Chapter 57
A little bit of Revolution
The cage creaked as it slowly trundled its way upward. The mood was sombre after yet another battle. The cage operator had brought down friends and on seeing Jolee in their midst had attacked. Despite being giving no option but to defend themselves it did not stop the censorious glances being thrown at them by the old man. Terri privately wondered why he seemed so insistent on accompanying them while clearly being against their methods, even Bastila the most patient among them was getting irritated and basically fed up with the constant looks and lecturing.
The current recipient of the most current disapproving glare was pointedly ignoring him. Though Terri thought the current glare would be because she servicing the weapon she had taken as a prize after the battle. One would have thought that by now he would realised that she simply paid no heed to his lectures or glares. Terri sat down next to her
"You think you will be able to handle the recoil on that?" Terri asked
"I will just have to brace a bit more than I am used to, or see what upgrades can be done once we get back to the ship." Bastila replied, reassembling the bowcaster
"It will be quite a step up from your rifle, which you only got used to recently." Terri pointed out
"Considering my old rifle is scattered components down there now I will just to adapt." Bastila shrugged, loading a power cell
The weapon gave a slight whine as it powered up. Bastila put it down next to her and pulled Terri into an embrace. Sighing Bastila put her head on Terri's shoulder and started playing with their entwined hands.
"I have to say you bring me on the strangest dates possible." Bastila said teasingly
"You know you are not the kind of girl who likes fancy dates with pretentious foods and overpriced wine by candlelight." Terri replied
"I will have you know that actually do like those" Bastila replied
"So you would rather have a fancy date than me covering you in chocolate sauce and licking it off you?" Terri responded
Bastila pondered her answer while trying to control her blush
"I will take both offers, thank you. After all variety is necessary in a relationship." Bastila loftily declared
"Being greedy?" Terri teased
"Just a bit, I don't know if I have said it recently or enough for that matter. I truly love you." Bastila said the last part softly
Terri kissed her forehead in reply and pulled Bastila closer to her
"I love you too, more than I thought possible" She responded
For the first time in days they got a glimpse of the sun as it was starting to set over the woodlands of Kashykk. The two sat in silence, just enjoying the panoramic view presented to them
The landing was quiet as they finally docked in the upper branches. With the absence of the regular attendants the torches were unlit and the area shrouded in darkness. Terri and Juhani having better vision due to their separate heritage took point. Reaching the juncture in the road between the trade station and the village, they came to a stop.
Terri turned to her companions
"I think it is best if we push through to the ship and rearm. Though if you want we can shelter for the night at the nightshelter and get to the ship in the morning." She stated
"I vote for pushing through, I have two urgent calls I need to make and the quicker the better." Melissa cast her vote
"Did your datapad synchronise yet?" Terri asked
"No I switched it off but it remains an urgent task." Melissa answered
"I agree we should return as quickly as possible." Juhani added her vote
"It would be easier to return to the village from the nightshelter you are talking about once Freyyr makes his way to the top." Jolee countered
"Both options have their pros and cons. Though I do not think Freyyr will be able to move as quickly as we did, not mentioning him having to rally his support. I vote to return to the ship." Bastila responded
"The majority vote is for the ship then, let us take a quick run then." Terri stated
Jolee was clearly out of shape and was bellowing like a blacksmiths bellows when they approached the security station. One force persuade later had the sentries convinced that they did not have to log their return nor the fact that the party had grown in size, not mentioning the lack of the identification of the last member in their group.
Making their way back to the ship they noticed that light to Eli's shop was still on. Sharing a quick look between them had Juhani taking Jolee's arm and steering him to the ship.
There was a chime as they stepped into the shop. Eli made his entrance from a room in the back. Matton had settled himself on a bedroll in the corner of the shop.
"Sorry ladies, but we are about to close for the night." Eli said smarmily
"It will only take a moment and be quite profitable to you." Bastila replied
"Profit, the golden word of opportunity. How can I help you?" Eli asked
Melissa tossed a bag at him
"We found this lying around and thought you should be the one to see this first." Melissa stated, her voice neutral
Eli ripped the bag open and pulled the droid head out
"My apologies. Ladies I do not deal in junk." He said dismissively
"But it has such a nice recording of you shooting three people on it, we thought you would like a memento." Terri stated
Elid dropped the droid head and backed to the counter. Matton took one look at the head and jumped to his feet.
