Chapter13
A walk in the park
They were drifting through space at the edge of the Arkaxis system heliosphere. Calm had gradually returned after their frantic fleeing from Taris The seven main crew members plus Jack was sitting in the crew lounge of the Ebon hawk. T3's angry beeping at still being busy cleaning echoeing slightly through the quiet ship as the children and refugees were restlessly sleeping
Mission was strapped into a jump seat, swaying slightly, a massive bruise on her head between her lekku, refusing to go to sleep in the now filled ship dormitories. Zaalbar was trying to matt his fur dry after requiring a hose down having been in the splash zone of eight children who really did not enjoy the first space flight they were awake for. Melissa was dressed again, her bandaged feet struck into a pair of slippers. Bastilla was unable to make eye contact with Carth. Terri and Canderous patiently waiting for Carth to start.
Carth activated the holoviewer and a planet rose into view.
"The jump T3 plotted brought us here to the Arkaxis system, classified as an orange giant. The only relevent planet here is Arkaxis five, Oxygen atmosphere. Single landmass and several islands. Human dominant species"
"Sith or Republic?" Terri asked
"Neither, technically they are classed as a protected trade world. It is a massive legal mess down there. Originally terraformed during the great expansion and the colonists abandoned during the hyperspace war. The colonists devolved to pre industrial age. Contact was made by the republic and they were rebuffed with the colonists wanting to stay at their current state due to a religion that has sprung up. That is where they got the protected status from. Re abandoned as the planet was in the middle of a Mandolorian advance column during the last war. Recently Galactocorp approached them and their council of elders gave them the right to set up farms under the strict injunction that no mining activites were to be done on planet and that the locals be left the hell alone and all technology be kept on Galactocorps side of the continent."
Carth took a breath.
"There is a spaceport on the edge of the single continent and a small settlement. Little to no contact exists between the residents and the Galactocorp employees. Sorry Mission, Zaalbar they are probably going to be xenophobic. They will be indifferent to Canderous as the Mandalorians did not bother them. But likely to be anti Republic; due to past history. The Galactocorp employees will likely be neutral."
"All this relevant why?" Mission remarked, drowsily
"Because we are out of fuel; coaxiam and food." Carth responded, " We have to head down there and hope for the best."
"So you want to politely tell us to stay on the ship, less the locals get driven insane by desire on seeing my beauty?" Mission snarked
"No, they might burn you at a stake as a witch or a succubus. Really religious remember?" Carth replied.
"Yes, Mission, pay attention." Melissa interupted
"A what and a what?" Mission responded confused
"A witch is a person that can perform acts that are not normal or often seen as evil. A lot of more primitive civilizations refer to it as magic when it is simply an application of the Force by untrained practitioners." Bastilla lectured." A succubus is a female that drains a being of their life potential usually during intercourse. Anthropologist belief it is enshrined into folklore; due to encounters with the Anzati by primitive or less advanced races."
"So stay away from the locals then, got it." Mission recapped
Terri rubbed her face, tiredly.
"We seems to be going of topic. On another note; while we are down there we might need to look up the local doctor for Mission and the kids in particular."
"Why? I am not sick." Mission replied defensively," Hey, are you saying I am diseased. Is it because I am a twi'lek?"
"No, Mission. There might be diseases we need to be inoculated against; that is particular to the system. And I am willing to bet you fifty credits your general vaccinations will be incomplete." Terri patiently explained
"Then Zaalbar will need to go as well."
"Wookies immune systems are unique in that they have a natural resistance against most of the infections and viruses others fall pray to." Carth explained.
Jack gave a cough and they turned their attention to him
"Depending on trade regulations and corporate policy on independents; me, the droids, the balls and chains and the kids will be stepping of here and restarting. Don't know what you are going to do with the others you rescued. Got to say thank you; for pulling us from that shit hole of a planet and saving our asses."
He stood up and sketched a small salute.
"Now I am sure you have your own planning to do and I best not be a part of it. What I do not know cannot hurt you."
He walked to the portside dormitory and the door closed behind him. Bastilla cleared her throat.
"It is imperative that I return to Dantoine and consult with the masters there. Coruscant would not be advisable for reasons I can not divulge."
"Terri, Melissa and myself will have to travel with her till we get relieved or reassigned." Carth continued," Zaalbar I know you have the life debt thing with Melissa. And I know Mission goes, where you go."
"Damn right, buddies for life."
Carth took a sip of water from abottle by his feet. He turned his attention to Canderous, who stared back impassively.
"I know the deal was that you recover your costs by taking what you want from Davik in repayment. Obviously that went to hell, but we are still willing to keep to the deal. If you want to step of here we will pay you half of our available credits and call it even, if you are agreeable to it?"
Canderous leaned back in his seat, slowly looking around the lounge. He pulled a nicotine stick from his vest pocket and lit it, despite or more likely because of the disapproving glances. He blew a smoke ring towards the ceiling. His gravely voice broke the silence
"Normally; I would agree with a deal like that; and let that be that, and walk away. But there is a complication."
"That being?" Terri asked.
He pointed a finger at Melissa. She tapped her chest with her finger in surprise. Canderous nodded, slightly.
"I owe her a blood debt. She saved my life on Taris and wounded my enemy on my behalf. I owe her till the debt can be repaid or I get killed fighting with her . The Resol'nare demands this. So you will be stuck with me for a while."
