Chapter 10: Next

"Jas? How is she?"

Jas Dar Bynn looked down and smiled. He had not heard Shusk come in. The little engineer stood before him, a worried look on his bat-like features.

"I'm…I'm not sure Shusk," He replied returning his attention to the monitor in front of him. The fuzzy image of the Claw's medical bay on the flickering screen.

I wish I knew, he admitted silently. After everything that had happened, it would have been nice to be able to be certain about something, it would be something to cling to through the confusion he was feeling right now.

Be okay, Vess, he thought silently, please be okay.

Vess had still not regained consciousness. Rior's med-droid was currently examining her. The young queen of Bantoon lay on an examining table, hooked up with many wires as various medical devices beeped and hissed around her.

She looked so small, hooked up to all those machines. She barely moved or a made a sound as the droid conducted its examination.

The sight did little to put Jas at ease, despite their recovery of the girl, she was not out of danger yet. The stasis pod where she had been kept had been damaged during the fight, and there had been no time to bring her fully out of her hibernation cycle; not properly anyway. Right now, the droid was checking for any signs of injury, Jas prayed to the Force that it found none.

He shook his head, angry at himself.

He had been so focused on Kelek Bobb that he had not been there when the pod was opened. Vess' heart had stopped when she was pulled out, Quire got it beating again with his medical kit, but still…

Vess had been so pale, and her lips had been blue, Jas had feared the worst.

Jas hoped that Targo Sei wouldn't have the last laugh here, that Vess would recover from this ordeal. The kid was a fighter, he had seen ample evidence of that, but still…

…Targo seemed to know just how to hurt his enemies. Kelek Bobb being there had been the perfect distraction, it had been enough to throw Jas off, and had nearly cost Vess her life.

Then again, what had happened in the factory had not been his challenge to face had it? Bobb had confirmed that much at least, he had been expecting Coop.

From what the late Togarian had said, it was clear that this particular game was not meant for Jas and his companions, Targo had intended for them to be elsewhere, and for Vess to be killed while Coop's men had tried to rescue her. Perhaps the hunter had desired to drive a wedge between Jas and his best friend, which might have happened had Vess died on Coop's watch.

Fortunately, things had not worked out the way their enemy had wanted them to, Jas had outsmarted his old rival, but at the same time…

Vess was still not out of danger, add on top of that the fact that Val had not been here, that Targo had moved her elsewhere, possibly sold her off.

It was hard to call what had happened on the green moon a success.

This was not a win, Jas knew, they had accomplished a mission objective, nothing more.

The job was not done, the hunt would continue.

Jas looked down at his friend, he was surprised that Shusk was here, but then again, why shouldn't he be?

Vess had developed a fondness for the crew that had saved her from Bantoon all those years ago, and they had all grown fond of her. Jas still remembered how the girl had brought Shusk his meals while he recovered from a head injury, an injury he had received helping her.

It looked like the Chadra Fan remembered too. Which was likely why he was here.

The two of them stood silently for a moment, just watching the monitor. Shusk's large ears twitched thoughtfully, Jas sensed his concern through the Force, both for Vess, and for Jas as well.

The engineer's concern surprised him.

"How 'bout you," Shusk asked him, "How are you holding up?"

Jas shrugged.

"I'm happy we found her," he confessed, "Targo hasn't managed to taint everything that I care about, not yet anyway."

Jas shook his head.

"We're not done yet," he said coldly, "Val is still out there somewhere, and we can't stop now. Targo won't sit idle when he hears about this."

He is going to be furious, Jas thought, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

Angry people made mistakes, maybe they could take advantage of that.

Maybe.

"We were pretty thorough," Shusk reminded him, "None of those collective murglaks made it out of the factory. It may be sometime before the guy realizes you out played him."

Maybe, Jas thought.

Still…

Targo was not the type to let such matters go, he would come up with something new. Jas was sure of it.

The bounty hunter was nothing if not tenacious.

He would think of some response.

They would need to be ready.

