Chapter 5: Reasons

The entire galaxy was going insane.

That was the one thought that occupied Jas Dar Bynn's mind as The Gilded Claw executed the jump into hyperspace, leaving The Wreck, and all its many problems behind.

He found himself staring into the mirror in his quarters, wondering if this truly had been the right course of action. They had a new lead on Targo Sei's whereabout, but…

As with all things, that information had come with complications…or rather complications had developed as a result of their being on the station in the first place.

Namely, the expansion of his crew, whether he had wanted it or not, they had some new members.

He was not sure yet how he felt about that.

And…of course…there was Miri.

Miri.

He shook his head.

What am I going to do with you?

He splashed some cold water on his face and sighed.

It was never a bad thing to find allies, especially when facing a dangerous foe. Targo had proven to be far more than he had been during his days as second to Clan Nuna, he had proven to have a lethal cunning and unpredictability that was hard to prepare for.

If you are going to beat him, you need to be as equally unpredictable. Targo wants you to play his game, but if you do that Val and Vess will end up dead, and you will lose everything.

Jas frowned.

That was NOT going to happen.

He would NOT let it happen.

He could not afford to dance to the tune that Targo was calling, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't follow up on the leads that the man had left behind. Jas had already contacted Coop about that, his clan brother was already dispatching agents to check out the information that Targo had left with his allies in the Syfo Consortium, they would let Jas know what they found.

If Targo remained the same arrogant ass he had always been, he would think Jas was too cowardly to check out the matter himself. It might even stroke his ego, make him think his old foe was a coward, and that he still had matters well in hand.

Meanwhile, Jas would be striking at those that Targo used to communicate with. He would cripple his old enemy's means of gathering information, and at the same time draw closer to where ever it was he was hiding. He hoped to find and rescue Val and Vess before Targo even realized what was going on, and once the hostages were safe…

Jas smiled grimly.

Then…the two of them would finish what they had started ten years ago, and this time…Targo would not be simply punished.

This time…Jas would end him.

Merow?!

Jas looked down and smiled.

"I wondered where you had disappeared," he said with an amused smile.

The Loth cat stretched as it climbed out from one of the nearby air ducts, it lazily sauntered over to him, and rubbed against his leg, purring loudly. The animal had belonged to Vess, but had bonded with Jas shortly after their first meeting.

It had refused to leave his side after he had saved it from the abandoned shuttle, the one that Vess and Val had been taken from. It had also not let any of the Rist near it, it hissed and swatted at anyone who had gotten close. It was to Jas and Vess that it had bonded.

So, for Vess, he had decided to bring it along, to take care of the poor creature.

He sat down on his bunk, and let the animal leap into his lap, he petted its back, causing it to roll over, and bat playfully at his fingers.

He smiled.

The loth cat was amusing if nothing else.

Jas had never really had any pets growing up, there had always been so much to do, so many chores and duties. A Jedi youngling had no time for such distractions, and neither did a recruit in a Mandalore Clan.

"You miss her, don't you, Claude," he asked the animal.

Claude tilted his head and mewed.

Jas sighed.

Dear Vess, he thought.

"Yeah, I miss her too, her and Val."

He reached down and the let the Loth cat wrap its front legs around his arm, it bit playfully at Jas's hand, but didn't bite down hard.

"We will get them back," he promised.

He played with the Loth cat for a few more minutes before putting it back on the floor of his cabin, he opened a can of food he had brought with them from Alderaan, and then left the animal to enjoy its dinner.

Which…speaking of dinner…

He could already hear voices coming from the Claw's small galley. The others would be settling in, the ship would be in hyperspace for the next nine hours, at least, provided the information that they had gotten on the Wreck was good.

They would need to prepare, plus he wanted to make sure that everyone was on the same page.

A common enemy didn't mean that everyone forgot the past.

He could already sense the tension as he stepped out of his quarters.

He shook his head.

Well, he thought morosely.

…that didn't take long.

"Brother…please," he heard a familiar voice say.

"There is no reason for this."

"I think there is plenty of reason, sister. Don't you agree, Jedi?"

An angry growl filled the air.

Jas rolled his eyes.

He should have expected this.