"And the Resol'nare is non negiotable." Terri stated, crossing her arms
Canderous gave her a deep nod before continuing.
"Elek. To not follow the Resol'nare will make me Dar Manda. I have no intention to become that."
"So is it similar to the life debt I have with Zaalbar?" Melissa asked
"A very loose interpretation; but close. I will give you a copy of the Resol'nare to study."
Terri sat back and looked at the revolving planet. She turned her gaze onto the two youngest and the hairiest of the crew. Bastilla and Carth added their gazes as well. The three grew uncomfortable under the stares being directed at them
"Before we go in we have to discuss another matter first." Carth started
"Which would be?" Melissa asked leadingly
"Three individuals going of mission; and doing their own thing." He continued, "Especially after being ordered to stay where they were."
"We knew you would need rescuing, and we saved your butts doing so." Mission defended her action
"So are you claiming prescience forced you to disobey commands?" Bastilla asked
"No we used common sense." Melissa jumped in.
Carth cleared his throat, trying to gain control of the discussion before it gets derailed again.
"Be that as it may. You three still disobeyed an order and for that punishment is due."
The older three shared mystified expressions as Mission started bouncing in her seat. She kept fumbling with the buckles to release her restraints and failing to do so,she turned to Zaalbar
"Quick, Quick. The package that is on top of my things in my bag."
Zaalbar growled in response
"Yes I am sure, she can't use it on me, I am injured. I have not made one for you yet, so you are safe as well"
Zaalbar loped of and returned with a gift wrapped package. Mission pointed to Terri, who received the package, mystified. She carefully opened it and pulled out a crudely made paddle with holes drilled into the surface
Mission smugly smirked at Melissa
"I told you so! Now drop them pants and bend over, we are getting a show tonight" She crowed
Teri dropped her head in her hands and groaned, while Carth started snickering. Bastilla just looked bewildered. Canderous lit another nicotine stick and contemplated the mysteries engraved on the smooth metal of the ceiling.
"Can someone please explain the function of that thing?" Bastilla queried.
Dust billowed as the Ebon Hawk settled on its landing struts and the engine cut out. The landing pad hissing as it started lowering to the surface with a whine of the hydraulics. The crew stepped out and looked onto the rustic world they had landed on. Apart from their ship the landing field contained a single SoroSuub freighter. They felt slightly uncomfortable and could not figure out why, till it hit them. The silence, it was too silent. For Mission and Zaalbar was that they were used to the constant background noise of Taris, for the others it was the association of noise and movement from a larger port.
They noticed movement on the far side of the landing area. Three forms started walking over from what possibly could be called the control tower, as it was the tallest structure around. Coming closer they could see all three were dressed the same. Over large brimmed hats that dropped to the sides, poncho's and tired brown pants with enough dust on them to give tatooine a run for its money, the only clean thing were their highly polished boots and as they moved a curios jingling sound could be heard.
Terri took one look at the trio before pushing Carth forward. He looked back at her indignantly, a betrayed look on his face.
"You are the pilot, you deal with this." She pointed, shooing him forward
Carth stepped forward with a sigh, Two of the three figures slowed slightly, allowing the third to step forward and stopped a few steps from. The one in front pushed the rim of his hat back slightly.
"Howdy folks. We be the customs department for this here outpost of Galactocorp on this here wonderful planet. So before we start to parley. Well me and the boys will be needing to see some identification." The leader of the group, drawled
The two beyond him started bobbing their heads and the third joined in after speaking
"Agamarians, why did it have to be Agamarians ?"Canderous was muttering
Terri pulled the girls closer. She spoke softly
"If they tell you, you are lookin' real pretty, run. Just run."
"Why?" The two chorused.
Canderous spit of the side of the ramp.
"Do you know what the definition of a virgin on Agamar is?"
"No." Melissa answered.
"It is a girl that can run faster than her brothers and cousins."
Terri turned to mission
" Whatever you do. Do not make a comment about looking for spouses at family gatherings
" They actually do that?" Mission asked, horrified
" No, they will thank you for the idea and call you real pretty and smart."
Melissa winced as yet another tray of objects clattered to the ground with a loud clang. The sound of fierce close quarters combat was coming from the exam room of the doctors office. The other people, mostly dressed in Galactocorp uniform, waiting for their turn to see the doctor; was looking at the door like someone watching a landspeeder stuck on the rails of gravtrain while the train is coming.
The nurse had already called for reinforcements twice and Terri, Carth and a nurse were busy wrangling Mission to keep her still for her shots. Missions voice and comments echoed through the silent building.
"Shh, I don't know." A woman's voice broke the momentary silence
There came the patter of little feet. Melissa felt a light pull, as a little boy tugged on her sleeve. She looked down, idly running a hand over the shoulder in which she had received her booster shot.
"Miss?"
She laid down the holozine she was reading, to give him her full attention. She bent forward to bring herself more to his size and looked into the eyes of the little face.
"How may I help you?" She asked
"You are a spacer, right?"
"You could say that I am."
"I asked mommy and she does not know. So.. you being from space might know, as you see a lot of things."
"If I do know, I can tell you."
"Why is the blue lady screaming I would rather be kriffed with a Gungans nose than take another shot? And what does kriff mean, mommy gets mad if daddy says it"
Suddenly there were two people in the waiting room who did not know where to look. Melissa tugged at her collar.
