My shoulders sunk and my feet half-dragged as we walked back—both mentally and physically exhausted. Jolee's hut was a welcome sight after marching for what felt like days through the Kashyyyk wilds. A familiar soft sensation tingled my mind. Once I felt the bond, I didn't wait for the quiet old man to lead me the rest of the way.

I banged the door open. Bastila's eyes shot open and she sat up with a wince. I avoided one of the lamps hanging from the ceiling and a smile cut my lips.

"Morning, sunshine, or well, almost evening. How was your beauty sleep?"

That glare that I missed appeared along with her scrunched nose.

"Where...are we?"

"A crazy old hermit's shack—don't ask." I crossed my arms. "And you ignored my question."

She crossed her own arms but winced as she did. "It was awful. Terrible, in fact. I had the...strangest dreams. Czerka employees dying—"

"Oh, that was probably the Dingla root."

"Dingla root?"

"Nevermind—not important." I waved a hand then glanced at the dirty floor. "Are you alright? I don't feel any pain in the bond, but it's hard to tell if that's how it is. It was...numb while you were out of it. Do you need any painkillers? The old man probably has something—"

"I'm fine."

"Really?" Her bruised face flinched as I looked her up and down. "After being mauled by a beast and almost dying in a kriffing tree you're fine?" I shook my head. "Maybe I'm not the only masochist."

A sigh. "Alright, I'm not exactly well, but I'm not dying. Happy?"

"Ecstatic." I grinned before I collapsed on the stump by the hammock. "You missed a lot while you were out of action, Bondy. As always, I did all of the work while you were unconscious and in need of rescue. Some things never change."

She closed her eyes then rubbed her temple. "Yes, including your propensity to provoke me with obnoxious remarks."

"Obnoxious? I thought they were charming or..." I leaned closer. "...seductive."

"Yes, you're right. 'Obnoxious' isn't very accurate. 'Vulgar' is."

I sat back and clicked my tongue. "You're getting better with the comebacks. Can you go back to when you stuttered around like a preteen crushing on a holostar?"

Red tinged her cheeks. "Yes, well, I've had to put up with you for what seems like an eternity."

"Hey! I saved your life and this is how you treat me?"

"You saved my life?" Her eyes burned with fury. "I lured the beast away because you were too stubborn to run. I saved you. Again!"

"Oh." My smirk hurt my jaw. "So, you saved me by risking yourself like an idiot. Funny. I faintly recall someone telling me not to do that."

Her neck was now red. "B-Because you recklessly risked your life first! I had no choice at that point. And I told you—!"

She winced and hugged her chest with an arm—shaking. I grabbed her left fist. There was a stinging pain in her torso. Sweat beaded down her forehead and her hair stuck to her face. I held her still even when her shaking subsided and the pain numbed.

Bastila opened her watering gray eyes. "I...you would have died if I did nothing. Or did you conveniently forget that?"

I peeled my hand off of her fist and watched water drip from the ceiling into a broken cup. Unwanted images breached my mind. Bastila facing the terentatek. The pain she felt as she crawled into that tree. Slowly dying. If she died like that, alone, would I have ever been able to forgive myself?

My fingers hooked through my hair as I held my forehead.

Hell no. I never would.

"I…" Her voice wavered. When I looked up, Bastila appeared more distressed than when she'd actually been in pain. She released a held breath. "Is there anything to drink? Or eat? I'm famished."

"Oh...right."

Jolee hadn't entered the hut yet. Probably sulking over his destroyed garden again. For a semi-Jedi, he had strange priorities. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I ransacked his hut for Bastila's sake.

Standing, I made for the kitchenette and opened the crooked cabinets. There was no way I was going to give Bastila the poison soup as much as I would have laughed my ass off at her reaction to it. Didn't want to kill her, after all.

As I put together a "meal," I felt her stare follow me as I flitted about trying to find something that at least seemed edible. Choosing a cabbage that wasn't molding and one of those fruits I ate before, I brought it over in a bowl along with a cup of water. Bastila took both with shaky hands and I perched on the stool again.

My knee bounced. I shot a glance at the door while she ate.

What is taking so long?

"Where are the others?" Bastila asked after finishing her meal. "Are they…?"

"I think they're fine."

"You 'think?' So, you don't know."

"Old man Bindo said they were, and I trust him."

Bastila flinched. "Wait…Bindo? Jolee Bindo?"

As if the name summoned him, the old man banged the door open and strode in with a pissed expression on his face.

"Dank farrik! This sets me back a whole season! No thanks to you!"

I flinched as the old man waved a finger at me. Bastila raised her own thin brows at the uproar. I didn't get a chance to ask or say anything before Jolee grabbed a sack hanging from a hook. He stuffed it with spare robes, strange roots, a pillow...rocks. As he packed, the old Jedi muttered nonsense to himself.

I stood. "Wha-what are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

"Why are you packing?"

Jolee cinched the sack closed. He threw it over his shoulder then shot me a glare.

"I've seen all I wish to see here."

"That...that's it? Really?"

"You try living down here for twenty years. I'm sick of the trees, the noise...my garden even!"

"Sick of your...how? You said your garden was more important than whatever we were doing. And you were just griping about it five seconds ago!"

Jolee ignored me and glanced over to the hammock at Bastila. "Ah! Well, I see you've finally woken up. Looking less pale than you did while I was pulling you out of that tree. Good to see."

