Chapter 7: Confrontations after the Cure
Okay I got delayed last week due to being on a business trip but here it is. Decided to give a certain character here some just deserts that we don't get to in the game. Hope you guys enjoy and please review. I also changed my original plan to have this chapter revolve around saving Zalbaar.
Calak, Carth, and Mission all headed back to the Upper City. They moved slowly thanks to Calak's bitten leg. The Rakghoul disease from the bite had been cured but the leg still hurt. He'd injected himself with a medpack once they started back but the healing chemicals would still take some time. At least the pain was lessening by the minute. They went to Zelka's medical facility to give him the cure.
"Welcome back," Zelka said recognizing them as they walked in.
Calak spotted Gurney, the corrupt assistant glanced at him before getting back to a stack of papers on a desk nearby.
"You were going down below, right?" Zelka asked before noticing Calak's limp. "Are you injured?"
"Yeah, a Rakghoul bit me," Calak said.
Zelka's eyes widened in horror. "But if you were bit-
"Its okay, I have the serum to cure the Rakghoul disease and still have some!" Calak said holding out one of the vials filled with the bubbling liquid.
Zelka's eyes remained wide but were now filled with intrigue rather than horror. "You have the serum? Impossible! How did you get this?"
Before Calak could answer he quickly said, "On second thought I don't want to know. Can I see it?"
Calak nodded and took a step forward, wincing a little at the pain in his leg. He handed Zelka the serum who ran it through a device that analyzed its contents and also tested the cure on a blood sample of a person that had been infected with the disease.
"Yes!" Zelka exclaimed as he watched the serum destroy the sample of the disease through his microscope. "This is it! With this sample I can make enough serum to cure anyone infected and perhaps even make all of Taris immune!"
Calak smiled but looked over uncomfortably at Gurney whose face was scrunched up in rage.
Zelka began mixing chemicals together, Calak and the others helped as well, Gurney said nothing as he assisted his boss but Calak could tell he was yearning to. Within an hour they produced many loads of serum that matched that of the Rakghoul cure.
"Thanks that should be enough to send to other medical facilities around Taris so they make their own," Zelka said. "Now I believe you deserve a reward for this. I can't give you much but I hope you understand the good you've done."
Calak shook his head. "Keep your reward Zelka, helping others is good enough for me."
Zelka smiled. "You truly have a noble and generous spirit, Taris needs more people like you. Especially with how much anti alien semitism is on this planet."
"Yeah, I know," Mission said. "I would have never been allowed up in the Upper City without a human escort."
"But you deserve something for your efforts," Zelka continued. "Tell you what, I'll give you a discount whenever you buy from me."
"Thanks," Calak said. "I hope this helps the planet out."
Mission's stomach suddenly rumbled. She giggled. "I guess running from the Gamorreans, fighting and making that serum worked up on an appetite."
"I'm feeling pretty hungry myself," Carth said.
"Me too," Calak agreed. "Why don't we all go have dinner at the cantina nearby?"
He looked over at Zelka. "Would you care to join us?"
The doctor checked the clock nearby. "Oh, where did the time go? It's already time to close. Just give me and Gurney a few minutes to close up."
Calak nodded. He, Carth and Mission stepped outside and waited. Gurney was the first to step out, an angry look on his face.
"You blew it!" he growled, finally letting out his frustration. "If you'd brought that Rakghoul Serum to Zax he would have made it worth your while! But no, you had to go and do the honorable thing!"
Calak narrowed his eyes. "Well honor is better then dishonor! There's more to life then credits!"
"Davak would have paid you thousands of credits to have that serum!" Gurney said. "And I would have gotten a nice finders fee if you'd gone to Zax and given it to him!"
"What?" a voice asked from behind him as Zelka emerged.
"Zelka! I-"
"You told them to go to Zax?" Zelka yelled in disbelief and hurt.
"No I-
"Don't lie to me, Gurney!" Zelka shouted.
"I- yes I did. I need money and you don't have enough to pay me what I'm worth! You always go on about help others, charging only what you need to keep expenses covered!"