Still, Shusk was not entirely wrong, they had managed to clear the Collective safehouse. They found no list of how many collectives were there at the time, but it appeared the group had made a clean sweep. Once the fighting had been over, they had contacted the Ugnaughts let them know that their factory was secure, and theirs again. The creatures arrived within the hour to start the clean-up, removing the collective bodies, and restoring their factory to its pre-collective shape.

They had also contacted the Republic, asking for assistance. Jas and his crew had made sure to be gone before they arrived. They did not wish to answer any questions about what had happened, and more importantly about Vess.

As far as Jas knew, the Bantoon situation had not been settled yet. He had no desire to draw the poor kid back into the politics of it all, at least not until she was back on her feet and healthy.

I'll protect her, he thought grimly, I will guard her with my life.

Val would be grateful for that.

It is what she would have expected of him.

Shusk looked up at him again.

"Are we going back to Alderaan? I assume we will be dropping the kid off as soon as we can, make sure she is safe."

"That would be the smart move," Jas agreed, "The Rist could shield Vess from any reprisals, especially now that they know what they were dealing with.

Targo had caught them off guard with the Righteous business, but now…the Rist could adapt their defenses.

Targo would not have such an easy time again.

Jas' eyes narrowed as he looked at the monitor again, at poor Vess, plugged into all those machines.

He won't hurt you again, kid.

I promise.

"If Miss Valenthyne were here, she would be grateful to you," Shusk reminded him, "She is devoted to Vess, completely, she would glad to know that we saved her."

"Yeah," Jas agreed, "But I won't be happy until she is standing her, and I'm telling her myself that Vess is safe."

Shusk nodded.

"You care a lot about Miss Valenthyne, and about Vess as well?"

Jas shrugged.

"I brought them into our world. I brought them aboard the Folly, what is happening is my responsibility."

Shusk nodded thoughtfully, but Jas felt something else…something more.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing." The alien replied.

"It is clearly not nothing," Jas responded, "Please speak your mind."

Shusk sighed, a high-pitched whistling sound.

"Jas…um…are you planning on trying to mate with Vess?"

The question caught Jas off guard, he almost choked on his own saliva, he coughed and shook his head.

"Wait," he gasped, "What?"

The Chadra Fan said nothing simply waited expectedly.

"What…what makes you think that?" Jas demanded.

"These and these are not just to look cute," Shusk said pointing to his eyes and nose.

Jas smiled slyly.

"People think you're cute?"

"Ha, ha," Shusk said with a frown.

Jas chuckled, he supposed some people would think the Chadra Fan cute, and he was certainly no judge of how females of the species would find Shusk.

"Why do you think I would want to mate with Vess?"

Again, the alien shrugged.

"Your body heat goes up whenever Val or Vess are around, I saw it, and your pheromones go into overdrive whenever someone mentions them."

The alien shrugged.

"To one of my people, it is kinda' obvious."

Jas frowned.

His friend had it wrong.

He had too.

"Do I find Vess attractive? Yes," he admitted that, but he was also trained as a Jedi. He was not afraid of his emotions, but wouldn't let them guide his actions.

Jas sighed and shook his head, even now he could see Val's face in his mind's eye. The fact that she was still out there somewhere, still under Targo's control…

His anger grew at the mere thought of that, but it, like his desire could be held at bay.

He could acknowledge what he felt, but it didn't control him, he didn't let it.

It was a part of his training.

It was what it was to walk the Jedi path.

"But I care about Val, too," he added, looking down at his friend. "How I feel doesn't guide my actions. I've trained my whole life to keep my emotions in check, Shusk. What I desire is not necessarily what I will go for. I know how to control myself."

The little alien nodded, but again, Jas felt that something went unsaid.

"Not everything is about control, Jas," he said, "Sometimes you have to let go, especially if you find something you want, someone."

The engineer shrugged.

"We Chadra Fan are a sociable species, we need to be with each other, or around others. I may live apart from my people, but I haven't forgotten, and…when I think of going home, trying to find a mate, well…"

Shusk shook his head.