"That is A3C0, the protocol droid of my ship." He said
"Surely one droid looks like another." Eli tried
"You told me my crew left without paying for the cargo they took on." Matton stated furiously.
Eli produced a blaster and waved it in their direction.
"Don't move." He screeched
"There is nowhere to go Eli. There is no ship for you to run to and Czerka will not care if Matton takes matters in his own hands." Terri stated
"Keep your hands where I can see them." Eli cried out.
Reaching under the counter he pulled out a bag and made his way to the door. The further he got the cockier he got.
"You are wrong. There is a ship for me to escape on." He gloated
He palmed the door control and stepped out
"I will see you four again and I will have my revenge." He promised
The door closed behind him and the sound of running steps started. Matton brushed his hand along a shelf scattering the products to the ground
"Fuck" He screamed out.
The three stood and watched as he swept more shelves in his anger. Finaly spent he dropped to the ground, his shoulders started shaking, his anger turning to grief and fear.
"He is gone, you are safe." Bastila said soothingly kneeling down
"But my family is not." Matton said brokenly
"Tell us, maybe we can help them." Terri offered
Matton looked up, tears streaming down his face
"This flight was the first one we had done for Sakara the Hutt, both I and the navigator was against the deal, but the captain would hear nothing against it. We both needed the money too badly to walk away." He hiccupped "Since this was the first job for her she demanded surety. Our families were "invited" to her estate pending our return. We are already two months overdue."He swallowed thickly "Eli told me he contacted Sakara and informed her I was no longer on the crew and was working of their debt."
"I am sorry to say that was yet another lie, there is an active bounty on you" Terri informed him
"That motherfucking snake." Matton's anger made a quick reappearance and fled as easily again
"Seems my talk with Sakara became much more urgent." Melissa said
Bastila and Terri placed a hand each under the mans arms and lifted him to his feet. Terri looked him straight in the eyes.
"We know Sakara, we know she likes to showcase her power, that alone means that she will not act against your families till you are there to witness it. That gives us time to reason with her. And if she proves intractable we will fly to Tattooine to free your families ourselves. Now let us move to our ship, we have more to tell you." She said calmly and clearly
Matton could only nod brokenly in acceptance. Melissa reluctantly switched her datapad on. Moments later it chimed as it synchronised. She lifted her comlink
"T3." She spoke into it
Electronic bleating returned moments later
"You are droid, time has no meaning to you, therefore it is not too late at night for you. Get to Eli's shop we have an urgent job for you."
Melissa was seated in front of the holocom unit, She had been sitting there for the last two hours waiting for her call to be connected. Finally the visage of Sakara filled her view
"Greetings to you Sakara the imperous. My apologies if my call is at an inconvenient time." Melissa greeted politely
"Your timing could have been at a better time. But it is of no matter. I believe you have news of yet another of my bounties." Sakara stated
"That I do." Melissa affirmed
"Are they alive or dead?" Sakara went straight to business
"Three are dead and one is alive on my ship." Melissa replied
"When will you deliver the survivor for my pleasure." Sakara demanded
"I am also the bearer of bad news, you have been betrayed by your agent on Kashyyk. His greed overcame his rightful fear of your wrath. I retrieved the files from both the shuttle of the freighter you contracted and his personal terminal. I am transmitting those as we speak." Melissa continued
"You are certain of your proof, I will be most displeased if your statement proves to be spurious." Sakara replied
"The crew delivered your goods as contracted, then Eli lured the crew to the shadowlands by whispering of riches in the captains ears." Melissa stated
"What would be valuable enough on that miserable excuse of a planet to risk my ire for a late return of my due." Sakara countered
"Tachs. More closely their glands, a major component in the manufacture of Tarisian Ale."
The Hutt started shaking, making a noise in what approximated a laugh for that species.
