Chapter 58
A few moments of peace
Terri and Bastila walked out of the loading bay of the Satin Claw. The raw grief of the families was like a punch to the stomach, the reunion of Matton with his family overshadowed by their shared grief on learning the truth of their loved ones demise.
They looked at the rather beat up freighter standing next to the Hawk.
"There she is our new ship." Terri said
"I believe the term is hunk of junk." Bastila replied
"For shame do you have no pride in your ship, considering you paid for half of it." Terri said teasingly
Matton came walking out, his daughter refusing to let go of his hand. He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
"I cannot thank you two enough, not only did you get all of them out of that sandpit but we have enough to start over." He said
Terri pointed to the ship
"Better get your workshop up and running, that ship needs to get fixed as soon as possible." Terri said
"As soon as my workshop is ready I will start, I will do it at cost for you." Matton replied
"No you will charge us full rates." Terri objected
"You know a normal customer would not quibble about a discount." A new voice spoke
Matton's wife came into view, holding a sleeping toddler. Terri fought hard not to grimace at seeing the slave marking that had been applied to the toddlers arm. All of the people rescued had been branded as slaves when the ship was overdue on returning. Bastila took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, her own hand trembling with suppressed emotion.
"Well we Jedi are gullible when it comes to things like this. In fact I should argue for an extra ten percent to be added to the workcard." Bastila stated
"And if you quibble about that, we will force persuade you otherwise." Terri joked
A landspeeder came to a stop and Melissa and Vanessa stepped out of it. Terri pointed to the two
"That is Melissa and Vanessa. Melissa is part of our crew and Vanessa is with the town council. She will be helping all of you to get housing and jobs here if you want it." Terri explained
"Like Matty has said, you have already done so much for us. We can take care of ourselves, there is no need to go out of your way like that for us." Matton's wife replied
"Nonsense, with the amount of work that is coming available the town needs all the workers they can get, or they will have to get more Agamarians to come work here." Terri waved of the objection
"And we do not want more Agamarians, we already have too many as it is," Vanessa spoke up, having reached the group
Bastila and Terri gave the woman a quick hug.
"Where are the brats?" Terri asked
"With Jack at his place. They insisted on working there for extra credits." Vanessa answered
"Their pocket money not going far enough?" Terri questioned
"You mean the very large amounts that get paid into their IGBG accounts that was not set up by Jack, Doreen or myself?" Vanessa counter questioned
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Bastila replied
"Or would that be the monthly deposit in their accounts we opened for them labelled snack money under the depositors name?" Vanessa continued
"That one would be me, Mission and Zaalbar." Melissa confessed
"You three need to stop. We have a hard enough time to get them and Jack to eat healthily without you lot enabling their bad habits, especially Ruby." Vanessa stated firmly
"Fine, but you get to tell Ruby that her cookie supply is going to take a major hit," Melissa answered, raising her hands
Melissa looked at her chronograph.
"Got to go, I have an errand to run." She said
"Going back to the beach?" Terri asked
"No, The Buirs are packing up today and returning to Kownrest with everyone. Spoke to Canderous he says it is worse there than evacuating under constant artillery fire."
"With all those teenage girls there I can only imagine." Vanessa shuddered
"If I go there I will get roped in and then I will never escape." Melissa said crossing her arms
"You are their clan head, they are your responsibility." Bastila pointed out
"Which is why I send my able bodied assistants to go and assist." Melissa declared smirking
"Who might those be?" Terri asked
"Juhani, Mission, HK and T3." Melissa listed off
"How did you get Mission to go?" Bastila asked
"Bought her a new swimsuit and told her I will see her at the beach. If she misunderstood my intentions it is not my fault." Melissa said innocently
"We will see you at the ship then." Terri said, shaking her head.
Melissa was finishing the last pastry on her plate when Jason Savage sat down opposite her. She lifted her cup of caf in greeting still busy chewing.
"Heard you came back with yet another ship." Jason stated in lieu of greeting
"Not mine, Terri and Bastila bought that one." Melissa said after swallowing
"Some interesting carbon scoring on both ships as well." Jason remarked
"Galaxy is a dangerous place." Melissa shrugged
Melissa lifted her hand to draw a waiters attention. Jason leaned back as the local teenager hurried over.