Bastila shot me a look accompanied by a smirk.

"Saved my life did you?"

Heat rose to my cheeks and I rubbed my face to hide any blushing. Another headache.

"You know what? I really don't care at this point, old man," I said. "Leave if you want to, it's a free galaxy."

"That is the plan." Jolee shuffled the bag. "And since you don't seem to care, I'll happily tag along on your quest to find...what was it? Something about visions, Star Maps, Darth Malak...Revan?" He gave Bastila a raised brow. There was an awkward pause before the old man continued. "Oh! Right, the Star Forge. That and I sense that you have a great destiny before you, kid." He slapped my shoulder. "Don't wanna miss it."

I glared at the spot he'd slapped my shoulder.

"A-Are you serious?"

There was no way we were letting a senile old man join us—Jedi or no. Surely Bastila would agree?

Her face had become tight as she stared into the warm, jovial eyes of Jolee Bindo. Tension filled the air along with a strange quiet. I glanced between them both then cleared my throat.

"Uh...are you guys—?"

"Jolee Bindo." Bastila interrupted. "Master Dorak told us many stories about you when we were younglings."

"Hrumph. Good ones, I'd wager?"

"No, you were an example of what not to do."

"Ha! Well, Dorak made worse mistakes than I did, kid. Not ones he'd dare admit to, I'm sure. One time there was this Twi'lek stripper—"

Bastila huffed. "At this point, I'm not even going to bother asking what you are doing down here. It's almost a given." She faced me again. "I...think I can manage to walk. We need to get the Star Map—"

"Done."

"What?"

I took my datapad out of my sack and showed her the glowing coordinate. "As I said, sunshine, I did all of the work."

She readjusted herself in the hammock then grabbed the datapad. Force, she didn't have to act surprised that I'd actually accomplished something without her help.

"Well, that's...good."

When she handed my datapad back, I shoved it into my bag. "Hmph, can never impress you."

"Oh, I'm sorry—I didn't realize you only got the map to impress me. If you recall, we are stuck down here without a way back to our ship because you wanted to start rebellions."

Jolee raised a white eyebrow at me.

I rolled my eyes. "She's exaggerating."

"Exaggerating?" It looked like she was about to go on another one of her infamous rants, however, she only sighed. "Forget it. We'll come up with a plan once we reunite with everyone." She glanced over at the old man. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh! Saw a group of strangers making their way back to the Wookiee village. They weren't in Czerka uniforms so I assume those are your friends."

"I'll go get them." I pointed at the ground. "Bastila, stay here."

"You—did you just give me an order? " She threw her legs over the side of the hammock with a hiss. "I can walk just fine."

"Walk?"

"Yes."

"Don't you mean limp?"

"I can walk."

"For how long?"

"Long enough."

"Long enough to trip and hurt yourself?" I rubbed my chin. "No, I don't think so."

"I'm not a dainty flower, Wes."

"At the moment, yes. Yes, you are."

"I can use the Force. It is impossible for me to trip."

"Impossible? You've tripped countless times!"

"Yes, and all of those times were your fault!"

"Now you're blaming me for your own mistakes?" I rolled my eyes with a huff. "Women."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Yell at me all you want if it makes you feel better, sunshine." I leaned forward with a smile. "For your sake, I can take the abuse."

"Abuse? Yelling at you isn't abuse! What is abuse are your vile, inconsiderate, egotistical, remarks!"

"Ye-s." I nodded. "Let out all of that anger. It's okay. I like it."

Red painted her horrified face. "...and condescending! I'll add that to the list of your terrible qualities!"

"Oh, so do I have a list of good qualities?"

"It is a far shorter list!"

"Children, children!" Jolee waved his hands between us then chuckled once we both shot him a glare. "Like mating gundarks…" he whispered. "Look—you really don't have to bicker over this. She'll be fine—the journey isn't difficult. I'll lead you there."

"You are not coming with us!" I waved at the old man. "I already have enough people to worry about."

"Wes…" Her face grew serious. "If he knows about...the Star Maps, then it's probably for the best that he also joins us. For both his safety and ours."

What?

Jolee's eyes became sharp. "Knew you were smart." The old man grabbed a pot filled with some herbs near the hammock and shoved it into her hands. "Chew on some of this—should help with the pain. Again, shouldn't take us too long. And the Wookiees will have better medical supplies anyway."

Defeated. Once again. Did I ever win?

"..."

No, of course not—what a stupid question.

The Wookiee camp lit up the Shadowlands with dim torches. A chill in the air cut through my partially ripped tunic while the blanket around Bastila's shoulders barely kept her warm. The change in temperature was the only indication of nightfall down here. Bastila leaned on me like a crutch as we traveled.

I filled her in on what happened while she was unconscious—omitting some details about the evaluation and the...Czerka situation. Didn't want to give her a heart attack on top of the pain she was already suppressing. She chewed on five of those leaves but, knowing Jolee, they probably did bantha shit.

The Wookiee guards shook once they spotted Jolee. They growled something about how the "Spirit descends on them!" and "The Spirit blesses us!" Jolee ignored these comments, of course, then asked about any outsiders that wandered in as if he was talking to his next-door neighbor. After stumbling over his growls, one Wookiee told us that a few wounded outsiders were taken to the apothecary's tent.