"A fools quest, the planet is glass and the formula is lost." Sakara said disparagingly
"And a fortune beyond measure for the one to synthesize it successfully." Melissa countered
Sakara looked to her left, lifting a stubby arm she motioned for someone to stop. She turned back to the screen.
"You will wait while I review the data you send."
"Of course, I eagerly await your return."
The screen blinked to black. Melissa winced as the counter continued running. There was no way she wanted to see the bill the Jedi Council will be footing for this call. Settling back in her seat she looked to where Matton was seated on a jump chair by the door.
"Now we wait." She informed him
Terri appeared at the door three hours later and gave Melissa a thumbs up, a datapad in her hand. The screen turned from black to filling with the visage of Sakara. Melissa had a wry thought that the black screen looked better by far
"Thank you for gracing me with your time." Melissa stated
"I find your honesty to be refreshing when dealing with members of your species. Normally there is so much lying and screaming in pain involved when dealing with your kind." Sakara bluntly stated
Not knowing how to respond to that Melissa kept quiet. Sakara shifted slightly
"Yet at the same time you are set to spoil my entertainment at every turn. You may release the one in your care, the bounty is rescinded. You may bring me the head of Eli's Sazer instead."
"He will be in orbit over Tatooine in six days from now. I apologise for the delay, but the shuttle he is on currently has a class one hyperdrive only." Melissa answered
Sakara seemed surprised
"We let him flee and return to the scene of his crime. The shuttle's navicomputer was erased except for one destination and no matter what destination you entered it will only go to that location. Once the engines activated the program activates. Barring him killing himself, you can discuss your displeasure with him in person. And frankly I believe him to be too cowardly to eat his blaster." Melissa explained
The Hutt started laughing again, this time Melissa heard the slavish laughter of Sakara's followers echoing the Hutt. She waited till the Hutt had finished amusing herself.
"Is there more you wish to discuss?" Sakara demanded
"The families of the freighter crew, I understand they are enjoying your gracious hospitality." Melissa answered
"They are free to go, I will have them delivered to your ship that is currently docked at Anchorhead. My men will collect my share of the ice that they are delivering to Czerka at Czerka's warehouse at that time so it will not be a complete inconvenience to me."
The screen went black and the counter stopped running. Melissa let out a deep sigh in relief now that dealing with the mercurial crime overlord has been completed. She turned to where Matton where he was seated.
"Sorry, I am going to have to ask you to step out for my next call. I believe Terri will have some things to discuss with you?" She said to him
The man nodded and stood up, stepping out he toggled the door control and the hutch slid to close. Taking another deep breath Melissa input the comlink code for her next call. The recipient was quicker to reply than her previous call
Countess Brevkin was seated behind a desk. The window behind her showed the dome of the Keldabe government building light by multi coloured lights
"Verálor Wren, a curious time to be calling." She said, placing a datapad down
"I apologise for the lateness of my call, Countess. But the matter is both time and politically sensitive." Melissa apologised
Brevkin steepled her hands and gave Melissa her full attention
"Should you not rather be discussing this with your clan head?" Brevkin asked
"In this matter someone known for her impartiality is required. More so the resources at your disposal would be required as well. At this point I suggest we move to an encrypted channel to prevent anyone listening in" Melissa answered
"You have piqued my interest. Proceed to channel five two, I believe you know the access protocols." Brevkin ordered
Melissa rapidly typed in the required channel and the screen blanked, when a prompt appeared she typed in her access code. A red light flashed and Brevkin appeared back on screen moments later
" We are secure, proceed." Brevkin stated
"As you are probably aware by now I am on Kashyyk. I encountered two Vesalik clan members in what the locals call the shadowlands. One I slew in single combat and the second commited suicide rather than be interrogated." Melissa reported
"Go on."
"My party and i also engaged with what I believe to be training cadre. Backtracking led us to their training camp. There is a structure that I believe to be the control station." Melissa continued
"Did you enter the structure?" Brevkin asked
"No I did not, I feared my skills were insufficient to do so, I did not wish to lose any intelligence the structure may contain by attempting a task beyond my skill." Melissa answered
"There is more?" Brevkin querried
Melissa typed a command on the holocom station terminal
"The training cadre was outfitted in durasteel armour, the file I am sending has the faces of the ones I could record. The second Vesalik committed suicide by biological agent and I was forced to scour the area with fire. Unfortunately it also makes identification of those with her impossible."
