Chapter 17: Tatooine Part 1

Two lone figures were standing on the ridge of a sand dune. After a long trek through the desert they had found what they were looking for, tucked away in a cavern in the valley stretching below.

"So, Darth Sion was right after all," Malak muttered, his face betraying he was surprised by this fact. "For a decaying corpse looking like it should've died decades ago he certainly holds a lot of dark knowledge." He glanced at his master.

Revan stared down on her target, dark robes billowing widely around her, sensing the unspoken question. "My opinion on him is irrelevant. He led us to a part of the Star Map, which is all that matters."

"I don't think we should trust him," the tall Sith pondered.

"Kreia trusts him," Revan replied matter-of-factly, voice brooking no contradiction.

A lesser soul would've cowered away, but not Malak. "I don't think we should trust Kreia either."

"Now there's a good lad," the Dark Lord answered with the edge of mirth lacing her voice. Her tone turned grave again. "But again, irrelevant. A different evil should be at the forefront of your mind right now."

As on cue the roar of an abomination vibrated the air, the sheer volume betraying a size defying all laws of biology and gravity. A single violet lightsaber was activated as the Dark Lord of the Sith stepped forward, posture brimming with passive confidence. "It might save your life."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The heat hit them from the instant they stepped off the ship. Dry and oppressive, carried by the intense twin suns that hung overhead.

Zaalbar took one step onto the sand, took a breath and turned back to the ship.

"I don't blame you, Zaalbar," Dawn said realizing why the Wookiee wanted back in the ship. With his fur, it had to be quite unbearable for him under the twin suns. "If it wasn't for the mission, I would more than happily join you."

"Thank you for understanding, Dawn," the Wookiee rumbled.

Mission giggled. "Yeah, mom's right. That humidity can be horrible for your fur. I might have to give you a big shampoo later with all that sand!"

Zaalbar growled. "Sand in my fur? A bath and shampoo? I am definitely staying here!" He walked back into the ship.

Carth was talking to a man in a Czerka uniform and handing him some credits. He came back to the rest of the group. "I paid the landing fee so we could get around the outpost. It sounds like this is the only settlement anywhere around."

Bastila nodded. "We received a vision just as we were landing. The Star Map appears to be in some sort of cavern."

"Which means going into the desert," Canderous noted. "That may be dangerous."

"What kind of life are we looking at around here?" Willow asked in honest curiosity.

"Well, Tatooine is just about all desert," Sarryn told her. "There are two sentient species, the Jawas and the Tusken Raiders. The Jawas are…well, them." He nodded to a couple of small creatures walking by, each barely taller than a child, covered completely in brown robes and hoods that hid all but their glowing yellow eyes. "They're scavengers, finding droids or other mechanical stuff around and selling them. The Tusken Raiders or Sandpeople. They keep to themselves, dress up completely in rags and don't like outsiders. They're vicious and are pretty nasty in a fight."

Bastila stroked her chin. "It sounds as if we may have to find a way to talk to one of those races to find the Star Map. All right. We're going to search the town, ask around. Dawn, you taken Mission and Mirin. Carth, Canderous, you both are with me. Sarryn, you take Willow and Juhani."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Stop your dawdling and get a move on!" Juhani's strongly accented voice disrupted Sarryn's window shopping. He was standing in front of a droid shop, mouthwatering from all gizmos on display, but to his dismay the strong Cathar grabbed his shoulder and wanted to drag his along.

"Hey, wait a sec!" Sarryn exclaimed as she resisted being manhandled. "Can't we go in? They might sell useful stuff."

"I would love to go in too," said Willow. "But Bastila ordered us to investigate the city, not to procure equipment."

Sarryn watched Willow and Juhani miserably. They had arrived early that morning at Anchorhead, the city on Tatooine where Revan and Malak had been spotted five years ago. Eager to launch their investigation at a brisk pace Bastila had divided them in three teams.

Sarryn folded his arms and threw Willow and Juhani a stubborn look. "The shopkeeper might know something about the Star Map, or about our favorite bad guys."

Juhani dragged Sarryn into a nearby alley as Willow followed. She pushed him against the wall. Four slender fingers grabbed the side of his neck and the claw of Juhani's thumb pressed into his lower jaw, pushing Sarryn's face up to meet with two furious yellow eyes. "Don't disrespect me," she hissed.

