Chapter 12: Dates and Duels
Zaedra drove Calak and Bastila to the platform where the apartment Calak and his friends had been hiding in was located. As they did so, Calak watched the city around them. He glanced at Bastila once or twice, then she caught him glancing and their eyes met.
Suddenly it felt as though something came creeping in from the depths of Calak's mind. Something that he'd seen before, in a dream. The Jedi woman with the yellow lightsaber fighting the Dark Jedi with the red blade. That had slipped Calak's mind until now, but now that he saw it again, he saw the Jedi woman was none other than Bastila herself.
She struck at the Dark Jedi she was fighting and cut him down. Then two more Jedi were by her side as a Republic Officer ahead of her felt to the ground dead, clutching his throat as though he were being choked by an invisible hand. Ahead of Bastila, a masked man in a dark robe held a red lightsaber at ready. A fourth Jedi entered the room which was unmistakably the bridge of a warship. The Sith Lord before them was no outnumbered four to one.
"You cannot win Revan!" Bastila said to the Dark Lord and pointing a finger at him.
The Sith Lord twirled his blade and brought it close to his shoulder, pointing it at his opponents. The four Jedi stepped forward, ready to face the great evil. But then an explosion sounded and Revan and the Jedi collapsed before their battle could ensue. Revan lay there as Bastila, the only one of her group that had avoided being knocked out or killed, crawled to his side.
Calak's mind returned to the speeder ride among the immense Skyscrapers of Taris. Then they touched down at the platform where Calak's apartment was.
"Thank you Calak," Zaedra said. "You did us proud. You may not be a Hidden Bek but you did so nonetheless. Brejik is dead and this war with the Vulkars should be over soon."
Calak nodded as he and Bastila emerged from the speed which soon took of and vanished as it flew to the lower levels.
Calak and Bastila only had to walk a few paces to the door of the complex. There weren't any Sith Patrols nearby so they could make their way inside without being seen. Though Calak wondered if the Sith even knew Bastila's face. They had been looking for her in the Undercity last he heard and to the best of his knowledge had not found evidence that she'd been caught by the Vulkars. If they'd known that they would have likely stormed the race.
They entered the apartment. Mission had recovered from her wounds thanks to a bit of help from Zelka in a kolto tank. She'd just needed some rest after that. She, Carth, and Zalbaar all looked up as Calak lead Bastila inside.
"Bastila! You're alive!" Carth exclaimed. "Finally things are looking up! Now we just need to figure out a way to get off this planet!"
Bastila frowned. "You mean you don't have a plan to get off Taris yet? What have you been doing all this time?"
"We were looking for you remember?" Calak said.
"I see," Bastila sighed. "Well now that I'm back in charge of this mission things should be back on the right track."
Carth's joy was lost. "I know you're new at this Bastila but a leader doesn't berate her troops when things don't go according to plan!"
"That hardly strikes as a way to address your commanding officer, Carth!" Bastila said growing angry. "I am a Jedi, and I have power of Battle Meditation. It has won countless battles!"
"Your talents may give us a few victories but that doesn't make you a leader!" Carth shot back.
"Enough! Both of you!" Calak said, trying to defuse the situation. "Bastila, Carth is right you are not showing much leadership here."
Bastila looked at him in surprise. Then Mission stepped forward.
"I'm with Calak, I may not be a soldier like him or Carth but I agree. You shouldn't berate your troops just cause they haven't come up with a plan yet. They had to find you first."
"Arr!" Zalbaar agreed.
Bastila sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry. Its true that I don't have much military experience. Very well Carth what do you suggest?"
"First off we can't get held up over who's in charge," Carth said. "We have to work together right now if we want to make it off this planet."
"Well said Carth," Bastila agreed before turning to Mission and Zalbaar. "And who are you two?"
"I'm Mission Vao and this is Zalbaar," Mission said. "Calak helped save Zalbaar so he feels he owes him a life debt. Now we're gonna help him… and you… face the Sith."
"I suppose we'll need all the help we can get," Bastila said. "Do you know any way we can get off Taris?"
Mission thought for a moment. "Well, there is a rumor going on that the crimelord Davak has a ship that's really fast. But it's probably locked in his estate. I doubt we'll ever be able to get in there and steal it. Besides we need special Sith codes to get off, then we'd need a ship of some kind."