"Giving into that desire isn't a bad thing. Sometimes…where that can lead, is more beautiful than anything else in the galaxy."

Jas frowned, unsure what to make of that.

"Never figured you for a romantic," he said.

"It is not really about romance; it is about society. As I said, my people are very social creatures. We like to see whatever group we are in thrive, and that means mating and young ones.

Jas could see that, and understand it, but then again…after everything he had seen, and what had happened to him.

It was enough to give him pause.

He had tried it once, following his desire, he knew where that path led. He had found out with Prynn, and she had nearly paid the price for it. He had shut down for a while after that, tried not to feel anything. Though he didn't wish to go back to that, he was far more cautious after what had happened with Targo.

He had been letting his feelings out back on Alderaan, letting them guide his actions.

It had been…a distraction…a near fatal one.

It had been his fault.

He should have sensed something amiss the day that the Righteous arrived. He had been distracted. Vess's kiss, Val's suggestion that he try to court the girl, and how she had reacted when Vess had kissed him before they had tried to leave for Coruscant.

His heart had been pulling him in multiple directions at once. He had not been listening to the Force, and they had all paid for it.

I was feeling and not thinking the day Targo took the girls. I messed up, and they paid for it.

I can't afford to make that mistake again.

Shusk wouldn't understand that, Jas doubt that he could…still….

…some of what he had said did ring true.

He still remembered the vision he had had back on Alderaan, of the child, the baby girl that might still exist one day. Being on Alderaan, being in the presence of the two Bantoon women had triggered that, either one of them might play a part in that vision.

Was he truly ready to give up on that? What he had felt…it…it had been beyond anything he had ever felt in his whole life.

The Chadra Fan smiled.

"If I may offer some advice. Desire…it…it doesn't always end badly. Sometimes…it can be good."

"Desire is a distraction, Shusk."

"It can also give you something to fight for, if you let it," the Chadra Fan said giving him a friendly pat on the arm.

"Let me know what the droid has to say about the kid," he said as he walked back towards the engine room, "She is one of the good ones in this galaxy. I hope she is alright."

Jas nodded, his thoughts turning to their next move; that would depend on the others as much as it did him, he supposed.

"Don't worry," he promised his friend…

"…I will."

IOI

He gathered them in the ship's salon an hour later, the crew that had agreed to come with him on this mission.

Vess had yet to wake up, the medical droid had found nothing serious, but admitted that its resources and programming were limited.

It suggested seeking out a real doctor, and a proper medical facility.

They would find both on Alderaan, but first, Jas needed to see to his crew. He still a way to go.

He wanted to see exactly who he would have standing at his side.

Jas looked over them, his allies, with a trained eye, they were a motley crew to be sure, but he was grateful for their presence.

Rior and Burr said together on a small bench trying to be as close together as they could. Fallenstar sat with the Ko siblings, they had been playing cards when he had summoned them all together. V'Lek stood near the cockpit entry way, the young Whiphid towered over most of them, he remained a wild card in all this; Jas could still not say for certain what his intentions were. Still, he had been helpful.

Jas was grateful for that.

Shusk ever the engineer, remained close to his post, Rior had been hesitant to let him at them at first, but now had accepted not only his help, but his opinion in how to make her ship better. She seemed to have no complaints about his work, and he had been happy to keep busy.

We all have our motivations, and our roles to play, Jas thought, but now…he would see what it would take to make sure that they were all willing to go further.

He needed to know how far they were all willing to go next.

"I've just received the report from the medical droid," he informed them, "Vess…despite being brought out of hibernation improperly, will recover from what happened. She is still unconscious, but the Em-Dee expects her to be awake again within a couple of hours."

Jas felt a collective sense of relief from the crew, whatever their motivations, they understood that Vess' welfare was tied up in their own desires.

"Is that small one really a queen?" Rior asked.

"That she is, kitten," Burr replied, "Shield of her people, eighth of her name, and a whole mess of other titles too."

"Ninth, actually," Jas corrected him.