They heard the hiss of a lightsaber and turned and looked at Willow. "We don't have time for a pissing contest," she said.

Sarryn sighed. "Could either of you at least explain to me why we can't enter the droid shop? We've been in at least three shops this morning; neither of you had a problem with those."

"I know about your fascination with droids, it's equal to my own," said Willow as she remembered the Buffybot. "If we go in there, neither of us are likely going to be coming out for hours."

He heaved a resigned sigh knowing Willow was right. "Fine."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

About two miles south Canderous Ordo was silently following Carth and Bastila, his eyes constantly alert for danger. They hadn't shared a single word ever since they left.

The Mandalorian considered their silence childish and counterfeit to their intentions. "I don't think this is what you had in mind when you teamed us up," he finally pointed out. He didn't mind silence, quite the contrary, but this was just silly. "Is there a reason why either of you are constantly eying me like I might unload the contents of my repeater in your exposed backs?"

Bastila turned to him with clear aversion. "Sarryn might trust you Ordo, but I don't. You're with the Exchange and their methods and goals are too similar to the Sith's for my taste. Force knows what they ordered you to do."

Ordo snorted. "It seems you've got your facts muddled up. I'm not with the Exchange. I was a mercenary who did some freelance work for a crime lord who had ties to them, do you really think I mattered anything to them? I was cannon fodder, that's where their trust in me ended. For them my existence died with Davik. None of them know I'm working with a group of Jedi on a highly covert operation, trust me."

"Well, we don't," Carth said. "Not yet anyway."

"You're going to have to prove yourself to us. This whole 'restore the glory of the Mandalorian'-business reeks," added Bastila.

"For two people cautious about my intentions you both aren't exactly trying hard to get to the bottom of it," Canderous countered calmly. "Look, even if neither of you trust me, my advice might be worth listening to. For one I don't think it was a good idea to send Summers with Vao and the Cathar, Mirin, into town on their own."

Bastila threw him a disdainful look. "I would trust Dawn and Mirin with my life! And as for Mission, did you know her measured IQ isn't that far off from Dawn's? She's a bright child." Her brows knitted. "It's a shame she only uses her intellect for wanton mischief."

"Another thing not that far off from Summers?" he asked smartly. He saw her look at him questioningly. "You did hear her story, didn't you?"

"Yes," answered Bastila. "Why?"

"She did tell you that to get her sister's attention she did some things that caused a little mischief," Ordo answered.

Bastila hadn't heard that, she would have something to discuss with Dawn later it seemed.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dawn entered the hall and moved to take her place on the platform with Mirin. They and Mission had started investigating the town as Bastila had ordered, then they found this chapel, which had caused Dawn to ask Mirin if they could make everything official, which the Cathar had agreed to.

The priest, Roan, handed both Dawn and Mirin half of a large Illum crystal, which they took before standing to face one another. He looked at the two and smiled.

"Today, I have a great honor to celebrate the coming together of Padawan Dawn Summers and Knight Mirin of the Jedi Order," Roan said. He noticed that Mission who stood next to Dawn was beaming with pride. "I have never married two Jedi before, but I know that it is believed that attachments are not allowed because it could make them vulnerable to the dark side, but these two so complete each other that only strength will flow from this union."

Dawn smiled as she looked at Mirin. "It was talking to Belaya that I realized that the Code was wrong about attachments. Juhani and Belaya were making it work and neither of them fell as a result. I was half joking. half serious, when I asked Belaya if she knew anyone like Juhani who would be best as my other half. Belaya said she knew someone, you, Mirin. From the moment I met you, I knew I was falling for you. It wasn't till after the mission on Dantooine that we began seeing where everything went. And it wasn't till you explained about the Cathar and their mating rituals and showed me what it was like to be with a Cathar that I realized I didn't want to live without you in my life."

Mirin returned Dawn's smile. "I knew that some Masters strictly forbid what we have while others say it should be allowed. My own Master was of the mindset that attachments would not lead to one falling. When you told me your story and of your home world. I knew instantly that there was no one I would rather have as my mate than you."