"Another plate and two cafs please." Melissa ordered
"Of course miss Wren." The waiter eagerly said
Melissa looked around the interior of the diner, despite being build from local products it was made to look like a run of the mill Alterra diner from the menu to the decorations, and of course the caf being made from imported beans
"Feeling a bit nostalgic?" Melissa asked, waving a hand around
"Merely setting up for a niche market. With all those from home running around here a bit of nostalgia could be profitable." Jason replied
Melissa reached down beside her chair and produced a portable dataterminal.
"Fresh from Czerka Trade station six, Kashyyk." Melissa said
"And why should I be interested in that?" Jason asked smiling
"Then maybe the contents of Malak's apprentice datapads would be more to your taste." Melissa replied, nonchalantly.
She managed to hide her smirk as she managed to shock the Alterrran spy. The return of the waiter gave him time to recover, waiting till the boy had left the area, he gave a light cough before speaking
"And just how am I supposed to share this information with interested parties?" He asked
"You could use your shiny new holocom relay." Melissa suggested
"My what?" Jason replied
"You know the three crates of "Agamar coffee beans" that you received two days ago." Melissa stated, lifting a pastry to her mouth
"So we are offering an alternative drink, not that strange." Jason answered
"Not listed on your menu, oh and be careful of your power usage you do not want to run up a hefty account with the council, the generators are still being rebuilt after all." Melissa countered
Jason lifted his hands in defeat, a smile on his face. He then lifted his cup in acknowledgement of her victory. The two started chatting about local events while Melissa finished her second plate.
Jason waved the waiter away when Melissa signed for the bill to be brought.
"On the house, as is your tip to the waiter." Jason said
Melissa nodded in thanks and stood up. She gave a wave to the security camera on her way out. In the concealed basement a woman was looking at the monitor in disgruntlement.
"Now she is just rubbing it in." She muttered angrily
Jack's trader station and pub was a study in contrasts. The trader station was built to appear as modern as possible with the pub being as rustic as can be with stone walls wooden flooring and table and chairs. Jack was currently behind the bar polishing glasses
Carth was seated in front of the bar, a plate of snacks next to his glass of beer. Using the reflection of the display case he was watching the booth to his back. Zaalbar had sequestered himself there for the third day running, though today was an improvement on the previous days. Instead of alcohol a large pitcher of milk stood next to several packs of cookies. He was currently in a stare off with his table partner over a sabac deck
"Two pairs." He grunted out
"One pair, and three of a kind." Ruby chirped happily
Sighing Zaalbar pushed over his pile of candy before taking several cookies from the communal plate. Carth turned his attention back to Jack
"Where are the rest of the children?" He asked
Jack jerked his thumb to the aperture behind him
"Kitchen, doing prep work for the midday lunch rush." He said
"The wives not complaining about child labour?" Carth asked
"More complaining that the kids do not want to work for them despite being offered more credits." Jack grinned
"What could they want with more credits I know they are already getting some from the crew as it is." Carth stated
"They are still planning on buying a ship, not that they know where they want to go to." Jack replied
"Still not fully adjusted then?" Carth stated
"Can't blame them though, ripped from home and dumped in the wide galaxy. They have been real tough about it too, but you can see it gets to them from time to time. Though they told us they are taking us with them when they go, show us their world." Jack shrugged
"When all this is over I know what favour I am going to demand of the Jedi council." Carth stated, swallowing some beer
"That being?" Jack asked
"Access to the hall of learning, with all the starmaps they have in there we should at least find a hint as to where their planet is or who grabbed them." Carth replied
"If it is the latter tell me where we can grab some and I will bring my fusion cutter." Jack nodded grimly
"Or we can ask the council to do a group meditation using the children as a focus." Melissa stated, slipping in through the kitchen
"The Lothal séance thing?" Carth asked
"Not a séance, but yes."
