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| - Carth nearly jumped out of his seat as Nik came through the door with Bastila. She now wore a set of skin-tight Jedi robes, and her lightsaber hung proudly on her belt. "Bastila, you're alive!” Finally things are looking up." "It's nice to see you too, Carth," Bastila replied, taking his hand with grace. It was impossible to miss the blue Twi'lek and her seven foot tall friend. "Oh, and I see you have met some...acquaintances." Mission eagerly ran up to the young Jedi and vigorously shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I'm Mission Vao, and this is Zaalbar." He roared a friendly greeting. “We’ve always wanted to meet a Jedi.” "A Wookiee. Why did it have to be a Wookiee?" Bastila groaned. Everyone in the apartment ignored the remark. She took a seat at the room’s only table. "Well, now that I am back in charge of this mission we can start doing things more properly. Where is your ship?" Nik let his mouth hang wide open. It occurred to him that the whole time he and Carth had been trying to look for Bastila, they had forgotten about finding a way off this planet. " Uh...ship?" Bastila nodded as if she understood, but looked at Nik curiously. "That is all right. I am sure we can find transport for a reasonable price. What is your plan for getting past the Sith blockade?" "Uh...plan?" Bastila stood up and looked at everyone with disbelief. "You don't have a plan? What have you been doing all this time, befriending street urchins and walking carpets?" Nik restrained Mission from pouncing on Bastila. "We were looking for you, remember? Mission and Zaalbar helped us find you, so they deserve your respect." Bastila looked about ready to slap Nik in the face. "You will respond to your superiors in a proper manner, Lieutenant!" "Who died and put you in charge?" "The Dark Lord Revan!" Carth saw this was getting out of hand and stood between his two comrades. "Look, there’s no point in arguing who’s in charge here. We’re all in this together." Bastila took a deep breath and spoke more gently. "Captain Onasi is right. I apologize for my outburst." She rested on one of the apartment's twin beds, crossing her legs into a meditative position. “There is no emotion; there is peace.” "Apology accepted. Now, as for a ship...I’ve met a few people around here, and most of them are dying to get off planet. Maybe a local celebrity like the champion swoop racer could persuade them to run the blockade." Before the apartment doorbell rang, Bastila snatched her lightsaber from her belt and leaped over their heads, landing square in front of the room's only door. Two golden blades burst from the metal hilt. "Get down! I'll handle this." The small alien who rang the bell jumped at the sight of the fierce Jedi. "Whoa, wrong door!" Nik grabbed Bastila by the shoulders. "Are you crazy? Keep your saber hidden. It could have been Sith!" Bastila ignored Nik's orders and raised her blade. "Who are you and what is your business here?" Nik looked at the visitor and recognized the old Duros. "Relax, Master Jedi. It's just the guy from the swoop track." "Yup, that me. Trask Ulgo at service. Have message for big swooper Nik Starkil--Starfall." Bastila deactivated her saber as Nik leaned against the doorway uncomfortably. Mission and Carth crowded the threshold from either side. "Who's it from?" Nik asked. "Canderous Ordo,” Trask spoke softly. “He want to meet you at Javyyar's Cantina." Mission’s eyes buldged. "Whoa! You got a meeting with Canderous Ordo?" Carth practically pushed Nik out of the apartment as he leaned over to look at the Twi'lek. "You know him, Mission?" "Of course. Canderous is Davik’s leading man. He’s a Mandalorian. Tough one, too." "Aren't they all?" Nik staked his claim at the door and turned back to the Duros. "What does this Canderous want with me, Trask?" Trask shrugged. "He no say." Bastila pushed them all out of her way, no doubt with help from the Force. "I don't like the sound of this. It could be a trap." "Perhaps, but traps can work both ways. It could be our way off of this rock. Mission said Davik has a ship fast enough to break the blockade." Mission nodded and Trask confirmed the rumor. "The Ebon Hawk. Best ship I fly." Nik paid no attention to what Duros said and had already grabbed his rifle. "It's settled. If you'll excuse me, I have to go meet a Mandalorian about a ship." “Whoa, looks like we got a celebrity in the house! You’re that swooper that won the season opener, aren’t you?” Nik looked at the young woman and said nothing. A man a few years Nik’s senior perked his ears. “You’re a swoop racer? Crazy fool.” With a groan and a sigh, Nik admitted to his identity to the wild fans. The woman persisted, interrogating him without