"I pledge my heart to you," said Dawn. "Till the day we die and even then, into the afterlife. Whether it be your afterlife or mine."

"I pledge my heart to you," said Mirin. "And may the Goddesses in their infinite wisdom forever shine their light on us and bless us."

Together, Dawn and Mirin held up their halves of the crystal. As they touched the two halves together there was a small flash of energy and Roan reached out took hold of the now whole crystal.

"Let no one here doubt the love Dawn and Mirin share. May the Force always be with you both and in your life together." Roan smiled fondly at the both of them. "I am happy to pronounce you wife and wife."

Mission bounced happily as she moved between the two women, both of whom wrapped an arm around her. She couldn't be happier than she was when Dawn had consented to be her mother as her family had just grown. As they walked from the chapel, she looked up at Mirin. "Can I call you mom, too?"

Mirin looked at the Twi-lek and thought about what Mission was asking. Technically she could be considered Mission's mother as well since Dawn technically adopted the Twi-lek when she took responsibility for the girl. "You may," she said.

"Thanks, mom," said Mission. She stopped and hugged first Dawn and then Mirin.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

At the end of the day they all gathered at the entrance of the Ebon Hawk.

Mission led Dawn and Mirin to Willow. "Auntie Willow?"

"Auntie?" said Willow as she looked at Dawn.

"Since I consider you like a sister…" Dawn said with a shrug.

Willow smiled and nodded. She liked that Dawn's adopted daughter saw her as her aunt. "Yes, Mission?" she said as she briefly patted the girl's head and let her fingers caress a lek on their way down to grab her waist to pull her close.

"Any word on Griff?" Mission whispered hopefully.

Willow glanced at Dawn, who had told her about what had happened on Dantooine with Lena. She looked down at Mission with a sigh. "Sorry, Mission."

A frown formed on the girl's face. "Bastila hasn't heard anything either. And Mama Dawn, Mama Mirin and I didn't find out anything either."

"Don't worry. If he's on Tatooine we'll find him." Dawn assured the Twi'lek. Mission nodded in agreement, her frown making way for determination.

"Okay, so what've we learned?" Bastila asked.

"There's a mighty good candy store just down the lane," the Twi'lek said, casting a hopeful look at Dawn, Mirin and Willow. "Can we buy some candy later?"

"I'll think about it," said Dawn. "But candy can be bad for you."

Mission pouted. "Not if it's just a little bit."

"Mission Vao-Summers," Dawn said as she gave Mission a disproving look. "If you keep pestering me, then the answer will be definitely no."

"Buy the Twi'lek some candy," Ordo said in his gravelly voice. "It's not like it'll kill her, not before the Sith get the chance to do so anyway."

"Don't tell me how to raise my daughter, Ordo," Dawn snarled, shooting him a venomous look. Mission grinned happily at the possessiveness.

Bastila was tapping her foot impatiently. "Are we honestly discussing whether we should feed a pubescent girl candy or not? Honestly?"

"You're the pubescent girl," Mission murmured, thinking the knight wouldn't hear.

"Care to repeat that on an audible level?" Bastila asked slowly, each and every syllable punctuated into an icy whip.

"Mission, apologize," said Dawn. "That was mean."

"Sorry, Bastila," Mission said she tried to shrink back behind Dawn.

"Now, let's discuss what we've learned," Bastila said.

Onasi was the first to turn professional and started telling of his, Ordo's and Bastila's findings. "The area around Anchorhead is under Czerka control. They started a mining operation here, but quickly found the ground very stale. Instead of leaving they expanded their business to different branches: gambling, swoop racing and hunting. There's supposed to be big game around here."

Juhani snarled at that. "Hunting for the trophy and not to provide for the clan. Such a waste."

"I couldn't agree more," added Mirin.

Sarryn watched Mirin and Juhani dryly. "Let me guess: you two are one of those types that chain themselves to a nuclear power plant to 'save the world', then act all surprised and undignified when the authorities arrest them?"

"How can you respect yourself when you can't even respect that where you came from?" Mirin said.

"Can we please stop sidetracking here?" Bastila asked impatiently.

"We asked around about the cavern you saw in your shared vision," Juhani said. "There aren't many caves around these parts, only in the unmapped regions of the dune seas to the east."