"Yet nothing you have said to me is something you could not address with your clan head." Brevkin pointed out
"The Vesalik's seems to be recruiting among our people. One of the people I killed was from the Deathwatch, the one I slew in close combat identified himself as Bobar Vasilik, formerly Aliit Djarin." Melissa dropped the bomb
If not for the seriousness of the topic Melissa would have enjoyed getting the normally unflappable Clan head to react in shock.
"That is why you contacted me. If your head brought this to the attention of the Clans it would be discredited as families playing politics." Brevkin said after a moment
"Elek, this is too important to get osik'la by politics. There is more, a regime change will be attempted among the local population soon. I believe that only the Ori'ramikad will be able to access the control centre. They have the skills and the experience to enter a hostile environment and deal with any surprises the Vesalik might have left behind and extract with no one the wiser." Melissa replied
"You make a convincing argument. I assume that once the investigation is complete you will want to take credit for your clan if your suspicion is proven correct." Brevkin said, musingly
"Countess, I want no credit, not for me nor for my clan, and I am fervently hoping my suspicions is false, however if I am right this is a clear and present threat to our people." Melissa said
Brevkin studied Melissa for a long few moments
"If it was any one else I would have disbelieved that statement. You however do not have the guile to play the political game, nor have you shown any interest in it." Brevkin finally stated
"Thank you, I think." Melissa replied
"When is the regime change being planned?" Brevkin asked
"A matter of days. Depending on the victor the Czerka presence here might be excised as well. Either way this planet will now be more hostile than before, much worse than the Trandoshan alliance made relations here." Melissa answered
Brevkin sat more rigidly up in her chair
"You can leave this matter in my hands from this point. The council of Clans and our people thank you for your diligence."
"Thank you for listening, Countess. I bid you goodnight."
"After this, there will be no sleeping for me tonight." The woman cracked a rare smile.
The screen went black and Melissa stood up with a sigh. She needed to go to her room and gather the datapad with her commercial information on it to see which ship was supposed to dock at Anchorhead to warn them that they were receiving passengers, not adding the fact that she needed to check with Matton on which planet he preferred to meet them on. Either way, no matter who won in the dispute his time on this planet has come to an end.
She paused at the entrance to the lounge hearing Terri still in discussion with said man
"Honestly, I have no idea what to do with the freighter we came in on. I am no pilot, just a mechanic. I would be better of selling it, but getting a pilot to fly it out of here will be problematic." He stated
"I can provide both a pilot and the credits to buy it from you." Terri replied
"The bigger question is what do you want to do with your future?" Bastila asked
"I always wanted my own machine shop working with ships, but good luck starting one up. There is no way I can afford to do that, especially since I will have to share the proceeds of the sale with the families of my crew. And no bank will supply credit to a man that had a bounty on his head however briefly it might have been, or get a steady job for that matter." Matton replied.
"Arkaxis is your answer then. They are in need of skilled workers, land is cheap relatively speaking and we can vouch for you to the governing body." Terri mentioned to him
"Dantooine is another option. Some of our crew has extensive business interests on that planet as well." Bastila added
"Dantooine might be a little bit too close to the war for my liking, with the Jedi academy being there and all." Matton replied thoughtfully
"There is no rush, consider your options in the meantime you are most welcome to stay here till the situation with the Wookies get resolved." Bastila stated
Melissa made her presence known
"I am going to check which of my company's ships are on Tattooine, and have your people moved on board. Once you decide where you want to settle they will be flown to the planet of your choice."