"Well, we'll have to see what we can find and hope to be lucky," Carth said.
"There is no such thing as luck," Bastila said. "Only the force."
Calak yawned. "Well, it's been a long day, I need some dinner and rest."
"Very well, you've earned it," Bastila said.
"After returning with Bastila, I agree," Carth said. "You did good soldier."
Calak nodded and gave another look at Bastila.
She noticed this. "Is something wrong? She asked.
"When we were in the speeder coming here, I felt as if I saw a vision of some kind," he told her.
"A vision… of what?" she asked.
"You… fighting a Dark Jedi. Revan, I guess," Calak said.
"Hmm. That's strange. People who are force sensitive are known to have experienced visions, but usually it takes Jedi Training to do so," Bastila said.
"Force Sensitive?" Calak asked. "You're saying I can use the force? Like you Jedi?"
"I always thought there as something different about you!" Carth said. "You seemed to sometimes move in like you know what's gonna happen before it actually does. You saved my life with that."
"Its true, I can sense the force in you. Its strong," Bastila said. "I don't think I've recalled feeling someone of your strength in the force since… since I fought Revan."
Calak shivered. He had a level of power that was at the Dark Lord's level? How was that possible?
"I'm not sure I want to know anymore," Calak said nervously.
"I'm sorry, I've overstepped my authority," Bastila said. "Its not my place to tell you these things. But… with your level of power you could be a great Jedi, if you had been found as a young one."
The Jedi didn't typically take trainees that were adults, usually training their Padawans from infanthood. Some considered them baby snatchers for that. Calak thought back to his life on Deralia though, how his parents had been killed when he was young and he'd had to become a soldier to survive in the world that was a good deal of jungle.
Calak sighed. The days events were catching up to him, he'd been racing, waiting, and fighting. He needed some rest. He hadn't gotten a good deal last night in the Bek Base and it was catching up to him. He fell asleep on his bed and took a quick nap. A couple hours later he awoke to a knock on the door.
Carth walked to it and opened to see who was outside. Calak raised his head.
"Is Calak there?" a familiar voice asked.
It was Dia. She stood in the doorway.
"Dia?" Calak asked as he got up.
"Oh, were you sleeping?" she asked.
"Yeah, just needed a nap. You wouldn't believe what I went through," Calak said walking up to her.
"Who is this?" Bastila asked suspiciously.
"A friend," Calak said with a blush as he recalled Dia kissing him on the cheek. "So what brings you here Dia?"
"Well, I saw you on the holonet. You won the big swoop race!" Dia said.
"Oh, yeah," Calak said.
"That's amazing! You're amazing!" Dia said. "You could probably find a better apartment now if you wanted. Not that there is anything wrong with aliens."
"Yeah, we're not all bad looking!" Mission said.
"No, and I don't view you as inferiors," Dia said. "I see you've made some new friends, Calak, Carth."
Calak nodded.
"And I was wondering if maybe you would like to… go out? Have dinner?" Dia asked.
Calak grinned. "I'd love to! Haven't had a good meal in days!"
"Then I'm buying!" Dia said. "Consider it a favor for saving my life!"
Calak looked back at everyone else. "I suppose I'll see you guys later."
"You got it," Carth said.
"Very well," Bastila said, her face scrunched up.
"Something wrong Bastila?" Calak asked.
"No," she said in a poorly controlled tone. "Enjoy your night out soldier."
"Okay," Calak said.
"I'm pretty hungry myself," Mission said.
"Arrr!" Zalbaar agreed.
"Guess we could go and get something to eat ourselves," Carth said. "But you can enjoy your date Calak."
They all headed out. Bastila stepped out of the apartment nervously and scanned the streets for Sith nearby. There were some patrolling the platform, but they were a good distance out.
"While we are out in the streets call me something else besides my real name," Bastila said. "I doubt the Sith recognize me by face. Though with how much Malak wants me he'll likely be looking for anyone who might be able to give him that description."
"Alright, whatever you say… Miss… Zaedra," Carth said the first name that came to his mind.
Mission giggled. "Zaedra probably wouldn't like someone else using her name. But she won't hear it from me."
They all headed to the cantina. Bastila hesitated as she saw the Sith guard standing righ outside.