"I trusted you!" Zelka said. "I trusted you and you spied on me for a crimelord and bounty office! You're fired Gurney!"
"But-
"Return tomorrow for your pay and then I never want to see you again!" Zelka said sternly.
Gurney growled, for a moment Calak thought he might attack. He, Carth and Mission all put a hand on their weapons just in case but Gurney simply stomped off.
"I'm sorry," Calak said to Zelka who looked after his assistant.
"Its not your fault," Zelka said.
They headed to the cantina where they ate a meal, Calak bought for all of them and their food soon arrived. Zelka was quite as he felt the sting of Gurney's betrayal. They watched the holonet screen which showed events on Taris.
"Swoop fans are eagerly awaiting the season opener of the race taking place in just three days time! Prizes will be offered for the winner including a large sum of five thousand credits and a Republic Officer to become a personal slave!"
Calak grimaced, as did Carth.
"We have to hurry if we want to save Bastila," Carth said.
"I know," Calak replied.
"Who is this Bastila?" Mission asked. "I heard from the Beks she was a Republic officer that the Vulkars intend to sell on the slave markets once they win."
They looked at her, Zelka of course knew they were Republic Soldiers but they hadn't told Mission. Calak looked around for anyone that might possibly be listening and found no one.
"We're Republic Soldiers," Calak whispered to her.
"I'm a pilot as well," Carth said.
Mission's eyes widened and she spoke loudly. "Wow, so you two survived the-
Zelka put a hand over her mouth. "You probably want to be quiet about this."
"Oh right," Mission said.
Suddenly someone noticed Calak. "Hey you're the Mysterious Stranger!"
"Yeah," he told the patron.
"I saw your match against Ice! You were great! Are you gonna be in the Dueling Ring tonight?" the Dueling Fan asked.
"Uh, I hadn't planned on it," Calak said.
"Come on you might be able to take on Marl! He's the second-best duelist!" the fan said.
Calak thought for a moment. His leg had fully healed from the Rakghoul bite in the time they had made the stores of serum in Zelka's facility.
"I guess there's no harm in it right?" Calak asked his group.
"I'd like to watch a duel!" Mission said eagerly.
Carth wasn't as enthusiastic, "Well we don't have anything better to do right now I guess but we have to buckle down and get to work tomorrow!"
"Yeah, save Zallbaar then get into the Vulkar Base," Mission said.
Zelka shook at those mentions. "I'm glad I'm not part of this group full time if you guys live this dangerously every day. As for the duel if you want to go for it, I won't stop you. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan. Its my job to heal the wounded and duels hurt people. No offense."
"None taken," Calak said. "Not something for everyone."
Once they finished their dinner, Calak went to the cantina room reserved for duelists. Carth and Mission followed while Zelka headed home. They'd return to his facility tomorrow to get a supply of their own Rakghoul serum before heading back to the Undercity.
"Ah Stranger!" Ajuur said. "Here for another match? I was wondering when you might come back!"
"Yeah, I have some time for one match but I won't be back for another few days," Calak said.
"In that case lets see how you do against Marl!" Ajurr said.
Calak looked and saw Marl, the oldest member of the duelists. He carried the double vibroblade and looked at Calak with experienced, focused eyes.
"It will be good to cross swords with you," Marl said. "I don't use blasters and I hope you'll do the same. A sword is a true weapon, blasters have less honor and show of skill."
Calak wasn't sure he agreed with that. A weapon of any kind took skill and time to get used to. Of course, swords could be used with more variety of attacks such as the direction of slashes and thrusts. He did prefer them himself.
"Alright, if that's how you want it," Calak agreed.
Shortly after the two of them headed down to the Dueling Ring. Carth and Mission stayed to watch from the monitor. Calak put his blasters aside and now only used his vibroblade.
The announcer introduced each of the combatants, Calak as the Mysterious Stranger like before and Marl as a twenty-year veteran that still knew how to show the young kids a trick or two. Then the match began.