Bastila flinched as we shuffled forward along with a stabbing pain in the bond. I stopped. Sweat on her brow reflected the orange light from the torches.

"You alright?"

A huff. "For the hundredth time, Wes, I'm fine."

"I can sense your pain through the bond, you know."

"Then why...are you asking?"

Oh. Huh, yeah, why was I? Before I could explain away my stupidity, Bastila took a step forward and I was forced to follow her.

Jolee marched through the flap of the apothecary's tent. A row of crude beds lined the leafy edges—some with injured Wookiee hunters, some with…

"Bas! Wessy!"

Bastila flinched in pain again after Mission tackled me with one of her Wookiee hugs.

I coughed. "Can't...breath...dying…"

"Oh, whoops!"

The young Twi'lek jumped away then shot me a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Carth sat up on one of those beds. His head had been bandaged with a ripped-up Czerka uniform. His previously tight face slackened.

"Thank the Force you both are okay. You've been missing for almost two days now." What? I was unconscious for that long? I glared at Jolee. How...potent was that Dingla root, exactly? "Juhani wanted to go looking for you. Thankfully, she didn't. I told her that it was safer to stay put—"

The Cathar shot up from the dirt floor. "I sensed a great taint. I feared that you'd both been injured or worse."

I sighed. "Well, it wasn't worse, thankfully."

Verena remained on her bed—tight-looking leaves wrapped around her own chest. She waved at us with a pained grin.

"Glad to see you're alright, Jedi," she muttered. "As you can see I...underestimated my opponent."

"Yeah, charging in like that was rather stupid of you." The Echani narrowed her eyes at me. I pursed my lips. "And I'm glad you're alright too, I guess. I'm glad everyone...is, honestly."

Bastila released herself from my grip and slid onto one of the empty beds with a sigh. That's when I noticed our token Mandalorian hadn't quipped about the "Jedi Princess getting her hands dirty."

"Where's Canderous?"

Carth glanced to the side. "After he helped us here he...marched off. You can probably guess where." I rubbed my forehead. As if we hadn't had enough problems. "I wouldn't waste time worrying about it. He's a crazy son of a bitch. He'll live."

"I don't know…" I said. "Those Mandalorians looked like they wanted blood. And if they're deserters, they won't let honor get in the way of vengeance."

Verena raised a white brow.

Oh, right, technically she was a deserter...wasn't she? That must have been why she was sulking before. No one else in the room knew that fact. For good reason. Carth would not appreciate it. Nor Bastila, come to think of it. They would accuse Verena of being a spy despite how illogical that conclusion would be considering the fact we hadn't even been attacked once by the Sith since our arrival.

Bastila winced. "We'd only endanger Canderous if we tried to go after him. We'll wait and see if he shows up tomorrow."

"But he'll die for sure if we do nothing," I said. "Whereas if we go after him, he may have a chance."

Her mouth snapped shut even though I'd thought she'd continue to argue. Instead, Juhani took her place.

"So?" the Cathar said. "Mandalorians are ruthless killers. They murdered many of my kind. They are the reason my family had to live on Taris. If Ordo dies...then so be it. It would be what he deserves."

"Juhani." Bastila sat up and a burst of terror flowed out of her. "That isn't the Jedi way. No one deserves to die for what they've done. You should know that after..."

The Cathar flinched at her tone then lowered her head. "I'm sorry. You're right." Her yellow eyes burned. "But even so...why should we purposefully risk our lives for someone who has killed so many people? The Mandalorian doesn't even want our help."

At that, everyone quieted. As if she had made a point. A wave of familiar anger tightened my chest. Carth met my stare. He raised his brows as if he expected me to argue...but it was pointless. They didn't want to hear it. They didn't want to change their minds.

Jolee cleared his throat. Loudly. "You have no manners, kid. Didn't even bother introducing me to your pals. I see how it is."

Oh. Right. The old man.

I twisted around. "I didn't want you coming along with us in the first place!"

"Another Jedi?" Carth sighed. "Great."

"I'm Jolee Bindo. And ex- Jedi, thank you very much."

Juhani tilted her head at the old man. "Bindo? Like...they pulled a Bindo? That Bindo?"

"P-Pulled a Bindo?" I stuttered.

Was that a Jedi inside joke? That's new.

"Am I really that famous that they made a catchphrase after me?" Jolee asked.

"Infamous," Bastila cut in.

"Pah! Figures." The old man sat on one of the beds and his back snapped as he rubbed his shoulder. "Don't mind me—I'll keep out of your hair. Only here to watch."

"Watch what?" I waved. "We're not a holofilm!"

But the old man answered by laying down with a long sigh. "Need a break, kid. You're exhausting and an old man gets tired fast. You'll find that out yourself the hard way when you get to be my age."

I wanted to snap back, but the old man really did look exhausted. It didn't take long for him to pass out snoring.

Bastila rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Anyway...we were able to get the Star Map." We? "Our next course of action is to get back to our ship. Perhaps the Wookiees would know of a way to escape the Shadowlands."

Mission kicked some dirt. "Big Z is talking to his father right now. He didn't—" She rubbed the side of her face and her smile dipped. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have gone out there by myself. I'm sorry I—"

"No." My expression tightened. "Don't you dare apologize. I was a complete asshole."

"But..." Mission grabbed at her lekku while staring at her boots. "You were right. We should have left when we could. I only got everyone hurt."

"And I shouldn't have been stupid enough to let you go."