Matton sat back in his chair
"Not that I am not thankfull, believe me I am. But why are you doing all this for a complete stranger?" He asked
"The first step to a better galaxy is by extending a hand in help." Bastila quoted
"That is a Jedi saying." Matton replied
"Considering there are four of us and one semi on this ship, get used to hearing phrases like that." Terri replied
Matton pointed to Melissa
"I am guessing she is the semi Jedi." He said
"Mandolorian first, force sensitive second." Melissa confirmed
"What did you base your assumption on?" Bastila asked curiously
"She said she owned a business, as far as I know that is forbidden to Jedi." Matton answered
Terri stood up
"Time to get some sleep, I believe we have a long day ahead of us. The male dorm is to the right of the lounge." She said
"Stay away from the left lower bunk, that is our resident Wookies, you will be covered in hair just sitting on it." Melissa warned
"Thank you."
Matton left the room and made his way to the dorm
"Speaking of sleeping. Where is Jolee?" Melissa asked
"He racked out in the medbay after using near to half of the hot water supply we had available and putting a serious dent in our food supply." Terri answered
"Hopefully a hot shower and a change in diet will make him less cranky." Bastila offered
"I am not holding my breath for that to happen." Terri replied
Melissa yawned
"I am going to rack out as well. See you later in the morning." She said, walking to the female dorm
Bastila turned to Terri
"You said Jolee used half of the hot water supply." She said neutrally
"That I did." Terri replied
"Then I will need to shower with you, have to ration our water after all." Bastila stated blandly
"Such a frugal suggestion." Terri replied deadpan
Linking hands the two rapidly made their way to the former female dorms refresher station.
Melissa was seated against the cupola of the upper turret watching the sunrise when Juhani made her way through the top hatch. Silently the Cathar girl took a seat and turned her face to catch the first sunrays of the day. The moments passed on
"You look tired." Juhani eventually mentioned
"A bit, did not sleep much this morning. Too many things running through my mind." Melissa confirmed
"Anything I can help with?" Juhani offered
"Just wondering when Freyyr will be ready, something about being on this planet has me on edge." Melissa replied
"Could it be the lack of mechanical noise, perhaps." Juhani suggested
"Possibly, it is a bit too silent for my taste. But there is something else, I feel like the force is telling me we have to hurry, that something is going to happen and soon." Melissa said, somewhat absently
"Have you tried to meditate on that sensation?" Juhani asked.
"I suppose I should." Melissa shrugged
Juhani settled in her meditation pose and extended her hands.
"I have some free time if you wish to try." Juhani offered
Melissa settled herself and took Juhani's hands. She flashed the girl a thankful smile.
The two broke off their meditation as hands touched their shoulders. Canderous let go the moment their eyes opened.
"Come to the lounge, we are about to start the combat briefing." He said.
The trio entered the lounge and took their usual seats. Terri had just placed her comlink down on the holotable before addressing the group, Melissa could sense some unease from the ones seated there already.
"Freyyr has made contact. He and his group has set up in the nightshelter. We are allowed to send four people to join their force. However he insisted Jolee be one of the group." Terri started
"And he also said who was not welcome as well, I am assuming then." Melissa spoke up
"Yes, he insisted that you not be part. He does not want an Iron Shell there when they take the village back." Terri answered, apologetically
"That is also not everything." Carth broke in
"He gave instructions that apart from the four leaving the ship, no one else is to leave. I believe he wants to attack the trade station after the village."
"Then the rug had better be ready for heavy losses." Canderous remarked
"What do you mean?" Terri asked
"Czerka knows something is up, none of their personel have set a foot outside the buildings, the droids are patrolling and their security staff at the gate has not rotated their watch both watches are in their post." Canderous replied
"That would make leaving difficult." Bastila pointed out
"We need to unhook from the power and utilities quickly, we are sitting mynocks here while connected." Carth added
"That brings up another point, do we offer sanctuary to the non combatants in the trade station. Going over the data Mission and T3 sliced I noted that only the upper management and security division seemed to know of the Wookies being shipped off. I am not comfortable with doing nothing for the innocent" Melissa said
"The moment we make that offer we set ourselves up as a target for both sides, not mentioning giving Czerka warning that they are about to be attacked." Mission pointed out
"The Wookies will not look kindly on such a move either." Jolee cautioned
"That does not mean the innocents should suffer for the guilty, I agree with Melissa we should at least try to minimize casualties." Juhani stated firmly
"As much as this will put a target on us, I agree with Melissa and Juhani. We have a duty to protect the non combatants." Carth stated
"No matter which way this goes we will not be able to stay here any longer in any way. So if we can save some lives we should do it" Mission
Canderous stood up
"We make the offer once the attack starts, Me and the Ad will provide them with cover to get on board. If they choose to fight it is on their own heads. Once aboard we keep the shields at full and shoot at whoever shoots at us." He said.