mercy. With wide eyes she listened to tale of how Nik Starfall learned how to swoop while racing the streets of Taris in search of a cure for his dying mother. After a few minutes she became either bored or satisfied, and allowed Nik to step through the door. Heavy laughter bellowed from a table in the corner. “Once you’re famous, kid, it never ends. Clear out, all of ya!” The fans scurried away from the deep voice. It belonged to a burly man in his early forties wearing a black shirt and red vest that showed off his Mandalorian tattoo. As with every other scum and villainy on Taris, a heavy blaster was within his reach, the rifle casually lying on the round table. The man offered his beefy hand. “Nice to meet you, kid. I’m Canderous of the Clan Ordo.” The soldier was not surprised by the man’s remarkable strength. “So I’ve heard. Nik Starfall. It’s a pleasure.” Canderous’ face grew serious. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to cut to the chase. I know all about you, how you were a Republic soldier on the Endar Spire.” Nik didn’t falter from the man’s gaze. “And I know all about you. What’s a Mandalorian warrior doing beating down innocent civilians for money?” Canderous chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “I know what you’re thinking. Mandalorians are known their honor in battle, and the Exchange is made of cowards and mercenaries. I’m only here on business.” Canderous took their drinks from the young waitress and gave her a few credits and a slap on the behind. The girl jumped and giggled. “I got stranded here when those damn Sith placed their blockade, and Davik promised me some good pay to work for him.” Nik spit back what he figured the Mandalorians considered to be alcohol and ordered a Ruby Bliel. “So you want to get off planet as well.” Canderous gestured around. “Doesn’t everybody? I’ve got a plan that will get us past the Sith, and after that stunt you pulled at the race, I figure you’re the only guy around crazy enough to pull it off. Davik is always looking to recruit new talent to the Exchange. I can convince him that you’re looking for a job, and while he checks you out, we steal his ship from right under his nose. Are you interested?” Nik grabbed his second drink off the waitress’ tray and raised it. “Canderous, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” The two prongs of the ship’s bow sliced through fabric of space as the Leviathan loomed in orbit over the planet Taris. On the bridge platform Darth Malak towered over his subordinates, his eyes fixed on the city below. His muscles buldged under his synthetic red armor, and a black cape flowed from his back. Malak glanced out of the corner of his eye as Admiral Karath approached with caution and kneeled, even though the Dark Lord never shifted his gaze otherwise. “You summoned me, Lord Malak?” “The search for Bastila is taking too long,” the Sith Lord growled, his metallic voice ringing from a device underneath the metal shield guarding it. “We cannot risk her escaping Taris. Destroy the entire planet.” Karath stared at his dark master is horror. “The...the entire planet, Lord Malak? But there are billions of people on Taris! We’d be slaughtering countless innocent victims! Not to mention our own men still on the surface.” Invisible hands began to clutch Karath’s throat as Malak spoke, “You predecessor once made the mistake of questioning my judgement, Admiral. Surely you are not so foolish as to make the same mistake.” Karath coughed violently until Malak released him. “Of...of, of course not, my Lord Malak. I will do as you command, but it will take several hours to position our fleet.” “Then I suggest you begin immediately!” Malak turned his back and gazed at Taris once again. The Mandalorian escorted the two soldiers and the Jedi through the Exchange leader’s estate. Nik’s eyes followed dozens of servants in a variety of species as they rushed about. A battalion of bounty hunters led the group to an isolated section of the base and locked the door behind them. Minutes later, the Exchange members returned and cleared the way for their leader. Davik was a well into his late fifties, but was well built for his age. He wore a special suit of purple armor, and kept a prized blaster at his hip. Nik was shocked to see the bounty hunter Calo Nord at his side. “So, Canderous, I see you’ve brought some people with you. Most... intriguing, if I do say so myself. You usually travel alone.” “It’s not like you take on partners, Canderous,” Nord mocked. “You’re getting soft.” Canderous towered over the little man. “Watch yourself, Calo! You may be the newest kath hound to the pack, but you aren’t top dog yet.” Davik pushed Canderous aside. “Enough! I won’t have my top two men killing each other; that’s not good business. I’m sure Canderous has a reason as to why he’s not working solo anymore.” “This is a special case, Davik. I ran into someone who the Exchange might want to recruit. You may have heard of some of his exploits already.” Davik eyes widened, and he held out his hand to Nik. “Ah yes! Now I recognize your companion. The rider who won the big swoop race. Very impressive! As was your performance in the heated battle afterwards.” Nik grinned and shook Davik’s hand. The ploy was working beautifully. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle, Mr. Kang.” Davik then stepped forward, took Bastila’s hand, and kissed it. “And who is this lovely young lady to accompany you?” Nik jerked his head towards Bastila and Carth, trying to formulate a story. “This is my girlfriend...Mission is her name. And this is Big Z, my agent and bodyguard.” Davik and nodded to Carth, and Nik could feel four eyes burning into his back. “You know, Canderous is right. The Exchange is always looking to recruit new talent. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, and with Canderous’ recommendation, you could become part of this one-time offer!” Nik smiled. “Your offer intrigues me, Mr. Kang.” The crime lord threw an arm around Nik’s shoulders. “Please, call me Davik!” Without a word, the Exchange guards stepped away from the door. “Come, I will give you a tour of my operations. I’m sure you’ll be most impressed.” Between boasts, the Exchange leader guided his guests through the vast estate. A Jedi holocron snatched from the corpse of a fallen Knight during the Mandalorian Wars, the prototype unit of the modern energy shield, and a Wookiee amulet courtesy of Czerka Corporation were just a few of the rare and expensive items that decorated Davik’s home. As the Exchange boss bored them with anecdotes about his early days on Taris, Nik peeked into one of the side rooms. The walls were covered with the heads of various animals. Nik recognized a few of them: iriaz, rancor, gundark, wraid. A large pearl rested upon one shelf, and a pile of tach glands on another. Soon, Davik had led them to a hangar, where massive ship with rusted red paint rested. “Ah, there she is, the Ebon Hawk! Best thing I ever stole,” Davik said proudly placing a hand on the hull. “I’ve installed her with a state-of-the-art security system around the door to the hangar. Without the codes, no one can steal my baby. Isn’t that right?” He stroked the ship with a caring hand. "But we should continue our tour!” Davik personally locked the hangar door and punched in the security code. The sightseeing tour eventually the group to a new area of the estate, making Nik wonder just how large the complex was, and, for that matter, how much money Davik had. The group halted outside one of the estate’s colorful doors. A team of security guards blocked their view as a technician entered the code to unlock the door. The whole entourage paraded into the apartment, swept for security devices, and marched out. Davik gestured everyone inside. “These will be your accommodations for the duration of your stay. The slave quarters are down to your left if you need anything--food, a massage--feel free to use their services at anytime. I have to run a background check on you, but if it goes well, you’ll be invited to join the Exchange.” Nik shook Davik’s hand again. “I look forward to working with you, Davik.” Davik smiled. “As do I! Come Calo, let us leave our guests in peace.” Davik and his army of guards left. The small bounty hunter lingered, his face a blank slate. Nik imagined that behind Calo’s dark goggles lay suspicious eyes, squinting at the three mysterious strangers. Canderous returned Calo’s gaze and waited for his rival to exit. “Okay, we’re inside. Now all we have to do is get the codes to disable the security system protecting the Ebon Hawk. You three stay here; I’ll check the slave quarters and see if there are any rumors floating about.” Carth, Nik, and Bastila remained in the luxurious room alone. No one spoke. Bastila used meditation as an excuse to avoid speaking. Nik remained quiet as he sat at the table and poured himself a shot of alcohol, afraid to provoke another fight, and he imagined Carth’s reason was similar. Less than a month earlier, the Jedi had commandeered Carth’s ship and placed Bastila in charge. The moment was quite awkward, and Nik relished in the silence, for he had much on his mind. “Would you please desist in staring at me?” Nik saw that Bastila’s eyes were still closed. “Excuse me?” “You have been looking in my direction for some time now. You are distracting me.” Nik said nothing. Bastila began to levitate about a foot above the bed. “You seem as if something’s troubling you.” Nik scratched his head