Mission glanced up at me with wide eyes. It looked as if she was going to argue further, but she watched the floor again in shame. I would have thought taking the blame for all of this would have made the teen lighten up again...but whatever I said only seemed to make it worse.

Bastila's eyelids flickered before she addressed me. "Can you go and ask the Wookiees what they know? We need a plan."

"Fine." I went to follow that order then paused. "What about HK?"

Carth shrugged. "Who cares?"

"I care," Verena snapped.

"Why do you care?" Bastila asked. "Didn't you want to destroy—?"

"Oh, right!" I took out my datapad and opened the topographic map. "I connected HK-47's tracker to my datapad. I'll use that to find him."

Bastila groaned—not in pain this time. "Why do you want to find that thing?"

"Because he's actually useful?"

"You think an assassin droid is useful?"

"Defunct assassin droid. And he saved our lives, remember?"

She huffed. "Whatever. Get him later. We need to focus on getting out of here."

"Yes, ma'am."

With a final salute, I marched away—Mission tailing me. I had no idea know why she was following me—after all, it was probably going to be boring talking to the Wookiees. I didn't bother to ask her though as I stormed out of the tent.

No furbags walked about the cold, chilled night. Warm light peeked out from the cracks in the tent homes. It was...calm compared to the bustle of the jungle. Freyyr's hut glowed due to the small windows and the Wookiee guard nodded as I pushed open the fragile door.

All three Wookiees stopped their growling when we entered. Mission watched her boots as she continued to sulk. It was hard to concentrate when she was acting like that. Zaalbar rose from his place by the fire and walked over to us. There was determination in his gaze.

"Wes…" he growled. "You—"

"Don't thank me," I interrupted. "I don't deserve it."

"It's...I was going to say that you were right about me."

"Huh?"

Zaalbar's broad shoulders dipped. "My father and Jaarak told me everything that happened. I shouldn't have hid from my people. My inaction...our inaction has done more harm to our tribe than good. I see that now." Zaalbar glanced over his shoulder to both Freyyr and Jaarak. "That is also what I wished to speak to you about, Father. We cannot stand by and watch our people suffer any longer. We must defeat Chuundar and oust the invaders."

Jaarak lowered his head. "Zaalbar...our people have made up their minds. We can only wait for Clan Chorrawl to defeat your brother before we attack Czerka."

"That will never happen. We must convince them that they made a mistake."

The old Wookiee Freyyr turned to face his son. "They will never listen to reason. There is only one way we could ever rally our village against Czerka. And it's with Bacca's blade."

Oh no. I was afraid they'd come to that conclusion.

Jaarak waved a wooly arm. "This again? Sure, it may call Chuundar's rule into question, but the blade has been lost for years."

"Not lost," Zaalbar growled. "I saw it stuck within the Great Beast when it attacked us. We can hunt it and retrieve the blade." He looked down at me. "Where did you last see the beast, Wes?"

"Yeah...about that." I rubbed the back of my neck. "It's dead."

Zaalbar's furry face brightened. "Then all we need to do is find the body and take Bacca's blade!"

"I had the same idea," I said. "And the blade...it broke."

That news caused all three Wookiees to sink once more.

"Then there is no hope," Freyyr growled. "I'm sorry, my son. I fear that my mistakes are too great. We fight for survival. That is all we can do now."

"No…" Zaalbar whined. "There has to be another way."

"There may be...something," Jaarak grumbled. "I and the remaining warriors could ambush the lift. When they pull us back up...we kill Chuundar. Without the Council, his death would leave a power vacuum. The tribe would have no choice but to listen to you, Freyyr."

"No!" The old Wookiee roared. "That is suicide! You don't think we've tried that before? They always guard the lift and Chuundar's bodyguards kill all exiles that try it. You would die before reaching Chuundar."

"We have nothing else to lose, chieftain. Our fight for survival would only lead to our demise."

Freyyr roared. "The tribe wouldn't appreciate your heroics, Jaarak. They think you're a Mad Claw. Even if you somehow kill Chuundar, my rule would be tainted. They would never listen to me."

"I'd gladly sacrifice my life for the tribe anyway."

"Fool. You would sacrifice your life for nothing ."

"Not unless…" Zaalbar's lanky form wavered and his quiet gaze met mine then Mission's. "We need to defeat Chuundar and Czerka not only for our tribe but for the sake of the galaxy. If my friends cannot leave on their ship, then they will not be able to stop the Sith." He balled his furry claws into a fist. "I will kill Chuundar, Father."

"No." Freyyr shot out of his seat. "You are my heir. I will not have you go on a suicide mission."

Mission grabbed Zaalbar's arm. "Big Z, you can't—!"

"I will demand to speak to my brother." He shoved Mission away. "I will tell him to release my friends in exchange for knowledge of your location, Father. When he realizes you are still down here and not enslaved, he would jump at the opportunity to take the deal. He cares more about securing his power than some outsiders..." Zaalbar whimpered. "Once everyone is...safe and Chuundar stands near me, I will take the lift out."

"Absolutely not!" Freyyr roared. "I will not have you kill yourself for my sake!"

Zaalbar roared back. "I would rather sacrifice myself than allow our people to continue to be enslaved!" The Wookiee shook his head. "Once the lift is gone, my friends will be able to escape in the chaos. The people will want to fight and Clan Chorrawl will take control."