Marl was old, but he moved quickly as he charged at Calak. He'd kept his body in superb shape by dueling no doubt. Calak had to make sure not to underestimate his opponent. Marl had experience on his side. His double vibroblade spun fast, one blade coming swiftly after the other. Calak managed to block them and tried to move Marl's weapon aside so he could get a strike in but the experienced vet saw it coming and moved back a step out of range. Calak's weapon was quite a bit shorter than the large double blade. Marl quickly noticed this as well and controlled the distance, using it to his advantage as he swung, keeping Calak at a range where he could catch him with at least the tips of his blades while keeping out of range from Calak's shorter vibroblade.
Calak managed to hold off the bigger weapon for a time, Marl's flurry of strikes were slow enough that he could manage to do so. His skill with his weapon was impressive but the weapon itself was still a heavy one more suited to powerful swings. If it had been lighter Calak might not have been able to block in time. That gave him an idea. His shorter weapon was lighter and quicker so he might be able to outmaneuver Marl. He came in with a thrust, Marl barely managed to bat that aside with a powerful strike but still managed. That left Calak open to another attack and the veteran warrior seized on the opening. He stabbed Calak with his other blade. Pain shot through the newest duelist and he soon faded into unconsciousness, taking small comfort in the fact that the sonic suppressors built into the ring would prevent any fatal damage and they had a top-notch medical droid on site.
…
Sure enough he woke in pain but very much alive. A medical droid looked over him. His stab wound had been stitched back to normal and the internal bleeding stopped. Calak slowly pulled himself to his feet and clutched his stomach as the droid okayed him to go.
Carth and Mission waited back in the Duelist Room for him.
"You okay Calak?" Carth asked.
"I will be," Calak said. "Still hurts a bit."
"You did pretty good though," Mission said.
"Yes, very good. Almost had me there," Marl said as he approached them. "I think you could win if we were to fight in a rematch."
"People will pay a lot to see a rematch," Ajuur said in the corner.
"Thanks, but not tonight," Calak said. "Maybe when I get back."
"Very well then I look forward to that day," Marl said.
It was close to midnight on Taris now. Calak and Carth began to head back to their apartment complex nearby. They looked at Mission as she walked with them.
"Do you have a place to stay tonight Mission?" Calak asked.
Mission shook her head. "I make my home on the streets wherever I can."
"Oh, well if you want to stay in our apartment you're welcome," Calak said.
"I haven't been on a bed in months at least," Mission said. "I'll take you up on that."
As they exited the cantina, they saw a group of humans waiting there at the door. Calak saw a man and woman as well as a familiar pair of kids. The same kids that had been bullying the Ithorian this morning!
"You! Stranger!" the man, probably the kids father shouted. "My kids told me you threatened them this morning!"
Calak glared at him. "Yeah, because they were threatening an Ithorian!"
"You damn Alien Lover! You have no right to defend those freaks! They deserve to be put in the Lower City or enslaved! They're so ugly! Well except for Twileks like that one!" The father said looking at Mission with a pair of lustful eyes.
"Hey you better keep those eyes on my face!" Mission said.
"Shut up! You have no right to be up here, or talk back!" the man said before looking back at Calak. "Now apologize to my children!"
"No!" Calak said. "You and your children are nothing but bullies! It doesn't matter whether you are human or alien! Every sentient has a right to be treated equally regardless of how they look!"
"Fool! Aliens are too ugly to be given the same rights as us!" the wife said.
"I'll just have to teach you a lesson then!" the father said.
He stepped forward fists raised. Calak, Carth, and Mission did the same. Normally there was a Sith guard stationed outside the cantina but it had just closed and most of the patrons were gone. The sight caused the father to realize he was outnumbered, with people that had blasters on their person no less.
"You're the only one that will be taught a lesson," Calak said.
"Yeah!" Mission agreed. "You uppity humans might be able to intimidate some aliens here, but we know there are good ones here and across the galaxy! You may keep this planet filled with snuck up snobs but you'll never be able to convince the entire galaxy! United we stand!"
"The Republic was built on equality, everyone deserves to be treated with respect regardless of their species," Carth agreed. "I admit I don't like the looks of some aliens but if they are good people that's irrelevant. You however are not a good person… or father… teaching your children to bully others based on their species!"