If Vess managed to take her mother's throne, she would be the ninth Vessaria to rule Bantoon.

The Cathar captain grinned.

"The Rist family will pay us well for her return, yes? They will want their little one restored to them?"

"Payment won't be a problem," Jas promised her.

Rior's grin widened, happy to hear that they would have profits coming in soon.

"Again, I want to thank you all for standing with me on this," Jas continued, "I will send word to House Rist soon, inform them of our success and imminent return."

Jas nodded, that is what the more mercenary of his crew wanted to hear, he hoped it would make what he asked next of them easier.

"We've done well, but the job isn't done yet. Targo is still out there somewhere, and he still has one hostage. We were unable to recover Char Valenthyne on the green moon."

Jas frowned.

"I intend to continue the hunt for Val. I'm not sure what kind of reward the Rist would offer for her. Yes, she was Vess' protector, but I know that there will be some who would not place as high a value on her life."

"You're hoping we will stick around," Burr said with a nod, "You still want our aid?"

Jas nodded.

"That's right."

The enforcer nodded, Jas could sense his emotions, that he was considering what had just been said.

The rest of the crew was as well.

Jas hoped they would choose to stay the course.

His biggest concern was Rior and Burr, the Claw was her ship, and she, like her lover, were far more mercenary than the others. If they decided to take their money and run, Jas wouldn't be surprised, but it would mean finding a new ship after they reached Alderaan.

That would be a shame, he had come to like the Claw, but this had been a mission of the willing.

He would not force anyone in this room to go farther than they desired.

He glanced around the salon taking in the crew, he could not say for sure how they would go just yet.

He found his attention drawn to Fallenstar; she had been the first to agree to come on this mission.

Not surprisingly, she spoke up first.

"Your friend Val doesn't like me," she said flatly.

Burr laughed at that.

"I don't think that Miss Valenthyne likes anyone, Fallenstar. Well, maybe Vess, but that is more of a bodyguard thing than anything else. Though…I suppose Jas found a way to get into her good graces."

"We respect each other," Jas replied.

The enforcer's grin turned sly.

"I'm sure that is it. Though…you have given her a bit more than respect, haven't you Jas?

Jas' eyes narrowed.

He had no intention of having this conversation, especially not with Burr.

"I could say: no," Miri admitted, "But when the kid wakes up; she is going to give me those innocent kath-pup eyes, and ask me to help you track her protector down."

The bounty hunter shook her head.

"I would rather avoid the guilt trip. I'm still in."

Jas smiled.

That was one!

"We're staying too," Hylla said, her brother nodding at her side.

"Targo still owes Clan Nuna a debt of blood. We would see it repaid."

V'Lek looked at the two Mandalorians.

"So, your motivation is revenge," he asked, "Master Jas said you lost a brother?"

"Digger is part of it, yeah," Hylla agreed, "But it is also a matter of clan justice. Chieftain Ellis has ordered his death, not that I'm surprised."

Jas blinked.

Ellis had ordered Targo's death; he hadn't heard about that.

"Targo did something to the clan…something recent?

Both of the Ko siblings nodded.

"He murdered Ellis' son."

"What?!" Jas gasped.

"Yeah," Quire said nodding, "A boy of six."

Jas' world spun.

He…he hadn't heard this.

Why had the Ko not told him?!

"It was poison," Hylla added, "Cowardly way to kill, and Targo made sure that the whole clan knew it was him. Wanted to make a point, I think."

Jas still couldn't believe it.

A child?

He shook his head.

Did Targo have no shame?

"The Chieftain has called for Targo's head," Quire added, "You're likely our best chance to catch up with him, Jas. If he wants revenge on you, he will eventually have to come out of hiding to try and take it."

"And we," Hylla said coldly, "Will be waiting."

Jas understood, he knew how things worked in the clan, how justice was carried out, especially after such a cowardly move. Poison was not something usually used in Mandalorian society, not to kill non-combatants anyway…

…and…a child, a boy of six?"