"I see...that I will not be able to convince you." The old wook shook his head. "If this is to be my punishment, to lose both sons, then it is what I deserve."

"Zaalbar…" I shook my head. "There has to be another way."

"I gave you a life debt, Wes." His Wookiee mouth stretched—as if he was smiling. "You risked your life for me...now it's my turn to return the favor."

The teenage Twi'lek grabbed Zaalbar's arm again.

"No, you can't! I won't let you!"

"Mission…let me do this. Please."

"I almost lost you once—I will not lose you again!" Mission shouted. "My brother abandoned me...everyone I knew on Taris is dead. You...you're all I have left, Big Z. I can't—"

"That's not true. You have more friends now than you ever had on Taris." He rubbed her head. "And...you have always been able to take care of yourself."

Tears fell down Mission's face and her gaze met mine. "Tell him...tell him not to do it. Please. He has to listen to you. Because...because of the life debt."

The Wookiee's shoulders tightened and he watched me, waiting for that order. But if I made him go against his will like that, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

As would I.

"Mission…" Her expression dipped. "I can't force Zaalbar to do something he doesn't want to do. It wouldn't be right. If he wants to help his people, then I can't—"

"Shut up!" More tears fell down her face. Anger shone within her blue eyes. "If you let Big Z die...then I'll never forgive you!"

The Twi'lek stormed out. Again. I rubbed my forehead as another headache pierced my brain. Why did I seem to screw everything up with her recently?

Zaalbar made a sad purr. "Thank you...and don't worry—Mission will understand someday." The Wookiee faced his father and Jaarak. "When is the lift due to arrive?"

Freyyr sank in his seat. "They have hunts every few days. Tomorrow at the earliest."

Force. That...didn't give us much time.

"Let everyone know...the plan, Wes," Zaalbar growled. "We need to prepare."

Before Zaalbar and Jaarak left, his father called to him. "Is there nothing that I can do to convince you not to do this, my son?"

The Wookiee stopped. "I'm sorry, Father, but…it's what I should have done long ago."

I held out my datapad as I walked through the dense jungle. Night had fallen, so I kept my senses alert as I moved through the bushes. I brushed aside some thorns as I ducked under more vines.

I'd returned to the tent with the news that we'd be leaving tomorrow. Because of Zaalbar. Understandably, everyone was not thrilled with the idea of the Wookiee sacrificing himself for our sake. Mission hadn't looked at any of us as I explained the plan. Not even a twitch after I told them what Zaalbar intended to do. She probably hated me for good now. I didn't want to let Zaalbar do it either, but it was his decision to make. And it was...the only solution we had of getting out of here without the stupid blade.

Once I was sure everyone had fallen asleep, I snuck out of the camp with two goals in mind. It didn't take long before I arrived at Czerka's old camp. HK-47 watched the destroyed area with a cold yearning. Rapping the red-painted metal with my knuckles, I grinned up at the machine.

"Miss me?"

The droid's head swiveled. "Statement: Master, I was beginning to wonder if you had been pulverized by that gigantic meatbag. You had a five percent chance of making it out alive. Not that I would have...mourned your demise, of course."

"Missed you too."

I walked out into the destroyed clearing. HK-47 followed with his clanking. The vacant yard had been devastated by the terentatek. Nets, tents, container blocks, half-eaten corpses…

"You know...you may have been right about something."

"Query: Right about what, Master? I am right about everything."

"I haven't been making rational decisions." I stopped then peered up HK. "I let my emotions get in the way of protecting those I care about. They almost died because of it."

There is no emotion, there is peace. Perhaps there was a kernel of truth to the Code after all.

"Assessment: While I am happy you wish to correct your inefficiencies, Master, your conclusion is a contradiction."

"Contradiction?" I scoffed. "What about it was contradicting?"

"Answer: Your conclusion indicates you would forgo all feelings for those you 'care' about. If you actually did forgo all feelings, then the logical conclusion would be to forgo those you 'care' about in the first place. These meatbags get in the way of any and all rationality. They are...like a disease."

I raised a brow while holding back a laugh.

"A disease?"

"Answer: Yes, Master, a disease or a...taint. One that needs to be eradicated with a blaster bolt." HK's lights dimmed. "Many blaster bolts."

I twitched. "Err...yeah, no way. Not happening."

"Statement: Then you will continue to make irrational decisions, Master. Elimination of all attachments is the only way to ensure rational thinking. Other than having droid-like detachment, but unfortunately, your meatbag status makes that impossible to achieve."

"Hmm, you've almost convinced me..." I scratched my chin with a smirk. "Maybe I should take you up on those cybernetic implants."

"Statement: It is never too late to have a change of heart, Master."

I kicked the ashes of the supply tent then picked up one of Czerka's discarded blaster rifles. I shoved the weapon into his metal fingers. HK-47's photoreceptors beamed as he gripped the rifle tight.

Before we could head in the direction of the Mandalorians' camp, something snapped at the far side of the clearing. I unleashed my lightsaber, scanning the area. Something...was out there.

A flash of orange appeared from behind one of the trees.

"Calm down, idiot, it's me."

As Carth stepped into sight, I sheathed my lightsaber. The pilot kicked some broken droid parts until he was only a meter away.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I sneered. "Don't tell me Bastila sent you."

"She didn't have to." He crossed his arms. "You had that look in your eye. The one you get when you're planning something ridiculously stupid."