"Because she is a very bad girl. And that is a very bad word" Bastilla remarked from her seat
"Not helping, Bastilla." Melissa ground out.
Carth settled in his seat in the crew lounge. A still sulking Mission, sat in her jump seat refusing to look at anyone. Huffing on a regular basis when her sulking was being ignored which was basically the whole time.
"So after an eventful and colourful day, I think it is time for a daily update." He started.
"So when are we lifting off?" Bastilla asked.
Carth sat abck inti his chair and rubbed his neck to loosen the tight muscles. He knew his answer would not be appreciated.
" This is a good news and bad news situation."
" Continue, please." Bastilla invited
" The good news is we are docking for free. The fuel will only be available in a weeks time when the next fuel shipment arrives. The only fuel they have is for their power generator. To make it even better they think there might be coaxiam in the shipment. So we might be here longer."
" How can an airfield, even one this small not have fuel?" Terri asked incredulous.
" You might have noticed that large spot of char at the far edge of the field. Their technician crossed the coaxium line with a fuel line and there you go."
"Where did they get that idiot?" Melissa asked stunned
"Agamar." Cart responded
Silence greeted that statement. Six heads turned to look at the droid standing in the corner. T3 bleated that it was not his fault and that Carth should have given clearer instructions.
"So what do we do in the mean time?" Melissa asked.
Carth pointed to T3
"Well me and the tin can, can use the time to go over the ship from fore to aft. Check for any problems and trackers and failsafes. Change the launch codes." HE shrugged," As for the rest of you; there is a mission board by the tower if you want to do loose jobs. There is another option as well."
"That is?"
"The dockmaster's wife is the local teacher. She requested if we can give small presentations to the children. Though we have to keep Mission out of it, before she traumatises more children with her language and antics."
"What kind of jobs?" Canderous asked
"Hunting mostly. The farmers have been losing stock to cannoks, cath hounds and something called a chacabra. Some other odd jobs for quick credits"
Both Zaalbar and Canderous perked up on the chance to go hunting. There was a rap on the bulkhead and Jack strolled in
"How did it go with dockmaster?" Terri asked
"Got the concession to set up a trading post and a tavern. You are looking at the new marshal as well, so no misbehaving or I will be using you to build the jail."
"Strange for a company man to be so generous." Carth remarked
Jack shrugged.
"I asked about it. He said that it was inevitable that there would be more people in the settlement than company staff. Setting up a civilian structure and have it run by them would be a lot more efficient. As the operations expands more infrastructure would be needed and if the company do not have to worry about it the better for the company."
Jack gave a wry smile.
"The girls are delighted with getting to play city designers. They and the school teacher have been drawing plans for the last few hours."
"That sounds costly, the company footing the bill?" Cart asked
"Partially, I will be paying for my buildings and any house or business will be responsible for their own costs. The company will be footing the bill for municipal structures on a loan system."
He gave an akward cough
"I will be taking half of the girls you rescued in to work for me. The others want to talk about a business deal with you. Sounds like they want to return to their trade."
"And what is your take on that as the new marshal? And what does Vanessa and Doreen think about it?" Terri asked
"As the marshal, there are no laws against it yet, so no official position. Doreen says it is going to happen anyway so we might as well make it legal and make sure the girls are protected, Vanessa does not like it but agrees, bit hypocritical that' seeing as she wants to see legalised gambling"
"Straight as a die, Vanessa? Gambling?" Mission asked incredulously
"Does not look like it, but that woman is a card shark." Jack grinned
"Sound like you picked a lot of work for yourself." Carth remarked
"True, but I am really excited about it as well. Should be quite a few changes in a few years.'' He shook his head." Never thought I would go from moaning about the government to being the government."
Two days later the two girls were standing in front of the mission board. Mission having complained about being bored; despite having declined doing a few jobs before hand. Melissa had done one or two repair jobs and had followed Canderous and Zaalbar on one of their hunting trips.
Studying the board intently, Mission pointed to one of the listed tasks.
"Here is an easy one. Walk to a place; plant a sensor, walk back and get paid."
"Somehow I do not think it will be so easy." Melissa replied" but that is one that does not requiring to do dirty jobs no one wants to do or shooting cannoks."
"If you two are going to take that one take Bastilla with you." Terri spoke behind them
They turned with shrieks of surprise.
" Don't do that." Mission gasped
Terri gave an unrepentant grin.
"Why should I let my skills fade when I have the perfect material to practise with?"
Mission looked away with a huff, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Why should we take miss buzzkill with?" Mission demanded
Terri seemded to ponder the question for a moment.
"It would be your nice deed for the day. She put the children to sleep with her lecture about what a Jedi is and their responsibilities are. Then could not understand when the children were unhappy when she refused to show force techniques. She can use the distraction though she will never admit it"
The thunder of the waterfall become louder the closer they came to it. The path to it seemed to be frequently used as the foliage along of it had been cleared fairly widely to accommodate movement. Bastilla paused taking in the sights as they entered a clearing along the bank of the churning river. The air was filled with mist as the water dropped over the sudden change in height. Melissa followed her in, face slightly flushed from exertion, holding Mission up. The city girl clearly not adapted for the rigours of cross county travel.
"Why did we do this again?" Mission demanded
"So that you can see sights like this." Melissa answered
"I am pretty sure it was to get paid." Mission argued
"Quit whining and enjoy it for a moment."