"Why's that area unmapped?" Dawn inquired.

"The dunes are the home of the krayt dragons." All eyes turned to Ordo; whose voice carried the hint of fear. "Massive reptilian creatures that can grow to up to 300 feet in size."

That elicited an amused giggle from Mission, who clearly thought it unbelievable. When nine faces watched her grimly her grin quickly faded. She looked up to Dawn, Willow and Mirin inquisitively. "He's kidding, right?"

Dawn looked around at the others to see if anyone knew. "'fraid not, Blue," Sarryn answered. "There are some documented sightings of specimens that big. But Ordo has a tendency to overstate facts. There are two types of Krayt Dragons: The Canyon Krayt Dragon and the Greater Krayt Dragon. The latter is the badass one, complete with ten legs and massive, whip-like tale. It incredibly rare though, only two have been sighted during the last five centuries. The Canyon Krayt Dragon is the common one and has an average size of a modest 100 feet."

"Oh, you had me worried there for a moment," Mission replied sarcastically. "That's totally not frightening at all."

"But our biggest problem will be the Sand People," Ordo continued unperturbedly. "Native species, highly territorial. As to be expected they are violent towards Czerka and other strangers, attacking miners and their sand crawlers."

Sarryn let out a dry snort. "We're Jedi, what's some Sand People to us? They probably still live in huts made from their own shit."

Onasi shook his head. "They are defending the lands that once belonged to them, but were invaded by aliens: Czerka."

"An organization that has been at the heart of the foundation of the modern Republic," Sarryn pointed out.

"Sure, by acquiring the necessary resources to do so, by whatever means necessary. But these lands are stale, there's nothing to gain here. Only mindless 'fun'."

Sarryn wanted to make another point to defend his case, but the silent voice of Mirin cut him off. "These Sand People see their lands defiled the same way the Cathar once saw their planet go to ruin." Her yellow eyes shot to Canderous. "Not to expand territory or gain resources. No, they did it purely to quench their lust for bloodshed. The Sand People are merely defending their lands, just like we once did."

Dawn reached across Mission to Mirin and patted her wife's hand comfortingly. Mirin glanced at Dawn appreciatively before turning back to Sarryn. Mirin silently dared Sarryn to defend the Czerka Corporation any further.

Dawn blinked as she suddenly saw a woman with yellow eyes perish in a fierce skirmish against the Mandalorians. The vision was coupled with a deep sense of loss, like it had once shredded her heart into a million tiny pieces.

"Oh god," Dawn murmured.

Sarryn looked at Dawn knowing she had just shared another vision with him. He looked at Mirin. "You're right, Mirin. Czerka doesn't belong here. But even if Czerka is wrong, there's no way we can resolve this situation. The Sand People were wrong as well, for they attacked innocent miners. Calling a truce will be impossible."

"There might be a way," Onasi interjected. "We ran into an alien who claimed Czerka isn't even making attempts to broker peace. He thinks simply speaking to the Sand People will bring greater understanding."

"Well, good luck understanding the burping noise that comes out of their mouths," Sarryn smirked.

"You don't speak Sand Peoplish?" Mission asked with a disbelieving stare.

"Nope," answered Sarryn. "It's not like we have time to play peacemaker anyways. We have a galaxy to save, remember?"

Bastila had folded her arms and was holding her chin in thought. "Peace here would be beneficial to the Republic," she muttered, more to herself than to the others. Her eyes hovered over Juhani and Mirin. "And if they've lived here for centuries, they'll know these lands inside out. They might speed up our search for the cavern housing the Star Map."

"One point at a time, please," the Mandalorian interjected. "We're going to need a hunter's license to enter the desert, otherwise we won't be able to even leave Anchorhead. We inquired about it in the local Czerka office, but they claim licenses aren't given out anymore. The lady at the counter said there's simply too much hunters around. And before you ask: there aren't any vacancies for miners either."

"Leave her to me," Sarryn said calmly. "I'll work my silver tongue on her and get that license."

Bastila watched her uncertainly for a moment, almost as if she were jealous, but then slowly nodded. "Yes, that might be our best option."