He arrived in the galley to find both Quire Ko and V'Lek, the Whiphid Padawan, almost eye to eye, or rather eye to chin. V'Lek was almost a head taller than the young Mandalorian.

Not that Quire would back down, oh no.

The warriors of Clan Nuna were not known for backing down.

Having grown up in Clan, having known how some within it felt about the Jedi, he expected some problems.

There was too much history between the Clans of Mandalore and the Jedi Order. He had felt that disdain as a boy, and It had taken him many years to overcome it, and earn the respect of his clan mates.

It is not just the clan, Jas realized, there was plenty of bad feelings on the other side too. Many Jedi believed that the Mandalorians were not honorable warriors, but thugs. Jas himself had shared those views once, Targo had certainly lived up to them. He learned differently over the years, but…

He regarded V'Lek thoughtfully.

He was not sure bringing the young Jedi with them was such a good idea.

He had offered the Whiphid a chance to return to Republic space. It would not have been that big of an inconvenience to drop him off on some Republic world, one with a Jedi Enclave so that he could return, not only to the order, but make his final report as well.

Jas arrived too late to anything for the two slain knights, but he could help Master Swann's student, at least give him a chance to return to his studies.

V'Lek had been grateful for the offer, but respectfully declined. He felt that his mission was not finished, he and his master had been charged with bringing the bounty hunter Targo Sei to justice, and to rescue the people that he had kidnapped.

The young Jedi did not desire to return in failure, he wished to see his mission through.

Jas respected that, but he was also wary of the young Whiphid.

If Mondar was to be believed, his master and his ally had been hand picked by Sy Dar Bynn, Jas' twin brother. Sy had his own opinions on how the situation with Vess needed to be handled. So far, Jas had been yet to determined if the student shared the views of his master. If V'Lek had been given instructions on what to do if he did manage to save Vess.

Jas was not sure how to politely bring up such a topic. The young Jedi was still mourning his master, despite his Jedi calm. He didn't wish to insult V'Lek, but still desired to know what the Padawan's intentions were towards the kidnapped women.

What were you thinking, Sy, Jas wondered? Both Gymbol Swann and Zymron Fae were known Jedi Guardians, and had excelled in that role. Yet, in the matter of a conducting a proper investigation, they were likely not the best choice to carry it out. Blue blades, as they were sometimes known on the fringe, were the swords of the Jedi Order. They were the ones you went to when you needed firepower. Guardians were more known for… "aggressive negotiations," they preferred to let their lightsabers do the talking. They were useful, but such skills were not necessarily an asset in the hunt for someone like Targo Sei.

They had underestimated Boss Syfo, and had paid the price. A Jedi Sentinel would have served better in confronting the crime lord, a sentinel would have proceeded more cautiously. If a guardian was to be assigned such a mission, he should have been accompanied by a Jedi Consular, a consular would have had the necessary skills to deduce the risk in dealing with someone like the spiced-up Mon Cal, and adjusted their search accordingly.

Too late now, Jas realized, whatever Sy had hoped for, those hopes had died with the two guardians, now Jas was left with an angry padawan whose goals he didn't entirely understand.

It would have been better had V'Lek accepted his offer to return to the order, there he could mourn as was proper, and be assigned a new master, one that could complete his training. Jas suspected that Whiphid had been close to taking his trials, his survival on the Wreck was proof of that.

Yet, he had chosen to remain here. He was now a wild card in the deck that was this mission, and…he was trying to challenge Quire Ko.

Jas sighed.

That wouldn't do at all.

"Is there a problem here, padawan?"

The Whiphid looked away from Quire, his blue eyes fell on Jas.

He sensed the young Jedi's insecurity, which confused him somewhat.

What did the Whiphid have to be insecure about?

Jas was neither a full Jedi, nor his superior.

"My apologies, Master Jas," he said bowing his large head, "I was merely…"

The title the alien had given him surprised, Jas.

Master?

He almost laughed.

Oh Padawan, he thought.

That is something that I will never be.

"Seeking to test yourself against Quire? You do realize how unnecessary that is?"

The alien winced and looked down and away.

"I do not like the smell of him," the padawan growled under his breath.

Jas nodded.

He had been around long enough, and understood what was going on.

The Whiphid were an aggressive species, and a warrior race, not so different from the Mandalorians.

