to keep that promise."
"Fucking hell, Ice, I don't need you to keep on babysitting me!" Mission snapped, much to Ice's surprise. "You know just what I'm capable of, so why don't you let me show you what I can do? And just what 'personal business' do you have with the Exchange anyway?"
The anger began to build inside Ice as she recalled the days of her past. The days which she wished she could force herself to forget.
"I sense much anger and resentment in you, Ice," Elena said calmly. "I trust you, but I can't help but feel anxiety and believe that one day, that anger might very well lead us to disaster if we are not careful. You must tell us about it now."
Ice sighed, and a long silence ensued, during which no-one spoke. After seeing that all eyes and ears were on her, and that all her companions wished to hear the reason behind her seemingly murderous desire for revenge upon the Exchange, she obliged them.
"My father died of illness when I was just seven years old. We once lived comfortably on Alderaan, but my mother was forced to make a move to Taris following our father's death, to live with my aunt and uncle. Even then, she struggled to make ends meet and support me and my younger brother and sister, who were aged four and two at the time.
"After our uncle and aunt both died in a terrible traffic accident, we were desperate. My mother couldn't find work no matter how hard she looked, and we were on the verge of losing everything and being beggars on the street. She later came across a man named Gavin Tano, a handsome young man of dark hair and eyes who styled himself as a loan dealer. He quickly befriended her and made her a loan offer which she simply couldn't refuse. She signed a contract without even reading it, not knowing that it was a contract offered by none other than the Exchange.
"As weeks and months progressed, my mother was finally able to find work that would allow her to support us as well as pay off her debts. But then, Tano began to make more and more advances. He became infatuated with my mother to the point of obsession. Every time she refused his advances, he would try and try again to no avail. It lasted for over eight months, and then…he snapped.
"One night, drunken and in a fit of rage, he burst into our apartment, demanding and yelling at our mother to show herself to him. My siblings and I dared not move from our bedrooms, terrified by his booming voice. The moment he saw our mother cowering in the living room, he ran like a rabid animal at her and pounced. He decried her over and over again, screaming that she had betrayed and rejected him. We could hear our mother's cries of pain and gasps for breath for a few minutes, and then…everything went silent.
"I was petrified and immediately hid under my bed as I heard his heavy footsteps approach our bedrooms. He came into our bedrooms one by one and snatched my brother and sister. I thought I would lose my mind as I heard him approach my room, but I was saved by the loud blaring of sirens in the distance. He immediately rushed to escape the scene, leaving me all alone and shaking under my bed.
"When I came out, Tano was nowhere to be seen, and for that I was glad. But I knew that my siblings were gone, and it filled me with regret, fear and shame that you can never imagine. Still, nothing drove more fear in my heart than what I saw next.
"I saw the lifeless corpse of my mother strewn across the living room couch, her clothes ripped to shreds and exposing her naked body, her neck ridden with bruises, and her eyes still wide open, expressing the sheer terror that engulfed her in the final moments of her life. He had raped and strangled her to death, and the family I ever knew and loved was forever gone.
"And so now you know the reason behind my hatred for the Exchange, do you not? This is why I must go, and will not rest until I have gained satisfaction."
The rest of the party remained silent, realizing the unfathomable pain that Ice must have experienced over the years.
And none understood her pain more than Carth. "I know what you're feeling, Ice, and believe me, I feel the same way."
Ice looked at him, feeling grateful that at least there was somebody who truly knew how she felt. "You do?"
"My entire family was lost when Saul Karath ordered the destruction of my home planet, Telos. He did it to prove his loyalty to Malak and Revan. We were too late to stop the bombardment. I…I still remember holding my wife who died in my arms. I had a son named Dustil, but I have no idea what happened to him. I never saw him again."
Mission looked at the Bek and Republic soldier who shared a common bond in which their lives were destroyed by forces beyond their control. Realizing that she was not alone in being subjected to unimaginable personal loss, she immediately came to understand why the two of them cared for her as much as they did.
"I…I get it now," she said. "The two of you are so protective of me because…you don't want me to suffer the same fate as your families."