Bastilla nodded in agreement with that sentiment. She reached out in the Force and sighed in contentment as the peacefull aura of the area filled her senses. Without noticing she sank down into a meditation pose, her eyes closing and her breathing deepening and slowing.
Mission huffed as she saw this.
"So now we see who is going to do the work." She snarked
"Mission, give it a rest. Yes, she is a bit stuck up and holier that thou. But she is not that bad really. Let her have this moment, she has gone through a lot as well."
"Fine" Mission sighed.
Melissa looked up and frowned as she saw quickly gathering clouds.
"We may need to hurry, looks like there is a storm coming." Melissa said," Any more rain like yesterday and the river may burst its banks."
They proceeded to start placing the sensors, Melissa keeping a close eye on the weather. She felt the first raindrops splatter against her. She turned around to call her companions for tem to leave, thunder grwling in the distance. Mission standing very close to the edge of the embankment
"Careful on the edge; the ground my collapse under you. The ground tends to be unstable at spots like those." Melissa warned
Mission jumped up and down.
"See nothing happened."
"Quit messing around. It is time to go."
"You are just being afraid. Nothing will happen"
Her smug look turned to horror as the ground started caving in under her. She let out a surprised shriek, wind milling her arms to regain her balance. Two things happened in short sequence
Melissa lunged forward to grab her. Bastilla opened her eyes and grabbed Mission in a force pull. Melissa overextended as her target was not where she expected it to be, her fingers barely brushing Mission's. She stumbled forward, the edge crumbling faster and went over the edge into the churning water with a surprised cry; and was immediately swept away. Bastilla trying to force pull her back but failing to grasp her in the force.
Mssion was back on her feet and running to see if she could see Melissa
Bastilla reached for her comlink and with a dropping sensation realised that she had forgotten to atke hers as it had been charging on the Ebon Hawk.
"Mission, use your comlink, call for help."
Mission frantically slapped her pockets.
"I don't have mine." She cried in panicked
Bastilla made her decision.
"Stay right there I will be back with help soon. Stay away from the edge."
She turned and leaned heavily into the force before starting her sprint back towards the landing field
Terri was standing leaning against the landing strut of the boarding ramp looking out at the sudden thunderstorm and pouring rain as a bedraggled Bastilla entered the sodden landing field in a force assisted sprint. She was a fast moving blur. She straightened up in alarm. Bastilla came to a stop, breathing deeply
"We have to gather a search and rescue party." She gasped.
"What happened?"
"Melissa fell into the river and was washed away. I could not save her."
Melissa felt the water envelop her, crushing the air from her. Desperately she kicked up to reach the surface. The water a grey swirling mass above her. She broke through with a gasp, her eyes widened as she saw the coming drop. For a moment she felt a tugging sensation, slightly pulling her back before the pull broke. She went over the edge with a scream of panic.
The drop felt like it went on forever before being crushed again in a watery blanket. She broke surface, feeling the weight she was carrying pulling her down, gasping in desperation for breath. She shucked her backpack as she was being rushed along the river, her boots followed shortly after being pulled down momentarily again. She came up. Spitting water from her mouth. Struggling she tied to keep afloat as the water battered her , desperately looking for an embankment and only finding grey stone cliff faces.
What little air she had was expelled as she struck a submerged rock, she spat some blood having bitten her tongue on impact,before being swept further. She saw a tree trunk coming towards her, but did not have the strength to dodge it. It hit with a glaring blow and she felt warm trickle starting from her head. Her already bruised ribs and stomach hit a branch. Desperately she grabbed onto the branch and trunk. The noise of the river changed again into the thundering roar of another waterfall
She woke to find herself on top of a tree trunk in drifting in a small eddy bumping against the shores ground, the roar of the river audible from the inlet of the small cove. She was cold, colder than she had ever been before in her life. Her feet splashed in the water as she staggered to the shore and dropped down on the ground. She wanted to curl into a bundle, she was so cold
"Up, you have to get up. You lie down, you die." She spoke to herself
Her head was pounding and she felt a momentary pang of nausea and dizziness. She bent over as paroxysm of shivers racked through her. Looking around she saw a dilapidated hut standing a distance from the shore. She staggered to it.
The door opened with lift latch. The air was musty and dust settled on every surface her eyes were fixed on the fireplace though, a pile of dry wood standing next to it. A pile of clothing lying in front of the long dead ashes in the fireplace. Her clothing dropped to the floor as she moved to the dry clothing. Her hands and body shaking as she desperately pulled on the dry clothes The large shirt and tunic did not help much, the brown robe gave a little bit more warmth. Fingers trembling she packed some dried grass in a basket next to the wood on top of the old ashes. Two stones were lying close by. She slammed the rock to create a spark, blowing on the grass every time a spark landed. She started to sob as he kept on banging the rocks together. Eventually a small ribbon smoke came forth followed by a small flame that grew as the grass caught fire, She placed smaller pieces of wood first feeding the fire slowly, forcing her self to stay slow so that she does not cause the fire to go out.
Heat slowly warmed her up as she sat hunched forward shivering deeply. She kept feeding the fire. Her drowsiness increasing by the moment, the larger the fire grew the more sleepy she felt. She pulled herself into a tight bundle, teeth chattering.