"If we do get the license; we met a woman we could help with it," Dawn said. "She's a widow, her husband was a hunter but found his end in the dunes. She desperately wishes to return to her family on Kuat, but doesn't have the money to do so. The only thing of value she possesses is a trophy left by her husband, but she can only sell it to the local broker with a hunter's license. Should we help her?"

"Well that depends now, does it?" Sarryn said with a smirk, pausing to make sure he got everyone's undivided attention. "Did she have a nice ass?"

Mission giggled and Ordo barked a laugh, but Bastila took a deliberate step forward and slapped her apprentice right across the cheek. He let out a hiss and grasped the flaming skin, looking at Bastila with a wronged expression. "Hey, it was just a joke!" Bastila glowered at him. "B-Bas, I'm sorry. You know your tight little butt is enough for me!"

"Maybe I should go back and talk to this woman again," Dawn suggested. "There might be a way to help her." She shot Sarryn a sharp glare. "Not for personal gain, but because we're good people."

"Sure, let's waste our time on a woman we don't know," Sarryn sarcastically remarked.

"I agree with Sarryn on this," Mirin surprisingly defended. "This woman is not clan, and her husband was a despicable hunter. Who knows what her true intentions are if she allowed her mate to violate these lands?"

Bastila noticed that Dawn suddenly looked down at the ground as if she had been chastised. She realized quickly who the dominant person in Dawn's and Mirin's relationship was, and it wasn't Dawn. She turned her attention to Mirin. "And what if she really is just a poor widow wanting out of this miserable place?" she inquired icily. "We are Jedi, we cannot let personal feelings get in the way of our duty. We must protect the weak."

Mirin faltered for a second, but didn't back down. "Even without my personal feelings, it would slow down progress on our mission. I think we should focus on our task, instead of going around as handymen. Each and every person in this galaxy has their problems, should we help them all?"

"Jedi are ever vigilant for injustice. If someone needs our help, I refuse to look the other way."

Mirin looked toward her mate, saw the downtrodden look that Dawn held. She realized that by Dawn being the submissive in their relationship, that she bowed to what Mirin wanted. She sighed as she looked back at Bastila, she caved in. "Very well commander, we'll do it yours and Dawn's way."

They then spoke about the results of their investigation some more. There was surprisingly little known about the dune seas or the two Sith Lords. Most people just had a lot of troubles and had begged the powerful Jedi for help. They discussed them long and short.

In the end Bastila called all of them off. "I've heard enough. We should get food and rest. Dawn, Sarryn and I'll make a plan of action for tomorrow."

"If that is all," Mirin said with a glance at Dawn. "I need to talk to my mate in private."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dawn and Mirin approached the Ebon Hawk's loading ramp, only to be met with an incredibly nervous Zaalbar blocking their way. "Umm, there's a slight problem, Dawn."

"Bastila!" Dawn called over her shoulder and Bastila and Sarryn hurried over.

"What?" Bastila asked.

"Big Z, said there is a slight problem," Dawn answered.

Bastila cocked an eyebrow and folded her arms, watching the large Wookiee impatiently. "What is it? Speak up!"

Zaalbar had the posture of someone who'd rather be in the pits of hell than in front of the cold knight. "I err… might accidently have taken a nap while I was guarding the ship," he admitted sheepishly.

"You slacker!" the knight exclaimed, making the large Wookiee flinch.

Dawn spun on Bastila as she glared at her master. "Treat Zaalbar with respect," she ordered.

Bastila ignored Dawn at least for the moment. "What happened while you were ignoring your duty?" she asked.

"Err, you see… this dockworker loaded a crate in the cargo hold. I told him we didn't order nothing, but he just left. I tried to haul it back out, but I let it slip and it… broke."

Bastila clasped her hand against her forehead and remained silent for a moment, no doubt counting to ten. "I don't want to know what was inside, do I?"

Zaalbar looked extremely uncomfortable. "P-probably not, ma'am. It was… it was a family of Gizka." A low growl escaped the knight's throat.

"Gizka?" Dawn asked.

"Not a single creature can match the spawn rate of the Gizka," Sarryn mused, digging through his memory. "They usually stick to a single territory they find comfortable, but are quite picky when it comes to choosing it. The Force is truly against us if these buggers decide to make the Ebon Hawk their home." He barked an amused laugh imagining a group of sex addicted reptiles living inside their ship.