Jas winced.

Poor Ellis.

"Does Ellis blame me for it," he asked, "What happened to his son?"

"No," Hylla replied, "I don't think so, brother, why would you ask?"

Jas fidgeted where he stood.

"It was my call to exile Targo. If I had just killed him when I had the chance…"

The two Mandalorians looked at each other.

"Don't do that to yourself, brother," Quire advised.

"Yes," Hylla agreed, "Ellis doesn't blame you, and why would he?"

Hylla rose from her chair and put her hands on Jas' shoulders.

"You didn't help Targo escape exile. You didn't smuggle the poison that was used on the boy into our keep. You didn't sneak the poison into the kid's food. You did none of those things. You made a choice ten years ago, and it was an honorable one, done by our laws. It was Targo that chose to spit on that choice. He is the one responsible for what happened, not you."

Jas frowned. He heard what she was saying, but at the same time…

It was hard not to take some responsibility for what had happened. If he had just killed Targo all those years ago.

All of this what likely not be happening now.

Hylla gave him a soft smile. Jas was starting to think that Nuna's loss would be Ordos' gain.

The girl would be a great asset to her new clan, once she was married into it.

"We're staying," she informed Jas, "For Digger and for Ellis, Targo Sei will answer for what he has done."

Without another word she returned to her seat, her brother nodding in agreement as she sat back down.

That was three.

"I'm in as well," V'Lek said, "It is an honor to fight at your side, Master Jas. I'm ready to do my part to aid you in this mission."

Jas smiled at the padawan.

"I appreciate that V'Lek, but I must ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why?" Jas said, "Why do you see it as such an honor to serve me? There are those in the order that barely think me worthy of the Jedi title?"

"I had always thought that was part of your cover, your mission, master."

Jas blinked.

"My mission?"

The Whiphid nodded.

"Your tale is well known; I grew up in the temple hearing about it, me, and many others. How the order trusted you to infiltrate a Mandalorian clan at the age of nine. How you have lived your life in exile, so that the order could understand an increasingly troubled galaxy. There are those of us that wish that the council trusted us as much. You're a hero to many, Master Jas. It must have been very hard for you, living so far from the temple."

V'Lek's comment surprised him.

He…he thought that Jas' separation from the Jedi was planned?

He…he thinks me a hero?

Jas had no answer for that.

Hylla and Quire both laughed.

The Whiphid shot them a dirty look.

"Did I say something funny?"

"Ironic," Quire responded, then turned his attention to Jas.

"I didn't realize that the Jedi trusted nine-year-old boys with such delicate missions?"

Hylla shook her head.

"It is nice to see that Jedi youngling gossip as much as foundling recruits. Makes you all seem more…like us."

The Whiphid growled.

He didn't seem to like being compared to the Mandalorians.

Jas stepped into before the padawan said, or did, something he would regret.

"There was no secret mission," he said quickly, "The Ko are right. I was lost when the ship I was on was destroyed. The Clan found and took care of me. There was nothing special about that V'Lek, merely the Force taking a hand and helping me survive."

The large padawan said nothing, his eyes narrowed, Jas could sense his emotions churning, digesting what he had just heard.

Finally, he nodded.

"I'm still staying," he growled, "Innocent lives are still at stake."

"Thanks," Jas said, "I'm grateful for your support."

The Whiphid said nothing more, perhaps Jas had lost some of his support by telling him the truth, but there had been no alternative.

He had no desire to lie to a fellow Jedi.

V'Lek needed to understand.

He was nothing special, and he was certainly no hero.

Of course, his separation from the order wasn't as innocent as he had let on either. Sy had still played a part in Jas being left behind. He had not told V'Lek about that, not that it really mattered now.

What was done years ago, had been done.

It was better that they focus on the now.

"I'm with you," Shusk squeaked emerging from the engine room, "And Bee Ten will be as well, he goes where I do now, thanks to his programming updates."

Jas nodded.

He had hoped that Shusk would stay, the Chadra Fan was skilled, he would likely need those skills before all was said and done.