"Wow, how perceptive. That's unlike you."

"You can't go five seconds without the petty insults." The pilot huffed. "What are you doing?"

"What—you don't know?"

"We agreed not to go after Canderous."

"Did you really stalk me all the way out here just to say that?" I rolled my eyes and watched the jungle. "I know—the Mando is infuriating and has probably killed a lot of innocents, but...he saved our lives. We owe him." I crossed my arms. "And...I'm not going to abandon anyone like that again."

There was a beat of silence.

"I didn't follow you to drag you back." I turned to face Carth. "I followed you because your mistakes are my mistakes are the Republic's...mistakes. So, I'm here to make sure you don't make any."

He smiled at me along with a raised brow. I blinked—trying to process his words. When I understood them, a smile of my own curved my lips.

Smoke was our first sign that we'd gotten close to the Mandalorians' camp. I waved a hand and HK-47 bent low to the ground as we snuck through the forest. Loud thundering booms along with faint chanting masked the sound of our rustling. But we still had to be careful. These Mandos had stealth field generators and they could be prowling about. Getting close would be almost impossible without drawing attention

"So, did you have a plan before you snuck out here?" Carth muttered. "Or did you just figure you'd wing it?"

"Was going to use the oldest trick in my smuggling handbook, Orangy." I grinned. "When in doubt: blend in."

From the camp, more booming drums and loud drunken shouting. Perfect. The drunker, the better.

I whispered to the droid who stood vigil behind us. "HK, are you able to scan heat signatures around the perimeter?"

"Affirmative." The droid's photoreceptors blinked a few times until they settled. "Observation: There are five organic meatbags patrolling the premises. One is on approach. Query: What do you advise, Master? May I eliminate the target?"

"Sure."

"Sure? " Carth hissed.

"But do it quietly."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Carth muttered. "Someone could find the body."

"Hmm...you're right." I crossed my arms. "Amend to that, HK. Kill everyone that is patrolling the premises. Quickly and quietly. We can't take any chances."

"Wha—"

The droid hugged its blaster. "Affirmative, Master."

HK slunk away into the shadows while I watched the flickering lights of the Mandalorian camp. Carth rubbed his sweating face.

"This was a mistake…"

I sensed other patrols making their way towards us but a few snapped branches here and there was enough of a distraction. Carth shot me glances but I kept my attention on making sure none of the patrols discovered either us or the fresh bodies.

HK returned with a confirmation that he'd succeeded in killing the targets.

"Okay, now what?" the pilot asked.

"We grab their stealth field generators to sneak into the camp. Use the helmets to continue the ruse. Blend in."

"Really? That's it?"

I raised a brow. "It's simple and stupid, I know, but simple and stupid works."

"What if they make us take off the helmet?" he asked. "It's all over if they do. Some of them saw us with Canderous."

"They won't. Stop stressing out about it."

HK-47 led us to the body of one of the Mandalorians he took out. I unhooked the stealth field generator belt then took off the blue armor plates. Yes, the plan wasn't that...creative, but why change perfection?

After I hooked on the armor and putting on the mask, we went to the next victim of HK's carnage. Carth sighed as he strapped on the blue armor, mask, and stealth field belt. I also grabbed his comm. Before we could sneak into the camp, we needed to prepare something else. HK led us to one last body. On this one, I grabbed another comm on the Mando's belt and threw it to HK along with his stealth field generator.

"When you hear a click, start shooting as loudly as possible. Then use the stealth field to sneak back to the Wookiee camp."

The droid's lights dimmed as he snapped on the belt.

"Affirmative, Master."

Carth tilted his masked head.

"Why?"

"When they hear blaster fire, they'll have to check it out. That's when they'll discover that their patrols have all spontaneously died. They'll think they're under attack. The confusion will give us a chance to get the hell out with Canderous."

Carth sighed. "I hope this works…"

"It will. Trust me."

And with that, I flipped the switch on the belt and the air around me wavered. Carth followed my lead.

I rarely used stealth field generators. You'd think in my old line of work they would have been useful, but they only lasted from five to thirty minutes at a time. Practically useless when trying to evade Republic patrols. It would work to blend in with the Mandalorians though.

Careful, we edged closer to the booming from the camp, completely exposed. A wild yelp arose from the light. A few repulsors had also been set up around the perimeter. They would have spotted us by now if we didn't have the belts.

Fifty or so Mandos bunched around fires and tents—most of them without helmets. Three Basilisk droids laid near our side of the camp, their massive bulk blocked the fires from casting their light. I leaned against the Basilisk and I assumed Carth followed. Before I dared release the stealth field, I searched the camp for any sign of Canderous.

There. The Mandalorian stood with legs shoulder-width apart near a weapons rack. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot as if waiting. The men and women around him shot him glares, some spat at his feet. It was obvious he wasn't welcome.

"Do you know Mando'a?" I whispered.

Carth sighed. "Some simple words and phrases, but I can't speak it."

"Then keep quiet. I'll do most of the talking."

I saw a break—no one was watching the droids. I released the field and strode around as if I had been inspecting the machine. Carth followed.

We both marched through the camp—avoiding the drunken Mandalorians. A large pile of Wookiee pelts and tach corpses sat in the center of the place. Some threw the fresh game onto the pile while others grabbed from it and brought them to bloody tables to be skinned or processed. It was a messy contrast to the Czerka camp which had been cold and methodical.