Ice nodded. "Yes, Mission. So please, try to understand our feelings when we say that we don't want you to put yourself in such danger."
But still, Mission remained defiant. "I know you just want to protect me, but we can't keep this up forever. Sooner or later, we're all going to be in a tight spot in which we not only have to protect each other, but ourselves. And what's going to happen to me if I don't know what to do after being babysat all the time?"
Admitting that there was truth behind Mission's words, Ice relented. "Alright, Mission, you can come. But please, stay close to me, okay?"
Mission smiled. "Right."
"Then it is settled," Elena said. "We will leave for Janice Nall's shop in the morning. But for now, we should get some rest."
"Agreed," Kael nodded. "And Elena?"
"Yes?"
"You must still be sore and wounded from your torture at the hands of the Vulkars. Why don't I use what's left of our medpac in this apartment and dress your wounds? It's the least I could do for you after you tended to me while I was unconscious following our crash landing on Taris."
Elena blushed a little as she smiled. "That's very generous of you, Kael, but I will be fine. All I need is a good night's rest."
"Sheesh, get a room, you two," Mission groaned. "Well, me and Zaalbar'll be set for the night on the sofas. The rest of you can do as you want."
After bidding the others a good night, Kael and Carth moved to occupy the two single beds in the western bedroom, leaving Bastila and Elena to share the ones which were in the eastern bedroom. Observing that Ice walked over to the window to observe the glittering lights of Taris's streets, Mission questioned her.
"Ice, aren't you going to sleep?" she asked.
"In a moment, Mission," Ice replied, gazing out into the distance. "I…just need some time to myself."
"Whatever you say," Mission murmured, feeling a great deal of concern for her friend and guardian before tiredness and fatigue overtook her.
In the eastern bedroom, Elena sat dejectedly on the mattress, her tears falling onto her knees as Bastila sought to comfort her as she did before with tender and reassuring hands upon the older Jedi's shoulders.
"I cannot believe that I have seen him again," Bastila said. "It fills my heart with fear to think of the potential ramifications this may lead to. It takes every fiber of my being to force myself to refrain from telling him the entire truth. But even so, I cannot begin to imagine the weight of the burden that lies on your conscience as opposed to mine, considering your past with him."
"I don't know if I can do this, Bastila," Elena wept. "Every day I spent at his side is torturous, and every time I turn to take a look upon his face fills me with sorrow, to the extent where I sometimes wish he had let me die instead aboard the Endar Spire…"
"Judging from the way he cares for your safety, his heart and feelings for you have not changed the slightest – of this, we both know," Bastila said, hoping to instill at least a sliver of optimism within her. "Only time will tell what the Force has in store for us. And perhaps, even he will be brought to witness the truth when the time is right."
"I don't know," Elena sighed, grasping at the precious wooden pendent which lay around her neck. "Perhaps he never will."
A/N: I was extremely tempted to eventually start a new story with Ice as the main character so that I can go deeper with her personal story, but I'm sort of deciding against it at this point, since she's an extremely minor character in the game and won't be that popular at all among readers. I'm also considering planning a prequel of sorts to my other KOTOR story "Heart of a Padawan", and I'm confident that I can eventually go ahead with that in due time.
You can be sure that I'll put in a lot of new material and detail exploring Ice's past, and her ongoing vendetta against the Exchange. I can tell you now that I'm going to add a new location/planet that is not visited at all in the original KOTOR game as part of her sub-story, so keep an eye out for future updates.
I was not planning on writing about it at first, but at the last minute I recalled reading Jarael's wookiepedia page and took an interest in her past relationship with Malak. I'm not sure about giving her and Zayne Carrick a role in this story for fear it may lead to "overcrowding" in terms of main characters, but I'll experiment with it and see how it turns out. I definitely want to add more dimensions to Malak's personality than the bland power-hungry villain most know him to be simply from playing the game and not reading into the wider lore.
For those of you who are unaware, please be informed that Heart of a Padawan's opening chapter has been completely re-written and replaced. It's so much better now in my opinion, so please R&R that story as well.