Jas turned to Burr and Rior.

It fell to them now.

He was curious as to how they would choose.

The Cathar smiled.

"This…Val woman, she is important to the little queen, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Like family?" Rior inquired.

Jas considered that. He remembered the holos that Vess kept in her room. So many of them were of her and Val. It was clear that she was no mere guard in the eyes of mistress.

Vess looked at Val like family, more like a protective aunt, than a mere guard.

Jas nodded.

"Vess loves Val, no doubt."

Rior's golden eyes brightened.

"I'm in, when the girl comes into her throne. She will be grateful for the one who saved her guard. Royals can be generous, planetary royals, even more so."

She turned to Burr.

"How about it, handsome, will you join me on this profitable venture?"

Burr smirked at his lover.

"You have to ask?" he said, "where you go, I go kitten."

Jas couldn't entirely kill his sense of elation.

They were sticking with him.

Good.

Burr's expression turned thoughtful.

"So, to Alderaan next, huh?"

"That maybe for the best," Jas said, "You don't agree?"

Burr shrugged.

"Just thinking about the kid's safety, she is worth a lot to us. We go flying back to Alderaan, we will likely be tracked the whole way, planetary customs will know why we have come, and won't take too long to figure out who we have on board."

Jas considered that, he…

He cursed under his breath.

Damn.

Burr was right.

If they took Vess home, it would only be a matter of time until her return was noticed by the Republic, and Mining Guild. Plus, after everything that had happened with the Righteous…"

People would want to talk to her, she wouldn't just be able to return to the Rist estate and be safe. She would be out in the open.

Such an opportunity would not be very healthy for her.

Vess…would likely be in trouble.

The Rist would take steps to protect her, but this had gone beyond simply being about them sheltering an exiled noble. Whoever hired Targo in the first place would likely see Vess' return as a new opportunity to strike at her.

That would likely mean an open contract on Vess' life. Every bounty hunter and assassin in the Republic would descend on Alderaan. House Rist was good, but Vess, in such a weakened state, would be a tempting target…too tempting.

Vess in a sickbed would draw many hungry eyes. Any medic who examined her would be suspect, heck the other nobles of Alderaan would be suspect, no doubt they were angry at the Rist for bringing Vess into their world, plus, those that had allies in the Senate and mining guild might try to hurt Vess just to gain favor with their allies.

Jas pursed his lips in frustration.

Burr was right.

Vess couldn't go home, not until she was healed and strong again.

"You have any ideas?" he asked Burr.

"We take the kid home," the enforcer answered, "We take her back to Peebee, our home."

"Yes," Rior agreed, "We are having a full medical suite on Peebee, yes? Shield her from the Republic, we could, and when she is healed, we can an arrange safe passage for the girl back to her family. We will be able to smuggle her back home, yes?"

It was possible, he acknowledged, likely even smart.

He sensed agreement from the others, one in particular caught him off guard.

Jas was surprised when V'Lek nodded in agreement.

The Whiphid padawan liked the idea.

"My master said that many eyes were on this girl, eyes in high places. It may be wiser to hide her, at least until she is strong enough to defend herself.

"Our large friend is right," Rior said, "We will need to keep the prize safe, yes?"

"Plus, we know Peebee," Burr added, "Strangers won't be able to gain access to the base. We can keep anyone that is not suppose to be around the kid away. The Rist wouldn't be able to do that, not on a Republic world, no way."

Jas nodded.

For once, he was grateful for Burr's presence, and his mercenary nature.

He was not wrong.

The base on Pee Bee had what they needed to see to Vess' recovery, and when she was back on her feet, they could arrange her return to Alderaan with Lady Dorma, but quietly, and privately.

Yes, Jas thought.

He liked the idea.

He looked at Rior.

"If you would be so kind to set a new course, captain? It is time to return to Pee Bee."

"On it," the Cathar said rising from Burr's side, and heading for the bridge.

This is for the best, Jas thought to himself.

Yeah.

It was time to go home.