It came as no surprise that either of the young beings would seek to try and intimidate the other.

Put two alpha Kath Hounds in a pen together and they would fight, it was inevitable.

Jas understood the honor of Caln Nuna, and the bravery of its soldiers.

Quire Ko wouldn't back down, not if he felt that he was being challenged.

He continued to glare at V'Lek, his T-Visored helmet never leaving the Whiphid's shaggy frame.

"If this one wants to test me, he doesn't have to…"

Hylla sighed and stepped between the two, her own helmeted gaze focused on Quire.

"Enough," she said, "Your behavior is not helping, brother. In fact, it is downright unbecoming of a warrior son of Clan Nuna, and of Mandalore."

"Hylla," Quire said defensively, "The Jedi is…"

"Is on the same quest that we are," she reminded him. "Brother Jas is also of Jedi blood, have you forgotten that?"

"Of course not, I…"

"I appreciate your aid, Hylla," Jas called out, "But I can speak for myself."

He looked back and forth between Quire and V'Lek.

"I don't need to remind you both that the fight isn't in here, it is out there…somewhere. We have all been drawn into the hunt for Targo Sei. We all have our reasons for being here, but the end result is the same."

Jas shook his head.

"If we fight amongst ourselves, then Targo has already won. That means the end of all we hope to accomplish. I know it won't be easy letting go of the past, and forgetting the transgressions of old, but we need to focus on the here and now. We all want the same thing, yes?"

"Yes," Quire said slowly nodding, "The traitor Targo Sei must answer for his crimes. For all those that he has hurt."

"Yes," the Whiphid growled, "For Master Swann, this bounty hunter must be brought to justice."

"And for our brother," Hylla added, "For Digger."

She looked at Jas and nodded.

"The circle of vengeance must be closed."

Jas nodded again.

As he had said.

They all had their reasons for being here.

IOI

The presence of the Ko siblings on the Wreck had been a bit of a shock, but perhaps it should not have been.

Many brave Mandalorians had died when Targo had betrayed his clan during the raid on the Kuat Drive Yards. He had tried to use the Sunset Collective not just to propel himself to the leadership of the clan, but to eliminate anyone else he considered a rival, anyone who could cause a problem for his rise.

Mother Nuna had been the main target that day, but she had not been the only one. Several up-and-coming Mandalorian fighters had been eliminated as well, those that would not have supported Targo's coup, or challenged the path he desired to set for the clan. Among those fighters had been Digger Ko, Hylla and Quire's older brother. He had perished on the same platform that Jas and Coop had been travelling on that day, slain by Kelek Bobb, Targo's right hand, and a handful of other Nuna traitors.

Jas had failed to save Digger's life, but he had managed to avenge him, slaying several of his murderers and leaving Bobb behind to face Republic justice.

Quire and Hylla had not been in the fighting corps back then. They had still been too young, but they had watched when Jas had challenged and defeated Targo, and the two had not forgotten what he had done that day.

It had been for that reason that they had been on the Wreck. Coop, in his desire to aid in Jas' search, had reached out to their old clan. Ellis, the chieftain of Clan Nuna, had known that Jas was hunting for Targo, and informed the Ko siblings of his involvement.

Quire and Hylla had been working along a similar path, they, like Mondar, had heard of Targo's actions on the Wreck, but they had chosen a more direct approach. They had openly started attacking Syfo interests. The two Mandalorians had sabotaged or destroyed Syfo's business, disrupted his control of the station. They had wanted the crime boss angry and paranoid. They had wanted him to feel helpless, and call for aid. They had hoped to agitate the criminals enough that they might call Targo back to the station to aid them.

Ironically enough, their actions had drawn first the two Jedi, and then Jas to station. According to Hylla they had been hoping to meet up with him, the memory of his victory over Targo had stuck with them over the years.

"Though you never swore the creed," Hylla had said, "We hoped that you would aid us, that we could aid each other. Ties of the clan remain strong among fellow foundlings. As a recruit of Nuna, you understand that, don't you, Brother Jas?"

He had nodded.

Yes, he understood, and for that reason, he realized that he had to accept their help, not just because of their skill, but because it was the smart thing to do.