"I can live with that." Carth shrugged
"Then it is decided, let us gear up and move out and may the Force be with us." Bastila said, standing up
Melissa held up a hand
"Before we scatter, where is Matton?" She asked
"Finally sleeping in the dorm after hearing his family is of Tatooine. Luna contacted us, they picked up the families and left for Arkaxis." Carth replied "She also said they will not be flying the Tattooine run again and that she was not going to hang around there to pick up cargo before they left."
"I can not blame her, after today we will be burned with Czerka anyway." Melissa replied, shrugging
Melissa finished assembling the bowcaster and handed it over to Bastila
"There you go, hair trigger and recoil compensator built in, with a class three scope. It will still have a hefty kick to it though, but it is the best I can do at short notice." She said
"Thank you, I believe the work you did will make quite a difference already." Bastila said, testing the new weight
"See if you can grab me one as well if you get a chance," Melissa replied
"Only if you let me get a jacket from that leather you grabbed." Bastila responded
"Deal. You three be careful out there. Use HK as much as you can, and keep your heads down" Melissa said, giving Bastila a quick hug
"You are more likely to get in trouble here than we are." Bastila answered, tightening her hug.
Canderous and Melissa took a perimeter patrol around the Hawk as Carth, Matton and Mission unhooked the Hawk from the utilities. She had felt the shock and rage of the hidden watchers as she and Canderous was in full armour. Canderous snorted as she told him what she felt.
"Good, know they know we will not be pushovers when they attack the ship." He stated
"It almost sounds as if you do not believe Freyyr's neutrality offer." Melissa replied, teasingly
"The only rug I trust is Zaalbar. When the attack starts they will not differentiate between friend and foe. If it is not one of them they will kill it, their Chief be damned." Canderous replied.
Spotting movement the focused on the path to the gatepost. The security division was abandoning the structure and was moving the turrets to the entrance to the residential module. A flood of people erupted from the module and they entered taking several turrets inside with them. The exile group stood looking lost for several minutes before making their way to the main building
Canderous nudged Melissa
"Go make that offer, looks like the plan is already going to osik." He said
"Did you expect anything else." Melissa replied walking off.
For the second time since their acquisition of the ship the hawk was the shelter for several refugees. Melissa sat in the nose turret keeping the weapon trained on the patrolling droids. Mission in the Top turret was aiming directly for the anti aircraft turret on top of the trade station. The vibrations and sound of the engines running at low power created a safe feeling for the refugees as did the presence of Canderous and his rotary blaster by the docking ramp.
Terri was looking at Freyyr in shocked disbelief
"You want to do a frontal assault on a fortified position, Have you not noticed the turrets in front of the gate or the fact that the defenders are ready and waiting for you on the walkways."
"That is the way we will proceed outsider, you are here merely as an observer. This is our concern." Freyyr growled angrily.
Terri's comlink started chirping insistently. She grabbed it from her belt
"Urgent Declaration: The hairy meatbag is in mortal peril. He has just been dragged from the chiefs house and is facing execution."
"HK weapons free." Terri snapped
" Delighted Compliance: As you wish more competent meatbag."
Zaalbar glared at his brother as he strutted around him. The execution block was circled by Chuundar's most loyal, the walls lined with the village guard. The rest of the villagers were standing by the doors to there residences or looking through what passed as windows. The stockade was filled by those whose family members had slipped out during the night.