Canderous didn't notice as we approached from behind. When he did, his scar distorted in his glare.

"What do you want?" he asked in Mando'a

"I don't know," I said in Mando'a back. "For you to not be a suicidal idiot?"

The Mando's face changed from anger to annoyance. "I should have expected this to happen." He marched towards one of the tents—one that looked filled with weapons. "I told you I needed to do this alone, pipsqueak."

"You can fight Jagi alone all you want. I'm just afraid of what will happen after you win."

"They wouldn't dare kill the victor of a fight." He stopped and raised his brow at the figure shadowing me. "Who's that?"

"Carth."

The Mando chuckled then spoke in Basic. "Well, this is unexpected, flyboy. Didn't know you cared about me."

The blue armored Mando next to me shuddered.

"No, you—"

"Shh! No Basic." I whispered. Carth's body settled though I could sense a simmer. I reverted back to Mando'a "Whatever, we're here and we're not leaving. Where's your opponent?"

"Taking his sweet ass time." Canderous watched the jungle. "But I think he'll be arriving soon." He peered into my helmet's eyeslit then shoved a finger in my chest. "Whatever happens, stay out of it."

He left without another word into the weapons tent.

Carth and I found a fire to sit near and kept our heads down as we waited for the show to start. Unfortunately, with our disguises, it meant the Mandalorians weren't afraid to sit with us. Two stumbled over with mugs in hand. Some of the beverages spilled over their fingers.

"Drink, brother?" The bulky one sat next to me then pushed the mug at my shoulder. "No, wait, what clan are you from?"

I had no choice but to take the mug. The mask was going to make it awkward.

"Eh…" Wait, what clans are there? "Uh...Fett."

The short one half-spit out his drink.

"Good joke. For real. What clan?"

Ugh. I glanced over to Carth. Maybe he knew some Mandalorian clans? He fought in the war, after all. But he had to have understood what they had asked…

Carth sat up.

"Jendri."

I sighed. Thank the Force.

"Clan Jendri? You mean those idiots who are trying to find Mandalore's mask?" Bulky snorted. "Well then, it's no wonder why you've abandoned them to join us. Them and Clan Ordo are wasting their time looking for it." He tapped my helmet. "Oi, why don't you switch it off—have a drink. Relax! There are enough spoils to spend on ale for months!" Before I could try and figure out an excuse not to, he burst out into singing. "One indomitable heart, Brothers all. We, the wrath of Mandalore, Brothers all... "

Thankfully, in his drunken singing, he forgot about getting my mask and helmet off. And before he could question it again, another distraction pulled his attention away.

Jagi's group had returned from a hunt.

A chant of the same song Bulky had been mumbling pounded from the dark. I could not discern most of the words from the chaotic drumming and the jungle around us. A loud thrumming and two Basilisk droids hovered and weaved through the trees. I flinched at the violent sound and sweat built on my brow as the beast droids landed behind us next to the other ones.

Their pilots choose our fire to sit by. I glanced over at Carth when I recognized their armor. The same ones that were with Jagi before. Great.

"Canderous," Jagi took off his helmet and mask. "Where is that coward?"

At the call of his name, Canderous marched out of the tent with a vibroblade. No armor. His bloodthirsty gaze didn't stray from Jagi.

The deserter gave a smug smile. "So you managed to come after all."

"Enough talk, Jagi. Let's do what we came here to do."

"You are in such a rush to die, old friend."

He waved a hand and his underlings dumped corpses into the pile. Canderous made a mark in the dirt with his boot. Jagi threw the metal plates of his armor to the ground. All of the Mandalorians around the fire twisted to face the two arguing men.

"We both know the stakes." Jagi grabbed his own vibroblade from a sheath. "We both know how this will end." He pointed the blade at Canderous. "In death."

I rolled my eyes.

Canderous raised his own blade. "You challenged my honor, Jagi. You gave me no choice."

"You had a choice in the battle of Althir!" He addressed the rest of the Mandalorians. "The deaths of my comrades, your warriors, is a debt in blood that can only be paid by you. When you saw prospects for glory, you abandoned the plan and left us to die!"

"If I had not attacked when I did, the battle would not have been won quickly!"

"So!" Jagi shook his blade. "Quick, slow, hard, easy, it is only the fight that matters! You left your own men to die, Canderous, and why?" The Mandalorians roared with anger. "There is only one reason why! For power! For promotion! I even heard you wanted to be Mandalore. Mandalore! Ha! You could imagine my fury."

Canderous' body tightened. "Who...told you that?"

"Your wife. Veela. When she told me to rejoin."

Canderous looked like he was going to say something, yet Jagi shouted and dove with the silver blade. The Mandalorian hunters waved their fists as if this was a game of bolo-ball and made crude comments as Canderous blocked each attack. He spun away and watched the angry deserter with cold eyes.

Jagi growled. "You dare claim the title of Mandalore after what you did? You left us to die for your own glory!"

When they connected blades again, Canderous shouted over the chaos.

"I didn't claim anything, and that's not why it happened!"

"Liar!"

Jagi kicked. Canderous grunted when the foot connected but was able to stay on his feet to deflect the next attack.

As they exchanged blows, the drunk Mandalorians sang, chanted, with the beating of the drums:

"One indomitable heart, Vode an.