Eventually she lost her battle and drifted off to sleep curled up in front of the fire, unaware as a large blue haze formed in the air beside her. The haze formed large man who knelt down and tenderly ran a finger across her brow. Her frame still crunched up and shivering uncontrollably.
"What is happening to her is not your fault." A second voice spoke
"The action of the padawan is the action of the master." He replied.
"Even when the padawan has become a master?"
"More so then, especially if you kept quiet when you knew they were not ready for their task."
"You know you can not interfere or give her guidance."
"Yes, but nothing is stopping me from watching over her, especially here."
" Did you guide her here?"
" No, that was the will of the force."
"The longer you stay the clearer she can be seen."
" That may very well be what needs to happen
Bastilla came out of her meditation with a small smile, she pushed her sodden hair from her face. Cartha and Terri were pacing along the bank, oblivious to the rain falling down on them, soaking them to the bone.
" Carth, Terri"
They spun around, hope etched on their faces.
"I could feel her, she is alive. Her presence is stronger than I have ever felt before."
Terri bent over hands on her knees in relief. She straightened after a moment
"Can you tell us where she is?" Terri demanded
"Her presence dimmed again, the only thing I could tell she was far to the east of here."
Terri looked hopefully up at Carth. He sadly shook his head.
"We do not have enough fuel to go searching, if we had a more precise location we could have gone, Far to the east is too vague and with Bastilla unable to pinpoint a location…" He broke off.
The sound of sniffing was heard from inside the tent that had been set up on reaching the clearing. Mission was swaddled up in a rescue blanket sitting miserably inside the tent.
"It is my fault, I just had to show I knew better when she warned me."
"Then it is my fault as well for not pulling you both back." Bastilla replied mildly
" No it is mine alone, you saved me from my stupidity."
" Mission it was an accident. No one is to blame." Terri said, dejectedly." If you want to blame anyone, blame me for allowing you to take the job."
" Let us stop apportioning blame, it gets us nowhere." Carth interjected
Terri's comlink crackled. She eagerly grabbed it from her belt.
" We got news." A gruff voice came
"Canderous?"
"Me and the furball found a track running parallel to the river. Area is lousy with cannoks and kath hounds. We are going to have to fall back or have someone bring us more ammunition."
Terri heard Zaalbar howling over the link as well as the sound of his bowcaster firing. There was brief chatter from Canderous;s rotary blaster
"Hold your position, me and Bastilla will come to you as soon as we can grab extra ammunition."
" Hurry up, we are starting to run low. Bring some food as well. We could be out here for a while."
Terri closed the comlink and turned to the other three.
" Lets go, the longer we take the longer she is out there. Carth once we get back keep the engines ready. Mission get dry clothes and go wait in the clinic, the moment we call grab the doctor and get him on the Hawk"
Melissa woke stiff and sore in places she never though possible. She blearily wondered what woke her. It came again. The door rattled on impact and a raspy growl came from outside. She reached for her blaster and felt only loose cloth. A hint of blue marked where her clothes were. She pulled the combat suit closer and only saw a broken strap where her holster had been.
There came another impact and growl, the door splintering, before a receding yowl came as whatever it was gave up and retreated looking for easier prey. Another growl came, this time from within as her stomach demanding sustenance. Looking around her heart fell to her stomach as she realised the odds of finding food were slim.
Her utility vest rendered up a protein bar and the few cabinets in the hut, nothing. Slowly chewing the tasteless bar she reviewed her options and realised she was screwed.
"One I can stay here and hope for rescue, I have enough water but no food and something trying to batter its way in." She spoke to herself," Two I can try to make my way up or down river and hope I find a settlement, no shelter, fire or food."
She fed another piece of wood to the fire and watched it flare up again higher from the low flames it had been. She felt a twinge from her ribs as she moved. She pushed down on the ground with a wince to stand up.
"Might as well see what the damage is. And then see what I have to work with."
Her chest and stomach was a solid purple mass, when she pressed down on her ribs they were sore but solid as far as she could feel. She stopped pressing down with a gasp, a sheen of sweat on her brow.
" Lets not do that again any time soon."
She braced herself knowing she would have to continue with er self examination, from what she could feel of her back was another mass of bruises. Her legs and arms were bruised and scratched, and she felt an open but not bleeding gap on her forehead moving to her hairline. She depleted her mini medkit spraying the wound and dressing it.
She turned her attention to clothing. The combat suit was beyond repair but still wearable to an extent, the only real value it had were the armour inserts, the clothing she had appropriated was for a being much larger than her and fit like a tent, the robe was fairly warm though. The boots were several sizes too large. Her utility vest was devoid of anything useful and she discarded it as unnecessary weight
Her only weapon was the boot dagger bought on Taris that had been on an ankle sheath. She searched the hut for anything usefull and came up with two flimsy and utterly useless knifes, She pulled the drawer from the cabinet and threw it at the wall. She sat down in despair, tears burning in the corners her eyes, a light hiccup escaped her.
"Keep it together, Melissa. Bawling won't help. Be a big girl now."
She forced herself to take deep breaths to calm herself. She closed her eyes to centre herself. Deep in; out. Deep in; out.
She felt a pull in her. Her eyes opened, the pull came from the bed, underneath the bed. No, underneath the floor boards.
She stood up and pulled the bed away. Her knife slid into a gap by the floorboard, the planks pulling away easily to reveal a cheap footlocker.