"Well, go on in civilian," the Sith said.
She did so.
…
Darth Malak raised his hand at the man in front of him. He was in the military base closest to where the escape pods had crashed said
"Why have you not found Bastila yet?" he roared.
"My lord… its not easy to… find someone… without a description. We need images…" the Sith Governor in charge of the base said. "We've sent hundreds of troops down to the Undercity looking for her but none of them have succeeded."
Malak growled. He then felt something that caused him to release the governor.
"I sense a disturbance in the force. A presence. I have not felt it since… no it can't be. He is dead. I killed him myself!"
"What do you mean Lord Malak?" the Governor asked.
"This is likely, Bastila's presence," Malak said, ignoring the question. "She was there on Revan's flagship when I killed him. That must be what I am sensing. She is somewhere around here. Perhaps on one of the nearby platforms, or this very platform."
He paused for a moment then looked at the governor.
"Be on the lookout for anyone with a lightsaber that is not dressed in our robes," he said. "Find her… if I do not see her within two more days… I will take matters into my own hands!"
"Y-yes Lord Malak, I will not fail you master." The governor said. "I will do whatever it takes to earn my lightsaber."
"You had best do that… or I will take your life."
Malak made his way out of the military base to return to his ship orbiting the planet. This left the Sith Governor to gulp as he pondered his next course of action.
…
Calak had a good time with Dia as they talked.
"This cantina is nice, and almost as busy as Javyars where I work!" Dia said.
"Oh I didn't know you worked there," Calak said.
"I'm a waitress, though I had to take a leave of absence after the incident with Holdan," Dia said. "They were relieved when I was able to come back. Some of them had been left high and dry filling in the tables I usually waited."
"I see," Calak said.
"So, did you ever find what you were looking for?" Dia asked.
"Yeah, we rescued Bastila from the Vulkars at the race. Or I guess… I did… since Carth and the others weren't there. I did have some help from the Beks though."
"That's good," Dia said. "So Bastila is who you were looking for?"
"Yeah, she's a Jedi," Calak said.
"Really?" Dia said surprised.
"Hey!" Carth said as he walked over from the nearby table and put a hand on Calak's shoulder. "Did you have a little too much to drink? We said we'd call her Zaedra while we were out in public!"
"Oh sorry," Calak said.
Carth sighed. "Lets hope no Sith heard that."
Calak ate a fair share of his food and then an idea occurred to him as he thought back to the Dueling Ring.
"Have you ever watched a dueling match?" he asked Dia.
"No too often," Dia said. "I do like them though, as long as no one dies. Thank goodness they banned the death matches."
"Well, I happen to be a duelist here and I was thinking of challenging Marl to a rematch."
She smiled. "If you want to."
Calak got a to go container for his food then headed to the Duelist Lounge.
"Ah! Mysterious Stranger! You've returned!" Ajurr the Hutt said. "I was beginning to wonder if you were coming back alive. Then I saw you on the Holonet as the winner of the Swoop Race! You've become even more famous without being here!"
"Yeah," Calak said.
"Well, you better be here for a duel so I can make some money!" Ajurr said.
"That's… what I'm here for," Calak said. "To make a bit of money for myself I mean."
"Yes! Of course," Ajurr said. "You shall have a rematch with Marl!"
Calak smiled. He then looked down at his belt, or rather… Brejik's belt. It and the armband which Calak now wore as well, were able to project energy fields around a person that would lessen the damage of melee attacks. Of course, the Dueling Ring had similar fields that prevented death blows, but with this, Calak might just be guaranteed victory.
He made his way into the ring thinking, did he want to use it? A part of him did, but the other part wanted to keep this fight fair, he already had a suit of better quality armor on then the rest of the duelists. Now he had a pair of things that could provide a solid barrier against physical attacks. Calak didn't want to take the easy path to victory. He deactivated the energy shield on the belt as he entered the ring.
"Welcome fokls to the Dueling Ring! We have a special rematch tonight! First up our long time Vet with the double blade, Marl! And his opponent out for a rematch, the Mysterious Stranger! Though he's not as much of a stranger anymore, since he is the winner of the Swoop Race that took place earlier today! He is definitely a rising star!"
Ironic Star was actually Calak's last name. Did the announcer know that? Maybe.
"Begin!"