Chuundar came to a stop and bend down slightly to look Zaalbar in the eyes where he was hogtied and placed on the block
"Any last words? Brother." Chuundar gloated
"Your mother should have suffocated you after your birth." Zaalbar replied
"Brave to the end, how noble." Chuundar mocked
"Not noble, just secure in the knowledge that my friends will avenge me and you will die screaming. As will all those who serve you." Zaalbar retorted
"Your humans will die soon as well, I will keep the red furred one for last." Chuundar snapped back
Chuundar stepped back and nodded to his announcer. The older Wookie dressed in the atrouncements of his position stepped forward, lifting a vibroaxe high showing it to the condemned. Zaalbar spat at his feet
"Go copulate with a lizard." Zaalbar told him
The Wookie howled in rage and lifted the axe higher and started swinging it down. His head snapped back and his brain matter splattered into Chuundar's face as HK's first shot struck true. Chuundar wiped the mess from his face skittering back.
"To arms, protect your chief." He cried out.
Another bolt lashed out and another Wookie dropped to the ground. Chuundar's remaining gaurds hustled him to the chiefs house and lamed the doors shut. Firing started up from the walkway over the access gate.
Zaalbar sighed softly in relief at his narrow escape and on hearing the familiar thrum of lightsabers coming from the direction of the gates. He heard the crackle of ion charges, followed by soft crumps as the turrets were disabled. The defenders on the walkway cried out in fear and alarm as there suddenly was four figures in their midst, some of the cries turned to pained howls as several were literally disarmed. The air was filled with war cries from beyond the gate. The living gaurds at the gates bracing the gates with their bodies as the next wave of attackers slammed into it.
Zaalbar felt the touch of a blade at his wrists and his bonds loosened
"Fancy meeting you here." Terri remarked
Zaalbar got his feet after removing his leg restraints, Terri spun to one side, her blade flicking back a bowcaster bolt at its shooter. The wookie was knocked of his feet as his redirected bolt struck him midchest. Zaalbar picked up the vibroax and swung it experimentally before gruntin in acceptance of the weapon.
"Who is here with you?" Zaalbar asked
"Bastila and Juhani. Your father refused to attack should Melissa be present. Someone told him that she is Mandalorian." Terri replied, batting another bolt back
Zaalbar bit back a retort on hearing that. He pointed to the chiefs house.
"We have to cut off the head of the kinrath, then the fighting will stop." He said.
" Lead on, I will cover us."
There was another set of racous yells as the gate was finally breached. Freyyr swinging his reforged blade with abandon as he ignored the attempts of surrender by the defenders.
The defenders in the house looked in horror to the doors as a blue blade was shoved through the thick wooden doors. The blade currved up slicing through the bar holding the door closed The doors slammed open, the hastily piled furniture used as abarricade scattering across the room. Zaalbar strode into the room, two human females and one Cathar girl at his back and sides.
Zaalbar pointed his axe to the group standing in front of the throne
"Surrender and you will be shown mercy." He growled
Several dropped their weapons and scuttled away before sitting down on the far side of the room. The remaining guards charged forward to defend their chief.
Chuundar was down on his knees grovelling for his life when Freyyr stepped into the room and approached the throne and sat down
"Well done my son." Freyyr told Zaalbar
"Father." Zaalbar nodded to him.
Freyyr turned his attention to his kneeling son
"What do you have to say for yourself?" He demanded
"I was weak, I was seduced by the promises of the outsiders." Chuundar gibbered
Freyyr turned a glare at the four non Wookies
"Their kind has always been problematic that is true." Freyyr growled
"Please, I want to atone for my mistakes," Chuundar pressed his defence
Zaalbar howled in outrage
"You sold your own people as slaves! You turned on your family!"
"I was ill. My mind was poisoned by the outsiders. The outsiders made me do all that" Chuundar called out
"Lies!" Zaalbar shouted in reply
"Peace, Zaalbar. You brother has always been gullible, it comes from being weaker than us." Freyyr stated
Freyyr looked at Chuundar
"You will take a walk of penance in the shadowlands and for three years you will not return."