She pulled it out, back and arms protesting in pain, muttering curses but refusing to give up. She dropped it with a sigh onto the floor once she had lifted it clear from the hole. The lock popped easily to the applied pressure and she opened the locker.
A small glass and steel pyramid lit from within by a purple light was lying to a now familiar tube. She pulled it out and pointed the projecter away from her. The blade lit with the familiar snap-hiss and a silver blade projected. Despite the grip being slightly large for her hand, it felt like it belonged to her. A sensation she had never felt with the other two blades she had retrieved. She lifted the pyramid and curiously looked into it. The edges of it twitched for a moment
"Go" A feeling urged her.
The door closed behind her as she stepped from the hut. She was dressed in the tattered remains of her combat suit covered by the large robe. The strange pyramid tucked in a pocket of the robe. Her feet encased in the overlarge boots, having torn the tunic she found to strips and tied it around her feet and ankles till she had a fairly decent fit.
Noting paw prints in the sand leading to the hut she stopped and inspected it. Trying to remember what Zaalbar taught her the one time she had gone along with him and Canderous on a hunting trip. One print was almost double the size of her hand, the impression fairly deep indicating a substantial weight. Four claw marks indented as well. Not a Cannok or a Kath hound then as the kath hound normally had three claw marks. The difference in spacing between prints suggested that it was fairly large as well, she spotted a tuft of black fur on the door where it had impacted. So it was large, black furred and heavy for what it was worth.
"Great deduction. The master hunter strikes again." She muttered." Up or down? Now would be a great time for on of those creepy feelings."
The grating bark of a kath hound came from down river.
"Up it is then."
Following the path of flowing water is easy in theory. Keep an eye on the water as you walk and follow the embankment. The problem with that theory was that natural water flow followed the path of least resistance not the path easiest walked. Melissa had found herself having to find detours as she walked, not wanting to scale impassable points or having to try and swim against the still raging current to keep her on her path.
Her feet were starting to chafe, her body hurt and her stomach was protesting again. When she could she stopped to scoop up water, hoping it was clean enough to drink. There was a rustle in the bushes to her right. She stopped, it came again.
She lit the blade and swung as a mass moved towards her. A now headless avian creature stumbled for about ten feet before the body collapsed
"Great how do I cook this now, eating it raw is not an option."
She carried her price till she found another relatively flat piece of embankment. Struggling to make an incision she finally managed to gut it, but was left with the feathers on the outside. She recalled a piece of lore from basic training that she had thought to be utter nonsense at that time.
"If this works I am buying that drill instructor a case of whatever he drinks"
Digging a hole with piece of flat stone she lined the pit she dug with stones washed in the river. Placing the now mud covered avian in the middle she packed larger stones on top before piling a large stack of wood recovered from the tree lines on top. Using the heat of the lightsaber to ignite her fire.
The fire roared away as she patiently sat and waited as the light was slowly dying, flinching every now and then as yet another piece of rock pinged as it shattered from the heat.
Pushing the remnant of the fire and the still hot embers away with a stick, she cleared her cooking pit. Lifting the covering stones away she was hit with the smell of roasting meat. She felt her mouth water. The mud had settled into a baked clay she had to first crack with another rock before being able to peel away the clay using her knife, the feathers and skin lifting with the clay leaving soft white meat underneath. Despite being virtually tasteless she had never felt more satisfied with a meal before and found herself to have consumed half of the large avian before she stopped gorging herself.
The barking of kath hounds intermingled with the grunts and squeals from cannoks became louder as night was rapidly falling. She debated for a moment whether to continue in the dark. With the sounds coming closer she chose discretion over valour and climbed the nearest large tree she could find and settled as high as she could.
Bastilla forced the group to make camp as night fell, despite their protest that they were fine to continue. She picked a small clearing and walked between the trees, lobbing of branches using her lightsaber. Zaalbar catching on to what she was planning started to pull the branches into place to form a bivouac. They all entered the structure and sat down within with Zaalbar lighting a fire at the front. Terri and Canderous pulled of their boots and started changing their socks. She felt a nudge against her arm and saw Terri holding a pair out to her.
"Rule of jungle survival, change your socks more frequently than your underwear." Terri remarked.
They ate the tasteless meals ready to eat in silence. Not even Zaalbar wanting to eat another.
"I will take first watch." Bastilla offered
"Two on, two off." Terri suggested.
Canderous grunted in agreement with Zaalbar already sleeping. Terri set herself against her pack and got as comfortable as she could
Dawn was breaking with Terri waking up, surprisingly refreshed. Bastilla was seated in a meditation pose, with Canderous and Zaalbar both still sleeping, quietly for once, considering the snores she could hear from the male bunks on the Hawk. The fire was extinguished, not having been fed during the night
She felt irritation at Bastilla for resting on the job and was about to nudge her. Bastilla spoke without opening her eyes.
"Nothing approached us in the night, I could feel her presence again. She was in some pain but she feels closer."
Terri was about to open her mouth to speak
"You needed the rest and the Force gives me all I need. I cannot sense her again but the Force is urging me to hurry.
She woke to the sound of battle underneath her tree. Growls and barks resounded before the night echoed with pained yelps. A victorious roar followed by the sounds of flesh ripping and the crunching of bones. She did not sleep again for the rest of the night.