"Get that alien lover father!" the boy said.
The father glared at them and sighed.
"Your Republic is a foolish government, maybe the Sith will annihilate it, they have the right idea of aliens!" he said. "We'll be back!"
The hostile family turned and walked away. Calak sighed, glad that had ended without violence. But that could change.
"That was close," he said.
"No kidding," Carth agreed.
"I would have liked to teach that guy a lesson!" Mission said.
Calak couldn't deny he felt the same as they made their way back to the apartment he and Carth were staying. It was a good thing they had a few beds inside. He and Carth took one side while Mission took the other. She stripped her street clothes off so that she was clad in only her undergarments. Calak and Carth did the same. Not having any real night clothes this would have to do.
"We seriously need to get some more clothes," Calak said. "Armor works well for combat but I wouldn't mind something else."
"I've got my favorite jacket," Carth said with a shrug.
"I'm happy with my clothes," Mission said.
Calak sighed. "Guess I find need to find something else then."
The only clothes he had besides his armor was a functional but unattractive brown and green outfit. Deralia was a planet of coasts and jungles so that had been an effective camouflage outfit on Calak's home planet. Though he'd not really been a fan of the outfit in particular, for now, he'd need to stick with armor, at least until he wasn't constantly in danger. Maybe they'd check out a store tomorrow, just in case.
He fell onto the small single bed, Carth took the bed next to him while Mission took the other side. The beds didn't have covers but were equipped with heating systems to keep their users warm enough. Mission adjusted hers then laid on it.
"Ah feels good to have an actual bed!" Mission said. "Night."
"Night," Calak said as he dozed off.
…
Calak slept well until something woke him.
"No, I can't trust you! I can't trust anyone! Not after what happened!" Carth muttered in his sleep. "No please Saul no!"
Carth suddenly opened his eyes and looked around. He noticed Calak was awake.
"Oh, I'm sorry did I wake you?"
"Yeah," Calak muttered.
"Sorry," Carth repeated as he got up and walked to the door, not seeming to care that he was still only in his undertunic.
Calak looked after him, torn between going back to bed or following his comrade. He decided the latter. Following Carth, he found him outside watching the dawn starting to form. It was still early and there wasn't a soul out on the platform.
"You have a nightmare?" Calak asked.
"Yeah," Carth said not looking at him.
"You want to talk about it?"
"Not really," Carth said.
Calak decided to press anyway. "Is it related to the trust issues you have, because of all the people that betrayed you?"
"Yeah," Carth said again with a sigh. "I guess you have a right to know. When I think of all the men who betrayed us, one stands out the most to me. The man who ruined my life. Saul."
Saul.
"That name sounds familiar," Calak said. "And not just cause you said it before you woke up."
"With good reason," Carth went on. "Admiral Saul Karath is the commander of the entire Sith Fleet! He's half the reason Malak is doing so well in the war! He- he was my mentor and taught me everything I know."
"What happened?" Calak asked.
"I served under him in the fleet during the Mandalorian Wars. He was the commander until Revan took over and helped us win the war. He disappeared with Revan and Malak for a while after they went to the Unknown Regions. When I saw him again, he wanted to talk to me. He told me that the Republic was on the losing side and that we needed to start something new to make the galaxy a better place. He wanted me to come with him to see a new order that might be a better option. I know now that he was trying to recruit me into the Sith. I refused and tried to tell him that the war was over and the Republic needed our help to recover. But he'd already made his choice. When Revan and Malak returned as Sith, the Leviathan, Saul's flagship was at the head of the attack on my home world."
So that was why he was so distrustful. His own friend had betrayed him and devastated his planet.
"I'm sorry Carth," Calak said. "But you can't expect everyone will betray you the same way."
"I want to believe you but I think I need some time," Carth said as he looked up at the sky. "He was up there you know, when we were on the Endar Spire. His flagship was there. I had him in firing range! If I'd been able to fire on the bridge I could have-
"There was nothing you could have done," Calak said. "We were one warship, they ambushed us with an entire fleet."