He would rather have them at his side, then working parallel to him, and likely getting in his way at a key moment. Besides, he knew the skill of the Nuna warriors.

He could not deny that they would be an asset. So, he had said yes, both for Digger and Mother Nuna.

He would do what he could to keep the two warriors safe. It was the least he could do.

Even after all this time, the Ko were still part of his clan. A clan watched over its members.

That…was the way.

IOI

Rior, Burr, and Shusk arrived a few moments later. The Cathar had restocked their food supply while they had been on the Wreck. The military grade rations that were usually eaten aboard ship were nice, but sometimes sentient beings desired real food.

"I'm surprised you found fresh fruit and vegetables on the Wreck," Quire said looking at the plates that the Cathar sat before the crew.

"The Wreck is a smuggler's port," Rior reminded him, "Spice and guns aren't the only thing moving through its hangars. Hutt tariffs make even the basics hard to come by on worlds under their control."

The Cathar gave him a toothy grin.

"Believe it or not, in some systems, smuggling food is more profitable than guns."

Burr leaned in and kissed his lover's cheek.

"That's what I like about you, Kitten," he proclaimed, "You're always looking out for others."

She purred and leaned in rubbing her cheek against his.

"You know it, baby," she replied.

Jas said nothing.

Burr had found someone; he had no reason to think less of either him or Rior for that.

Shusk reached across the table, grabbing at some greens, while the Cathar sat a plate of meat in front of V'Lek who nodded gratefully.

The two Mandalorians sat quietly not touching their food.

"You two aren't eating?" Burr asked.

"We shall return to our quarters to eat," Quire informed him, "Our faith does not allow the removal of our helmets."

The enforcer shrugged.

"Suit yourselves then."

Shusk was about to take a bite of his meal when he paused, his whiskers twitching.

"Where is Fallenstar," the Chadra Fan asked looking around, "Isn't she going to join us?"

"She is resting in her quarters," Jas informed him, "She asked us to get started without her."

Miri had needed medical attention after the attack by the dianoga. Jas and V'Lek had saved her, but she had not come out completely unmarked. The Consortium's medical droids had put her through both decontamination and given her a series of booster shots to treat any possible bacteria or viruses she might have picked up being submerged in the station's waste water.

It had not been a pleasant experience for her. She had showered three times since they had escaped the lower levels, twice on the station with real water, and once using the sonic one aboard ship.

Jas didn't blame her, he still felt soiled after that encounter, and that was after decon and two showers himself.

The bounty hunter was now meditating in her quarters trying to center herself after her near-death experience.

At least he hoped she was.

He tried not to reach out with the Force, he didn't want her to get the wrong idea.

Miri.

He shook his head again.

Once again, his actions had caused another complication, and...

…He was not quite sure how to deal with it.

After their return from the lower levels, after she had gotten out of decon, Miri had come to him. She had an…offer of sorts.

He had not taken it, but…he had been tempted.

He had saved her life, she acknowledged that, and…thought herself in his debt. She was grateful that he had come to aid.

She offered to show him just how grateful she was, and offer that had begun with her turning up in the same shower room that he had been in, shown up…wearing nothing but a smile.

He had been caught off guard to say the least.

In fact, his response had been along the lines of: "MIRI! WHAT THE?! WHOA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

She had merely smiled, and approached him, her every move radiating desire.

"It has been a while hasn't," she had asked him in a husky voice, "How long has it been since a woman offered herself to you? How long since you were willing to accept?"

It had been a while, he could not deny that, but he had denied her offer.

It wasn't right.

Jas knew what a near death experience could do to a person. He understood why she was offering him what she was. She was feeling vulnerable, and he refused to take advantage of that.

He had wrapped her in a towel and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I'm sorry," he told her, "I can't."

She gave him a confused look.

Do I displease you?" she asked.

"Not at all," he had answered, unable to kill the blush that had rushed down his neck.

"I appreciate the…the offer, but…I have no desire to take advantage of what happened. We still have a long way to go, and I don't want to complicate things. You do understand, yes?"

He had feared she would be angry, hurt by his refusal, but she had not been.

She merely nodded.

"Val is a lucky, girl," she said, "Or maybe it is Vess, we're just going to have to see, aren't we?"

She stepped away, and removed the towel, turning on the water, in the nearest stall.