Jack threw a gimlet eye at Melissa, she merely lifted an eyebrow in response
"Here scoping out the competition girly?" He asked, briskly
"We both know this is more a man cave than a pub, your real business is the grocery store." Melissa replied
"How do you figure that?" Jack demanded
"Your kitchen does more business for the deli section of your store than the pub, and your seating? Ten seats at the bar and seven tables despite the population size before I started building the Last Round." Melissa replied
"She got you there, Jack." Carth grinned
"Don't tell the balls and chains otherwise they will hire a barman and ruin my retirement." Jack grumbled
"Your secret is safe with me, now can I get some service please?" Melissa said, sitting down
"Republic rules, no alcohol to minors." Jack said, wiping the counter
"Not a Republic planet anymore, remember?" Melissa answered teasingly
After receiving her order Melissa turned the conversation to local news
"Vanessa said something about not being able to get enough workers here, what is up with that?" She asked
"Galacticorp is going full out in this sector. They are going to Terraform Arkaxis four, an orbital station is being planned for the gas giant, scans have shown large tibana deposits. Number three has fuel deposits like Peragus before it blew up." Jack replied
"How will this effect things here?" Carth asked
"Not much, the locals have already told them that they are welcome to the other planets as long as they are left in peace. We will become the farm and recreation planet for the orbital station." Jack answered shrugging
Jack turned to Melissa
"Your lot has made a deal for Arkaxis seven, seems they have large deposits of the metal you lot love using. Agricorp will be building the mining domes on it. Malik also said something of building a factory there as well." Jack told her
"Seems I have a lot to catch up on my side." Melissa replied
"You have any plans for that island you got?" Jack asked
"Not at the moment, till the farms are up and running and the fishery starts producing I am at my limits. Why?" Melissa answered
"Doreen was commenting about setting credits aside to create a hotel on our beach lot if this is going to become a recreation area." Jack started
"But you are more interested in setting up a fishing shack." Carth broke in
"Of course." Jack grinned
"So you want to convince her to nag me for my island." Melissa replied
"If it safes my fishing spot, yes." Jack replied
Their conversation was interrupted by giggling coming from the booth, not uncommon when a little girl was present, however the sound was joined by another they have not heard in a while. Zaalbar was huffing in laughter with the girl.
"Finally, someone got through." Melissa smiled softly
"Next pitcher of milk is on me." Carth said.
Melissa's comlink started chirping insistently. Pulling it out she looked at the caller id
"Bonita? They should be on the Dantooine run." She said in surprise
"For your comlink to be picking them up they have to be on planet." Carth pointed out
Melissa accepted the call
"Bonita?" She asked
"Please come to the landing field, we are pretty shot up here." Bonita answered, exhaustion clear in her voice
"Who shot at you? Are you both allright?" Melissa demanded
"The Sith. They were in orbit over Dantooine. We barely managed to get to hyperspace."
"I am on my way."
Carth and Melissa jumped up from the chairs and made their way to the door. Zaalbar having heard the conversation was on their heels. Melissa had her comlink in hand
"Bas? Grab Terri and get to the landing field, the Milk runner just came in. They got shot up."
Melissa switched codes and contacted Marina next
"Ba'buir? I know you are busy but I need you and Daria at the landing field, grab Fay And Benni as well, the Milk Runner got shot up. I am going there now."
She placed her comlink back into its holder. Carth motioned her to the landing field.
"Go ahead, we will catch up." He said
Melissa nodded in thanks and rushed away in a force sprint. She reached the landing field in minutes. The tower crew were busy spraying the Milk Runner down with fire suppression foam. Several sections of the craft was simply gone, carbon scoring running along the hull. The loading bay door groaned as it started opening, sparks flashed as the door controls seized up. Two figures squeezed through the gap and staggered forward
Melissa jumped to their location. Sukura's face was soot streaked and leaning heavily on Bonita. One leg in a splint as she tried to hobble forward. Bonita had burns on her neck and face, she was grimly holding on to Sukura keeping her up, coughing harshly, blood running down her face.
"Get clear she is going to blow" One of the fire crew shouted
Melissa grabbed onto both and threw them over her shoulders before force sprinting them to safety. A loud thump echoed before the sound of crackling flame filled the air. Gently Melissa lowered her charges to the ground. Bonita coughed again, Melissa noted spots of blood on her lips. With a grimace Bonita grabbed her chest.
The whine of a jetpack became audible over the sounds of the fire and the firecrew battling it. Benni touched down and moved to the two patients, pushing Melissa to the side, opening his medpack as he went.
"Get me two stretchers from the Serpent." He ordered briskly
Melissa left in another force augmented sprint.
Three hours later the door to the medbay opened and Fay stepped out. She looked at the gathering by the door.