Dawn showed a bloodstained scene of carnage, a pack of kath hounds had been ripped apart and scattered around the tree base. Her injuries had stiffened again during the night and slowly she climbed down. The ground around the tree was torn up by the battle the night before, a clear paw print stood out. It matched the one outside the hut. She moved to where she had cooked her meal the night before, after a necessary pit stop to the bushes. The kath hounds had dug up what had remained of the avian she had repacked under the stones, leaving only a few scarred bone shards
"Knew I should have made another fire on top." She remonstrated herself.
Her feet were red and blistered when she pulled of the boots to do a foot inspection. She rewrapped the torn strips after having run them through the water and pulled the boots back on. The water sloshed in the boot and she winced with the first few steps but forced herself to get moving again. She paused only to pick up a sturdy branch, using the lightsaber she trimmed it down to make a walking stick
Melissa was back into a tree. A kath hound was jumping up at her, claes gouging into the tree bark. She had spotted the hound stalking her when it had disturbed another avian and had scrambled up the tree. She saw the sun lowering towards the horizon.
" I don't have time for this." She said
The kath hound barked at her.
" Oh, piss off."
She activated the saber and waited. The hound junped again. She dropped from her branch, feeding the surprised Kath hound a moutfull of superheated of plasma on the way down. She dropped with wince, her feet protesting vigourously.
"Not the brightest of ideas that."
The night was spent in a tree again with no rest as dark shape batted against the tree in intervals, roaring and growling. Her feet having progressed to bleeding; by now. Somewhere along the way she had lost her walking stick.
The bright colours drew her attention, the combination of red and white nicely highlighted, against the background of green and brown. Her mouth watering, she remembered her survival training in basic to always take a sample bite first and wait for any reactions. If it is bitter or acidic it is usually poisonous. She forced herself to be patient.
The berries on the plant tasted bitter and she spat out the bite she took. The white tube like plant tasted bland. She waited for a while ignoring the protests of her stomach before eating more of them.
She was stumbling along by now, her body racked by frequent diarrhoea. The symptoms had started with lurid hallucinations an hour after eating the tube like plant, followed by hallucinations and the most intense heat flushes imaginable, causing her to strip down to escape the intolerable heat as she was lost in an other wordly experience. The diarrhoea had started shortly after the hallucinations had ended and she had found herself stumbling around the woods, the river not within sight or sound. She lost track of what she was doing there, just concentrating on moving. Stumbling and falling frequently.
A set of predatory yellow eyes followed the movement of the stumbling prey, it was time to end the hunt.
Melissa gave a short sob as she looked up the small cliff face she had stumbled into. A growl came from behind her and the large feline stalked into view. Melissa stumbled turning to face it. She pulled the blade from the sheath on her ankle, knowing it was the end of the line for her.
"Come on then." She rasped past dry lips.
Zaalbar howled excitedly from where he was scouting up ahead. He kept on howling , calling them to come closer. Canderous looked up sharply.
"Furball has found some something, move."
Zaalbar was holding onto a large robe. He shook it at them growling excitedly
"It has her scent." Bastilla translated
Zaalbar motioned at them to stop as he cast about looking for her tracks. He started rushing away from the riverbank they had been following, dropping the robe. Bastilla paused as she recognised the type of over robe. She lifted it and felt the weight within. She gasped as she recognised the pyramid. She slipped it into her pocket, dropping the robe
"Bastilla, move!" Terri shouted a distance away already
The next items found were a pair of large blood filled boots, Zaalbar was starting to now mewl in concern and picked up his pace. The next a torn and tattered combat suit with a lightsaber attached to the belt. Bastilla pausing only to clip the lightsaber to her belt. The last two pieces of clothing showed they were still on the track. Zaalbar stopped a few times nose twitching at an acrid smell before moving on. They burst into a clearing to see a large dark shape jump at a pale figure.
Bastilla launched herself forward in a Force jump, landing she struck her palm out in a force push shoving the black mass of an unmoving and bleeding figure. She ran forward and dropped to her knees beside the figure.
A quick check to the neck revealed a shallow pulse. She pushed down hard with hands onto the bleeding gashes going down the girls arm. The pounding of feet coming closer
"Medkit!" She screamed over her shoulder
Terri slid to a stop beside her frantically ripping open a medkit.
"Canderous! Call in the Ebon Hawk." Bastilla called out
Zaalbar approached the large cat and prodded it with his bowcaster. No movement. He pushed it over with a foot. The carcass rolled to reveal its open mouth with a dagger stuck up through the roof of its mouth. Canderous walked up replacing his comlink to his belt. He gave the carcass a look before looking to where the two women were frantically working on an unmoving figure.
"A worthy kill and great courage shown, do you agree?" Canderous stated
Zaalbar grunted in agreement. He decided to honour the achievement of the holder of his lifedebt. His cry of triumph echoed through the wood. The residents of the wood responded to the victory cry with barks and squeals as a counter challenge. Canderous moved to join the women to see if any more help was required
Mission was out of the hatch before the landing platform was halfway down; dragging the rescue basket along with her to the group huddled by the small cliff face. She stopped, frozen, as she saw the very pale face sticking out above the rescue blanket, a large pack of bandages on her shoulder tinting red.