Again, Jas had looked away respectfully.

She laughed.

"Sure, you don't want to change your mind?" she asked.

"I'm…I'm sure."

"Have it your way then," she said with a pout, though, her smile returned a few moments later.

"I don't suppose I could convince you to wash my back, it is so hard sometimes…"

"Don't tease."

"I'm not teasing," she said playfully.

He shook his head no, trying really hard not to look.

Damn it, he thought.

Why did it have to be like this?

"I…don't think that is a good idea," he said walking away quickly, wishing his own shower had been a bit colder than what it was.

He couldn't even look at her, which only seemed to amuse her more.

"Just know that the offer still stands," she replied as he had left the room.

"I'll be waiting."

They had said little to each other after that encounter. Things had become a bit awkward between them now, but he still hoped to overcome it.

When they had gotten back, she had made a point of letting him know she was in her quarters if he needed anything, anything at all.

Her meaning could not have been plainer, he could sense her desire through the Force, the lust that had taken root there.

She would not resist if he asked to be with her, it would be wrong, but…

The desire was there.

Again, Jas resisted that temptation, he didn't entirely trust himself to be alone with the former Padawan turned bounty hunter.

He tried not to think about it, to focus on the mission.

Why did she have to be like this, he wondered.

Though…perhaps he shouldn't have been surprised.

This was not the first time that she had made a pass at him, she had been drunk during those previous attempts, and that had made it easier to refuser her. This one, though, this attempt had been different; it was the first one that had got him thinking…made him curious.

He decided not to take the chance.

Yet, you are considering it, his conscience chided.

What does that make you?

An idiot, he thought.

He…

Nope.

He was not going to go there again.

He would put it out of this mind,

He would not think about it, or the way she had looked when she had come to him.

Stay focused on the mission, he thought.

Finding Val…finding Vess, that is what was important.

That is what mattered.

IOI

Jas had just sat down to eat. The meal looked good, and he was not about to let it go to waste, fresh food was hard to come by when you spent so much time aboard a ship.

Plus, the crew was gathered, with the exception of Fallenstar, they could plan…

That…is when it happened.

While they had all been sitting there, Hylla disengaged the catches on her helmet and took it off.

He blinked in surprise.

What?

Quire gasped and looked away, his arm coming up to block his own vision.

"Sister," he hissed.

"Must You?! Really?!

Jas looked down and away as well, remembering his time among the clan.

Hylla merely shrugged.

"I need to get used to taking off my helmet, brother," she said, "It has been almost six years now, and we are among allies."

The Mandalorian woman sighed.

"I doubt that Granius will wish to have his wife walking around in a full helmet and armor all the time."

Jas was confused. Clan Nuna were purists, that was their religion, they never removed their helmets, they followed the old way, the stricter way. They…

He glanced up despite that realization.

Hylla had grown into a pretty young girl, he could see the child he knew in the woman before him, but now those features were hardened by years of Mandalorian training.

Except for the eyes, they remained the eyes of the playful young girl he had known, though, he suspected that that playfulness vanished when she was in combat. Right now, though, she was enjoying tormenting her brother. She…

"Wife," Rior purred regarding their guest, "You are married?"

"Betrothed," Hylla responded with a shy smile, "I'm to wed Granius Ordo, son of the chieftain of Clan Ordo."

Jas frowned.

Ordo? He remembered that name.

"Wasn't that the clan that drove Nuna from Mandalore in the first place?" he asked her.

Hylla nodded.

"It was chieftain Ellis' idea," she informed him, "He approached Ordo with an offer of alliance. They were still stronger than us, but their soldiers had lost something in the years since our exile. They were not as hardened as they once were. They lacked real combat experience, most of the seasoned warriors had been lost in various conflicts. The other clans were starting to take advantage of that…inexperience."

"I get it," Burr said, "Your boss offered to come to their aid, provided they agree not to block your people's return to Mandalore, am I right?"

"Something like that, Mister…Burr was it?"

He nodded.

Hylla smiled.

"My wedding will officially end any hostilities between our two clans. We will no longer be a threat to them, and they will have access to our troops if they need them. The arrangement will serve both clans well."

Jas nodded finally meeting the young woman's gaze.