We, the wrath of Mandalore, Vode an.

And glory, eternal glory, we shall bear its weight together.

Forged like the saber in the fires of death, Vode an!"

"Hey, Jendris?" Bulky shoved the mug at my shoulder again. "Come on! Drink with us!"

The sparks and ringing of steel distracted me from the drunk Mando. Canderous was keeping calm while Jagi swiped at him with angry flicks. Eventually, someone spilled first blood.

Jagi wiped at his cheek of blood and growled. Canderous shook his head during the pause in the fight.

"My own glory wasn't why I did it, Jagi," he said. "The Althiri were fighting hard. Too hard…" He blocked Jagi's angry dive. The ringing muffled Canderous' voice. "I saw a break in their defenses that left their center exposed. I had to take it."

"Had to!" Jagi didn't wince when Canderous slashed his arm. "You didn't have to!"

"If I didn't, many more warriors would have died that day."

"So what? Death is for the weak!" Canderous' expression dipped. "And you had orders! A responsibility to us and us alone!"

At Jagi's next attack, he was finally able to cut through Canderous' defenses. The blade nicked his arm and blood ran down his left wrist.

Yet Canderous didn't flinch.

"I stand by my decision."

The drums, the singing, the fighting continued:

"Those who stand before us light the night sky in flame.

Our vengeance will burn brighter still

Till every last traitorous soul falls.

Forged like the saber in the fires of death, Vode an!"

I'd been so focused on the fight. So focused on possibly saving Canderous if something went wrong...that I didn't notice when something pushed at my neck. There was a hiss and both my mask and helmet fell away.

Bulky chuckled. "There we go!"

The two Basilisk riders shot out of their seats.

"Jedi!"

Oh...kriff.

The fight stopped along with the singing. All of the Mandalorians shot to their feet. Carth and I shot up as well—I grabbed my lightsaber from my pouch and held the comm in my other hand.

Carth sighed. "Jinxed it…"

"I knew you'd try something!" Jagi shouted. "I said not to bring the Jedi! He probably used his magic to influence our fight! Coward!"

The group of Mandalorian hunters waved their fists at Canderous. This time in anger. Bulky took out a knife and aimed it near me. The riders took out the blasters and aimed them at us. Canderous grunted when he met my gaze before facing the deserter again.

"I didn't even know that this idiot was here!"

"Oh, so you don't know how to keep your own men in control?"

Canderous snorted. "You think I lead him? That's funny. And you challenged my honor again!"

"Because you are dishonorable!"

"But you are worse than I am, Jagi!" Canderous' shoulders fell. "Mandalore taught us that opportunism and flexibility in battle were to be admired. You're a deserter. You all are. What I did, dishonorable or not, had no bearing on whether you ran from the war. Not just any war, you abandoned the war of a lifetime...for what? What battle was greater?"

The jeering from the Mandalorians ceased. Only the chaos of the Kashyyyk jungle interrupted the silence.

Jagi's face grew red. "I…"

"None. There were none." Canderous' face morphed into a rare expression of pain. "As for the battle of Althir…I regret their loss. I do. But we all have to face the past and move on. You didn't move on. You ran like a coward."

The blade in Jagi's hand slackened. "That is...no I don't but...but why?" His face twisted in grief and his grip tightened once more. "Why did it have to be us! We never asked to be your sacrifice!"

Canderous remained still though I sensed pain through the Force. Jagi's eyes were wide. The blood from his cut dripped from his cheek down his neck. His stare down with Canderous wavered.

"I...see." He looked out at the surrounding Mandalorians. "You are right, Ordo. We...I ran from the greatest battle I could have ever fought. I dishonored you, my clan...and myself."

Darkness flowed from the man.

"Don't—!"

But my shout came too late.

With a flick, Jagi cut his own throat with the vibroblade. Blood splattered over Canderous' chest and Jagi grabbed at his self-inflicted wound. As he fell to his knees, blood spilled at Canderous' boots. His face remained stoic as he watched Jagi choke on his blood.

Canderous stuck the vibroblade into the ground once Jagi settled in death.

"So...it is."

All of the Mandalorian hunters didn't move to attack after the fate of Jagi. Instead, they watched the scene in horror. If they moved to challenge Canderous...then they would meet the same fate as Jagi. So, they returned to their drinking and eating as if nothing had happened. I would have thought this was a sign that they moved on...but no one spoke. No one sang. Not anymore.

The fires glinted off the silver of the vibroblade. I stumbled up to Canderous who hadn't moved. I grabbed the hilt of the blade pulled it out of the ground. I tried to hand it to him. Yet, the Mando ignored me and marched away. As I stared at my own reflection in the vibroblade...and watched the blood continue to pool at my feet...an idea formed.

A solution.

...I wrote way too much again. RIP my fingers and brain.

Next chapter will be wrapping up this arc :)! I'd love to hear your thoughts about what I changed about Kashyyyk, what you think will happen next, etc. I'm trying to stray from the game to keep it interesting and hopefully, it is!

Also, the song included in this chapter is "Vode An" from the Republic Commando game. I'll be honest, never played the game, but I love the music! I only changed one lyric: "Coruscant" to "Mandalore." I thought the song fit with the themes/plot (it is considered "ancient"...I couldn't find out how old exactly).

If you wanna listen, it is the first song here: (YouTube's URL)/watch?v=wirkuuCjLCY