The settlement doctor pushed her to the side to get to the patient, a large bag in his hands . Carth came up and grabbed her in a one armed hug as she started to tremble watching the four around the girl lifting her into the rescue basket and grabbed onto the sides to carry her back to the ship. Detachedly she watched as Zaalbar dragged a large black shape to the ship. She felt Carth steering her back to the ship rapidly, almost pushing her along.
Melissa woke to find herself bobbing in a pale green fluid with something stuck to her face. She heard hammering against the glass of the tube and a blurry figure motioning upwards. She felt a pressure drop in the tube. She kicked off against the glass moving up where two sets of arms waited to pull her out.
She woke again in a slightly uncomfortable bed, pain in her right shoulder. Gentle breathing came from her side. The smell of antiseptic hit her nose. She slowly looked around at the sterile white room. Terri was asleep in a chair to the side of the bed.
The smell of fresh caf came from the door.
"You look like something a rancor crapped out."
Mission was standing in the doorway two takeaway cup in hand. Melissa found her attention fixed on the cups, her throat dry as paper. Mission followed her eyes path.
"Sorry, not for you. Nothing per mouth. Doctors orders."
She placed one cup down on the bedside table and took a large sip from her cup settling herself down in a chair.
"You are a sadist." Melissa croaked
"At least I am not an exhibitionist. That's two planets you got naked on now."
"I have to agree on that point." Terri spoke from the side
Melissa followed the movements of two cups as sips were taken.
"Though the behaviour is getting worse, Taris it was getting naked and streaking on the Hawk, here it is getting high and traipsing buck naked through the woods. And here everyone though Mission would be the bad influence."
"No I am not the bad girl, she is." Mission stated smugly
"You may want to avoid eye contact with Canderous for a while." Terri said, teasingly," he certainly got an eye full. Me and Bastilla were okay, nothing we have not seen before but poor grandpa Candy, shame on you."
Melissa proved that she had recovered from her blood loss in a spectacular fashion. A cough came from the doorway.
"If you are done embarrassing my patient I need a few moments with her." The doctor spoke
He looked at Mission
"As for being a good girl, my nurses strenuously disagree with that statement."
Mission grumbled her way out of the room. Terri paused at the doorway, snapping her fingers as she remembered something.
"I nearly forgot; I have a message for you from Zaalbar. He insisted I deliver it to you as quickly as possible."
"What is it?"
"The next time you want to talk about dying fur, remember you are the one with the unnatural fur colour."
Mission started cackling from the passageway as Terri exited a wide smile on her face. Leaving a sputtering Melissa behind with a doctor trying to hide his chuckles.
Melissa found her self seated at the head of a hastily assembled table in front of the Ebon Hawk, trying not to make eye contact with Canderous seated at the other end. Something was being roasted on a spit and the table groaned at the weight of food and mugs of ale. Mission was mulishly staring into her mug of water. Canderous stood up and banged his mug on the table to get everyone's attention.
"Ke'sush!"
He walked to the spit and carved a piece from it. HE brought the plate and put before Melissa. Terri motioned her to eat it. The meat was soft and tasty with a strong taste.
"Oya! She has eaten that which tried to eat her. I, Canderous aliit Ordo, have witnessed the hunt in the presence of another hunter and two witnesses. I declare Melissa aliit Carpenter to no longer be an ad; to have ascended to adulthood on completing her bajur. I bestow her Aliik upon her at the completion of her Verdgotten, the checabra."
He placed a metal tag in front of her, it was in the shape of a cat.
"The aliik of aliit Carpenter . When she graduates to wearing beskar'gam may it be proudly displayed. That is if she remembers to keep her kute on"
He raised his mug in a toast and the others followed with a cheer. Mission trying to swap mugs with Bastilla.
The party went on into the night. Bastilla bowed out early.
It was well before dawn when an irate Bastilla was woken by the insistent chirping of her comlink.
"What is it?" She barked.
"Knight Shen; would you mind stepping outside? There is official business I have to conduct with you." Jack said, apologetically
She walked down the loading ramp to see her six companions sitting on the ground in a square marked by four poles. A group of twenty in another square, a few steps away. Glares were being exchanged between the groups. Both sides were in a dishevelled state and bruising starting to form on many.
Jack was standing by a man, a newly fabricated badge was on his shirt. Vanessa and Doreen behind him, glaring the two groups into submission
"Knight Shen would you please step over to our temporary incarceration facility?" Jack stated officially
Shaking her head she stepped into the space between the two squares and faced Jack
"Marshal, how may I be of assistance?"
Jack cleared his throat
"Knight Shen. I have to regretfully inform you that the crew of your ship has been detained for public drunkenness ; disorderly conduct and public brawling. Captain Meyers has agreed that his crew plead guilty to the same charges and pay a fine for their release, payable to Magistrate Doreen Chen. Would you be willing to do the same for your crew?"
"What would the fine be?"
" Two hundred credits a head. There is an additional fine for public nudity for miss Vao to the amount of fifty credits."
"Public Nudity?" Bastilla echoed
"I believe the description depicting the event was described as showing a full moon."
Mandalorian to English
Resol'nare: Six actions. Manadalorian code of life
Elek: Yes/correct
Dar Manda.: Without honour
Ke'sush: Attention
Oya: Draw near, greeting
Aliit: Clan
Ad (ad) : Child, son, daughter
Bajur: education, preparation for life and survival
Aliik: Sigil
Verdgotten: trail by combat
beskar'gam: Armour
kute: underwear, body suit