The Wookiee gulped and added timidly, "They sort of seem to enjoy the Ebon Hawk… I think I saw one making a nest."

Sarryn's amused face fell to a worried frown. "Oh drat…"

"You know what," Dawn said. "I seem to remember my mate wanting to talk with me in private. Big Z, deal with them how you see fit as long as it meets Bastila's approval." She headed inside with Mirin right behind her.

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"Dawn?" said Mirin. "Talk to me."

Dawn let out a sigh. "I'm just not used to this role, Mirin. Being the one who is submissive. Buffy kind of saw me as a brat because I was very vocal on things. Shoot it was because of how vocal I was that you and I are mated now. If I had listened to my sister and allowed her to jump, I would be on Earth and we would never have met."

"Dawn," said Mirin. "Being submissive to me in the privacy of our quarters does not mean that you can't be the dominant person in other areas of our lives. You yourself said that when you crossed over that you knew instantly that you had something to do here. If you want to see what the Goddesses have in store for you, then you must take control of your life."

Dawn looked at Mirin and smiled. "Thank you, Mirin."

"You are welcome, beloved," said Mirin as she kissed Dawn.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"What do you reckon they're doing in there?" Canderous asked Onasi and Zaalbar. After an awkward dinner the three of them had found solace in the Ebon Hawk's workshop. The pilot was maintaining his weapons, the Wookiee stowing away some heavy supply boxes and the Mandalorian trying to get the swoop bike left by Davik Kang back to work. Dawn and Mirin had gone to the captain's quarters to talk privately, and had yet to come out after several hours.

Onasi glanced over his shoulder. "They're discussing our plan of action for tomorrow, what else?" he said even though he knew Bastila and Sarryn weren't with them. He was sure he knew what they were really doing in there.

The Mandalorian shot him a wolfish grin. "Without Shan or Baill? I'm pretty sure their engaging in other activities."

"We're on a mission to save the galaxy," the pilot shot back with a roll of his eyes. "I'm sure they'd rather focus on keeping our crew alive than on procrastination. I'm also quite sure they aren't even doing what your lecherous mind makes up. They're Jedi, remember?"

Canderous barked a loud laugh. "Sure mate, stay naïve! Abstinence, what a joke. You do remember that Summers and the Cathar are supposed to be mated, right? Cathar only have one mate for their entire lives. How do you think that happened? Once the hormones start raging not even an adamant mind is enough to stop you."

"Come on Ordo, they're Jedi, their better than that. Don't you have something better to do than to spread lame gossip like an old housewife?"

"Protective, aren't we? Or just jealous? Dawn is as pretty as she is queer."

"Dawn and I are friends," Onasi snapped. "We were never an issue, because I respect the fact that she's a Jedi and follows the Code."

"What's going on between them is for them only," the massive Wookiee growled at the Mandalorian. "Mirin belongs to Dawn. They are mated, they can do whatever they want."

"What do you mean, Mirin belongs to Dawn?" Onasi asked the Wookiee. "Last time I checked Mirin was a Knight, and Dawn was still a Padawan."

"Dawn hides it as Mirin is dominant in their relationship. But Dawn is the Alpha, she just has yet to realize it. Why do you think I swore a life debt to her?"

"I thought that was because Sarryn recommended it given where Dawn and Willow were from," Onasi said.

"He suggested it. But it was my call who I swore a life debt too. My life debt is to Dawn because I knew even if she didn't, she was an Alpha."

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"Mirin," Dawn said as she lay cuddled with Mirin under the sheets. "If I said I wanted to switch our roles in the bedroom. What would you say?"

"I would say it would be an interesting experiment," Mirin said.

"The thing is," Dawn sighed as she got out of bed and walked across the room. "For me to be dominant in the rest of our lives. I think I need to be dominant here as well." She turned back toward her wife. "I fear that if I am not dominant here. Then there are going to be more of what happened out there. I will always be submissive to you."

Mirin let out a sigh as she got out bed and walked over to her wife. "Dawn, if that is what we need to do. Then that is what will happen. I only want to make you happy. Till you I have never been in a relationship, or mated or even married till now. This is new to me as well. I only assumed the dominant role in our relationship because you were unfamiliar with Cathar."