"How are they?" Melissa demanded, worriedly
"Both are stable, I have both in the Kolto tanks, they are going to need several days in there. Both will make a full recovery." Fay answered.
Melissa slid down the wall to sit down, exhaling in relief. Bastila grasping her shoulder in support and her own relief. Marina cleared her throat
"As family that is wonderful news. But I have to speak as clan leader as well. Did they say anything?" Marina stated
"No, we had to put them under sedation to treat them. We had to intubate Bonita, inhalation burns, rib fractures." Fay shook her head.
"With the Milk Runner burned to crisp, we have no information on what happened on Dantooine." Carth stated
"If it was not too risky I would suggest contacting the Last Rounds holocom and asking for information." Melissa added
"Assuming the Sith has not already confiscated it, drawing attention to the Last Round would be bad." Terri agreed.
Terri started pacing in the passageway, thinking furiously.
"We have to assume our holocom link to the Enclave has been compromised." Carth pointed out.
"When your enemy is in hiding, destroy all his shelters leaving no place to hide." Melissa quoted
"Where did you get that from?" Bastila asked sharply
" The datapad I found on Dantooine. She was also working on a philosophical treatise for modern warfare." Melissa replied
"Any other pearls of wisdom?" Carth asked sarcastically.
"Information. The first principal of modern warfare, know of course your enemy, but in knowing him it is more important to know yourself. The commander who achieves that balance will be victorious even with inferior numbers." Melissa answered
"In that she was right, more battles have been lost to poor intelligence and arrogance than anything else." Marina stated
"I believe we should expedite our departure here. This planet is not in any position to render effective resistance should the Sith come here." Daria calmly said
"Or we need to give Malak another place to concentrate on." Melissa suggested
"Korriban?" Terri asked, still pacing up and down
" He knows by now we are hunting the maps, if we are gone they have no reason to come here. Korriban was going to be our next step anyway." Melissa pointed out
"True but our plan was to leave Bastila on Dantooine. Malak is till gunning hard for her." Carth countered
"I will be safe if I keep moving. The satin Claw can be used to jump between planets. By making myself seen on different planets we can confuse the issue as well." Bastila suggested.
"If we do this where will you go first?" Terri asked
"Coruscant. Being seen at the temple will be a good start. Plus my mother should be at that Medcenter for her treatment, if she made it that far." Bastila answered.
"I would feel better if you took Zaalbar and Mission with you. No one of us should travel alone for now." Melissa suggested
"Not Jolee as well?" Bastilla asked
"No we will need three force sensitives for the Academy and one to guard Carth from being grabbed by the Academy as his son's final test. Plus Zaalbar may not be force sensitive but being on a planet steeped in the Dark side will not be good for him, especially after what he went through." Melissa answered shaking her head
"A very good point. And on Coruscant Mission may find out what happened to her girlfriend Selina." Terri concurred
"If Malak has any sense the people of Khoonda will be safe. They are not a military target, militia not withstanding" Carth added his input
There was a complete silence as they contemplated the dangers ahead of them.
"Then our course is set." Daria said finally
"For better or worse." Terri agreed
"May the force be with us all." Bastila completed
Terri was motionless as she watched the profile of the Satin Claw getting smaller. Melissa placed a comforting hand on her shoulder
"She will be safe, she has both Mission and Zaalbar looking out for her." Melissa stated firmly
"But will she return sane, riding herd solo on Mission will be challenging." Terri replied
"What is really bothering you?" Melissa asked
"It is nothing really." Terri tried to deflect
"Who is the liar now?" Melissa scoffed
"It is just… I have a feeling there is more than her mother and declaring her presence at the temple with her going to Coruscant. It is like she is hiding something." Terri said, dejectedly
"You know she loves you with her whole being." Melissa replied
"I know, but sometimes love is not enough." Terri answered softly
Melissa pulled her into a crushing hug
"Then you will have to be satisfied with just me around before she finally pulls the last bit of her head out of her ass and come back to you."
Terri snorted and wiped her eyes
"Wonderful picture you are creating there." She sniffled
"Now let us go to a planet of complete evil and go fuck their shit up." Melissa cajoled her in a chipper voice
Terri gave a watery smile
"Fucking someone's shit up does sound good. But you really need to watch your fucking mouth."