He understood the politics of it, but understood the consequences as well.

"But…by removing your helmet…by letting others see your face, the clan is still led by purists."

Her joyful expression turned a little sad.

"My sister has already been added to the roll of the honored dead," Quire informed him.

Shusk blinked when he heard that.

"But…she is still alive," he squeaked.

"Not in the eyes of the clan," Quire continued. Jas could sense his sadness through the Force.

"Hylla will be listed as having given her life for the clan. She will be dead to us, but her sacrifice will ensure future peace between Ordo and Nuna.

"My children with Granius will bond the two clans together. They will ensure both strength and peace."

Jas nodded; he was impressed.

Offering yourself to such a fate, it could not have been easy.

"You are very brave," he said to the girl.

Hylla smiled.

"I try to be," she answered.

Quire snorted at that.

"Don't let her talk of sacrifice fool you, Brother Jas. My sister was pining over that little prince from the first moment she saw him."

She glared at her brother.

"I wasn't pining."

"Really," he said, and you didn't enter the melee to decide his bride without my consent, as your older brother you could have consulted me, you should have asked me."

"You would have refused."

"Of course, I would have refused, you're my sister!"

'And I would have fought you for the right to choose my own destiny."

"I would never fight you, Hylla."

She gave her brother a sly smile.

"Because you would have lost. I would have hated to see you lose face in such a way, but I know my own desires, Quire."

"I wanted to be with Granius, and nothing was going to stop me."

"You won the right to marry this boy," Rior asked.

"I did," Hylla said proudly, "Ellis held a melee, me and eleven other women entered, most were more experienced, and better armed, than I."

Hylla beamed.

"They could not stand against me, NOT that day. I fought like a Mandalore of old. I had only just completed my training in the fighting corps, but I emerged victorious."

Jas nodded.

He was impressed.

"How does your intended feel about this?"

"He is pleased to have such a strong mate at his side."

"Has he seen your face yet."

"He has," she confessed, "We met in private after the melee. He…he liked what he saw, I think."

The girl blushed slightly.

"I will do my best to be a good wife to him, and mother to his children."

Quire rose from the table; he radiated a sense of loss and pain.

"If you will excuse me," he said, "I…I shall eat later."

He left without another word.

Hylla watched him, her expression pained. She looked about to go after him, but thought better of it.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"I chose this," she said to Jas, "It will be for the greater good. I will miss the clan, but it needed to be done."

Jas reached out, and squeezed her hand.

"Quire will understand," he promised, "In time."

"I hope so," she answered, "In the meantime, Chieftain Ellis has offered a large bounty for the head of Targo Sei, my share of those credits will serve well as a dowery when I wed into Clan Ordo, they won't need them, but it will go well towards improving my armor, and prove my quality to the Ordo elders."

Jas leaned back and examined those that had gathered around him.

We all have our reasons for being here. V'Lek had his. The two Mandalorians had theirs…

…and I have mine.

We all have our own reasons for this mission to succeed.

"Speaking of Targo," he began, "It is time to share the next part of the plan with you all. Boss Tynnes of the Syfo Consortium didn't have a direct way to contact our quarry, but he did know who to contact to get in contact with our prey."

"So," V'Lek growled eagerly, "what is our next move, Master Jas?"

"It has already been made, padawan," Jas informed him, not bothering to correct him on the use of the title of master.

"Syfo had already reached out to Targo as we had hoped. His contact was most interested in the fact that a padawan had survived on the Wreck, and was most interested in acquiring one for some reason."

"He wanted me," the Whiphid said, "Why?"

"I'm not sure," Jas replied, "But the person who knows how to reach Targo did ask that the padawan be taken alive and sent to him. Syfo, being too arrogant for his own good, agreed to that request."

The Whiphid nodded.

"So, I am bait?"

Jas shook his head.

"The padawan is bait, but that won't be you, V'Lek. Syfo was sent instructions on how to render a captured Jedi safe for transport, Tynnes has provided us with what we need, and the location of the drop off."

His crew looked at Jas, he could sense their confusion.

"I don't understand," Hylla said, "If V'Lek is not the bait…then who is?"

Jas gave them a predatory grin.

"Don't worry," he promised them, "You will all understand soon enough…

"…Trust me."