Calak and Marl charged at each other. Marl used his double blade like before, and Calak had his vibroblade. Their two weapons locked, and Marl swung his second blade which Calak stepped away from. Remembering their last duel, Calak recalled that Marl was slower since his weapon was heavier.
He focused on speed, sending a flurry of blows out like before. Marl stepped back out of range and swung, but Calak did the same. Marl sent his heavy blows with both blades out, but Calak managed to block two, then struck as Marl swung a third. He overpowered the older man and sent his blade off while the other caught its wielder on the arm. Marl's armor protected him but this nonetheless gave Calak the opening he needed. He thrusted, piercing Marl's armor in the stomach. The Veteran duelist gasped and fell. Immediately the medical droids were on him to stop the bleeding.
"Well what a show! Marl is done, and questions abound! It seems we have a rising Star in the Mysterious Stranger, folks!" the announcer said. "But just how high can this star rise? Twitch is waiting in the rings! We'll hopefully see them fight soon! Until next time!"
Calak waited till Marl was stabilized and woke up before leaving. The old vet limped out of the medical room, his stab wound healed by the top of the line medical droid so that he wouldn't bleed out, but he was still in pain.
"You're good Stranger, maybe even as good as Bendak in his prime," Marl said. "There's no shame in losing to you. This game has been to me. But I think its time to retire."
"What?" Calak exclaimed. "Why?"
"Its nothing personal, Stranger," Marl said. "First it was just Twitch I couldn't handle. Now its you and Twitch. My age is catching up to me. But soon enough just about anyone will be able to beat me. I can't keep this up forever. Its time to call it quits while I still have my reputation as the third best duelist of my time. I can't up like Duncan and be known as the worst old coot who was too stubborn to admit he's lost his prime. Good luck."
Calak sighed, but saw the veteran's point.
"It was a good match," Calak said. "Hope you have a nice life in retirement."
Marl nodded and limped off. Calak then went back into the main area of the cantina were his friends and Dia were gathered.
"You were amazing Calak! Marl was my favorite duelist but you beat him!" Dia said.
"Thanks Dia," Calak said.
…
They smiled at each other as Bastila watched with a pout. She felt the urge to growl or shout but remembered her Jedi training.
There is no emotion there is peace. She recited the first line of the Jedi Code in her head.
Attachment was forbidden. Why was she feeling this way about Calak? She'd only just met him mere hours ago. Of course she knew the truth about him, but could not tell him. It might endanger her true mission, the one she would undertake with him once they got off this planet. Bastila had to watch as Calak and Dia lead them back to the apartment.
"I had fun tonight Dia," Calak said.
"So did I," Dia said. "But I suppose you'll be leaving once the blockade ends."
"Probably before it if we can help it," Calak said.
"You get into a lot of trouble don't you?" Dia asked. "Well if you convinced Holdan to leave me alone and braved the perils of the Undercity you can probably do just about anything. I may never see you again but I'll always be grateful for your help."
She gave Calak one last kiss and made her way to a parked airspeeder nearby. Bastila frowned after her briefly as their main group went back to their hideout. They stripped down to their undertunics, except for Zalbaar, and climbed on what beds they had while the others got on the chairs or couch. Tomorrow they'd try to find a way to get off this planet.
…
The Sith Governor in charge of the military base looked at the prisoner they'd held captive for a few days now.
"What happened to the trooper and droids we found you moving?" he demanded.
"I'll never tell you, Sith Scum!" the Duros said.
The Governor pressed a button and the Duros was shocked by the built in electrocuters. The Governor was not yet proficient in the dark side enough to use Force Lightning, he didn't even have his lightsaber yet, as he'd been trained primarily to oversee rather then fight. But if he could find a worthy foe his master would reward him with his lightsaber. Of course, he had to masters, the one that taught him the ways of the dark side, and his ultimate master in Darth Malak.
"We'll find out, one way or another," the Governor said. "Ill send another patrol down to those apartments and see what I can find. Perhaps it is where Bastila is hiding?"
Its is kind of strange that the Sith never recognized Bastila even when she is in your party on Taris. But the Dark Jedi who held datapads showing detailed descriptions of both Calak (or Player Character) and Bastila didn't start coming till after Dantooine. But I thought it might add some more tension in there to have the Sith come looking for them.