"The punishment for slavery and revolt is death." Zaalbar objected
"The punishment is what I say it is. I have spoken." Freyyr growled
"Where is the justice for the families of those he sold?" Zaalbar demanded
"He is the son of the chief, his life is more valuable. I have spoken and my word is law." Freyyr snarled
Zaalbar looked at the blade in his hand and then at the carefully hidden smirk Chuundar threw at him. Freyyr turned his attention to the quartet
"Get out of my village. Your safety is gauranteed till you reach your ship and not a moment after. Zaalbar show them to the gate and relay my word."
Zaalbar lowered the blade
"I will be leaving with them." He stated
"Your place is here." Freyyr spat
"I have a lifedebt to honour." Zaalbar replied
"There is no life debt to outsiders, they do not count as important enough to matter." Freyyr brushed of the objection
"Surely brother, you can see the danger of them. Do not fail our people as I have." Chuundar smarmed ingratiatingly
"Your brother speaks true. When his penance is done he will be of use to you when you become chief." Freyyr nodded
Zaalbar stepped back in shock. Several of the other Wookies were looking uncomfortable as well and backing away slowly
"What happened to you? What happened to the chief who followed the law of our people and put his people first?" Zaalbar asked
"I am your father and your chief and you will obey." Freyyr snapped
"Do not fight father, brother, his words are law." Chuundar butted in
"Silent lizard lover, keep your venomous tongue in your mouth." Zaalbar growled
Freyyr jumped to his feet and roared in rage. Zaalbar lowered his head.
"So your mind is made up, you will disregard the law and not punish the traitor." Zaalbar growled softly
"I see no traitor all I see is a disobedient son who sides with outsiders. You will retract your words or join your brother on his penance."
Zaalbar sighed and stepped forward. The axe whistled as it swung through the air. Chuundar's face showed his shock before his head separated from his body.
Freyyrs claws came into view as he charged at Zaalbar who had dropped to his knees making no move to defend himself. The snap of a bowcaster filled the air. Freyyr staggered back, his fur smoking, claws inches away from Zaalbar. He staggered a few more paces before dropping to the ground and stilling.
Bastila lowered the bowcaster. Zaalbar got to his feet, the bloodied axe dropping from his slack hand. Gorwooken stepped forward and faced him.
"We will honour the last order of the chief and out of respect for him let you and the outsiders go, madclaw. Do not return on pain of death, murderer." Gorwooken growled
Zaalbar turned around and walked from what once his home. He paused at the gate and picked up the bowcaster of one of the fallen guards. After taking a last look at the village he turned
"This is my home no longer. It is time to leave." He growled softly
Horns started blaring as they stepped through the gate.
Melissa scythed the ground in front of her with turret fire, driving the Wookies attacking the ship back. Smoke was billowing from the burning structures of the trade station. Carth boosted power to the shields as the concentrated fire of the attackers started splashing on it. T3 started whistling desperately from where it was docked at the dataport
"What is it?" Carth demanded
He looked down at the screen as T3 scrolled a message to him. He blanched as he read it.
"Get hold of Terri, we are moving out now. We will pick them up on the way." He ordered
There was shouts of celebration as a group managed to push their way past the defences of the residential module. Desperate cries for help filled the airwaves. The fire from the rest intensified as Carth lifted off. The internal communicator clicked as he toggled it one handed
"Guys, I am going to blow the charges." Carth stated
"It will be a mercy for them. No one deserves to die like this" Canderous spoke up
"I agree." Mission spoke softly
"Mercy." Melissa stated
"Mercy." Matton spoke from the co pilot seat
Carth opened the lockbox standing on the control panel and pulled out a longe range detonator. He flicked the safety cap and depressed the button. The residential module began its long fall to the service as the struts holding it in place were sheared off.
The fire from the attackers intensified as the Hawk moved away heading towards the village.
Terri looked down at the approaching Wookies coming from the trade station and the village while standing on the boarding ramp ignoring the verbal tirade from HK as she elevated him onto the ship. Bolts were already being fired towards them as the groups were converging. She stepped back and pressed the control to close the boarding ramp. She made her way to the cockpit and stopped behind Carth's chair
"Let us get to Matton's ship and get the hell of this rock." She said
Two ships broke through atmosphere ignoring the hails to power down from approaching interceptor craft. The ships jumped to hyperspace leaving Kashyyk behind forever.