"You're right, but I swore I would kill Saul for his betrayal," Carth said with anger in his voice. "That may not have been my time but it will come sooner or later."
Looking up, Calak saw the distant shapes of Sith Destroyers in orbit.
…
On the Leviathan, Saul Karath was on the bridge. The doors opened and Lord Malak stepped inside. He approached the Admiral.
"Has there been any word of Bastila?"
"None Lord Malak," Saul said.
The Dark Lord looked out at the planet. "If we don't find her soon, I will have to use more extreme measures."
Saul knew what he meant as he recalled bombing the homeworld of his friend and student Carth Onasi. He wondered where Carth was now, could he be on Taris? No, the odds of that were remote. He could be on any ship in the Republic Fleet.
…
Calak, Carth, and Mission headed out the next morning after breakfast. Calak looked around the dining area hoping to see a certain woman. But Dia was not present. He approached one of the workers in the complex.
"Excuse me, do you know where Dia is?"
"Dia? Oh, that human woman? She packed up her things and went back to her real home since the bounty was lifted."
"Oh."
That made sense, Dia had been here in a complex which was normally only used by aliens since she had to hide. It hurt Calak that she hadn't said goodbye. But then he had been gone all day yesterday going into the Undercity. Maybe he'd missed her.
"Hey Carth," Mission looked at the more experienced soldier. "You're a pilot for the Republic, right? I bet you've been to a lot of different planets, right? How would you rate Taris compared to the other worlds you've seen?"
Carth hesitated. "To be honest Mission, Taris would rate pretty low. I mean there's the prejudice and the rich up high always flaunting their wealth while the poor are stuck in dirty slums underneath. Plus, there's the gangs and all that."
"Yeah, but that's only since the Sith took over," Mission said.
Calak frowned. The Sith hadn't caused this.
"Before it was… it was…"
Mission stopped. "Well, I guess it wasn't all that different. Guess Taris isn't as great as I thought it was."
She must have a pretty good attitude to be able to ignore the fact that she lived on the streets on a planet like this.
"Trust me Mission there are a lot of places better then Taris, and worse ones too," Carth said. "It's definitely not a place where a kid like you should be running around even with a Wookie."
"Hey don't talk to me like I'm a little girl!" Mission said defensively. "I ain't no kid! I'm fourteen years old!"
"Don't you snap at me missy!" Carth said. "I'm just saying you are too young to go around places like the Undercity and Sewers!"
"Hey leave her alone, Carth!" Calak said.
"I don't have to listen to you Carth! You ain't my father! Though hell you're sure old enough to be!" Mission snapped.
"And I sure as hell don't need this!" Carth said. "Lets just get moving!"
Mission walked beside Calak while Carth trailed behind once they left the complex. As they did so, Calak received a surprise. Dia was waiting there outside.
"Hello Calak," she said warmly. "I just thought I'd check on you. You were gone yesterday when I was moving my things."
"Yeah, sorry about that, I'm pretty busy," Calak said.
"A soldiers work never ends huh?" she asked.
"Yeah," Calak agreed.
"I don't suppose you'll be free soon?" inquired Dia.
"Probably not for a while," Calak said. "Maybe after the swoop race."
"I see, well if you have time… perhaps we could go on a… a…"
"Date?" Calak finished.
"Yes," she said. "If you'd like that."
Calak nodded. "I think I could use a date."
"I always enjoy a good time," Mission said.
"Good luck then Calak," Dia said with a nod. "Let me give you my holocall ID."
She gave him the information then turned and walked back to the edge of the platform, calling an air taxi. Calak, Carth and Mission headed to Zelka's medical facility which had a new help wanted sign in front of it. They bought as many vials of Rakghoul Serum as they could stuff into their pockets then headed back to the Undercity. They had to find Zalbaar before it was too late and then it would be onto the Vulkar Base.
Alright, almost had Dia and Calak end their relationship then and there since it would probably be too busy for Calak to juggle that. But I wanted to have Bastila get a little jealous at some point if she watches their date. Felt good giving Gurney the boot. Poor Zelka though.