as the visions he had experienced earlier came flooding back. “Something weird happened to me when we first met. Like...a vision.” “A vision of what?” “You, fighting a Dark Jedi. Revan.” The Jedi collapsed on the floor with a thud. She jumped to her feet immediately and moved closer. “Well, my Battle Meditation ability does have that effect. It inspires courage among allies. I would imagine that seeing me defeat Revan would certainly make you at ease.” “It scared the hell out of me.” “I thought that your ability required great concentration.” Carth was busy at the room’s workbench, fiddling with his twin blaster pistols. “At least, that was your excuse when the Endar Spire got blown to bits.” Bastila ignored his remark. “Was this your first time having a vision?” “No, I had another after me and Carth crash-landed here,” Nik explained. “I assumed it was from me falling unconscious during the escape.” Bastila returned to her meditation, hoping to end the conversation there. “Perhaps it was simply a dream. We have met before. I am sure--” “Your lightsaber.” “Pardon?” “Your lightsaber. It’s yellow.” She nodded, but said nothing, so Nik continued speaking, “I noticed when you tried to cut that Duros to pieces. When you were on the Endar Spire, I never once saw you use it.” Still nothing. “But I saw it in my first dream. Still yellow, but a single blade. Just like the one you used to fight Revan, right?” Bastila remained a silent for a moment. “This is...strange. Such visions often are a sign of Force Sensitivity.” Nik raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?” “More Jedi mumbo-jumbo.” Carth blew dust off of his blaster and began working on the second. “The Force is in all of us,” Bastila attempted to explain, “but for most it is barely a measureable whisper. However, there are those outside the Jedi Order we consider ‘Force Sensitive.’ It would not be unheard of.” Once again, she closed her eyes. Nik watched with interest as she began to float a full three feet above the floor. “It may be possible that in the heat of battle, you experienced one of my more intense memories.” Nik shook his ahead again. This was where the line of knowledge crossed between Jedi and normal people. “What does this mean?” Bastila sighed. “The Force is complicated. Even I, with all my training, cannot fully answer.” She opened her eyes for a second to see that Nik still looked uneasy. “Once we reach the Ebon Hawk, we will travel to Dantooine. There is a Jedi Enclave there, and the Council can explain this to you more fully.” Carth twirled his blasters and answered a rap at the door. “Well, you took a while. Did you find anything?” Canderous looked around the corner and shut the door. He stretched out his muscles as he said, “Yup, and I decided to get a massage while I was at it.” Bastila groaned, “How typically male. Is it possible you can keep your mind on the task at hand?” Canderous threw a mocking salute and poured himself a drink. “Oh yes, ma’am! Anyway, one of the slaves told me that the pilot of the Ebon Hawk was caught stealing spice.” Canderous downed his drink and slung his rifle over his shoulder. “Although he usually gets away with it, since the Sith came with the quarantine he doesn’t get special treatment. Davik locked him in the ‘guest’ room.” Nik picked up his own rifle. “We’d better get to him...or what’s left of him.” Canderous peered out the door. “Allow me to lead the way.” The prison room was located on a different floor, a good distance from the guest quarters, so that no one would overhear any sensitive information regarding Exchange business. As Canderous guided him through the maze that was Davik’s estate, Nik realized that without the Mandalorian’s help, he would be lost for hours. “So, Bastila, Nik told me that you were captured by the Black Vulkars. It must be embarrassing to have been captured by a couple of street thugs.” “There were extenuating circumstances, and I can assure you it took more than a handful of street thugs to subdue me.” “Don’t underestimate her, Canderous. She’s tough; I’ve seen her in action.” The Mandalorian shrugged at the captain and looked at Nik, who nodded in agreement. “Whatever you say. But if the Republic had more Jedi like this spoiled princess back then, my people might not have lost the war.” “I was not spoiled!” Bastila pointed violently, her hands shaking about in a seemingly random motion. “And you are a--“ Just as before, she relaxed rather hastily. “No, no. ‘There is no emotion, there is peace.’” Canderous snorted. “You Jedi are all alike, never putting up a fight. Well, except Revan, I guess.” Bastila glared and motioned to the door ahead of them. “Enough, Mandalorian. As you can see, we have arrived.” Nik was already trying to pick the lock, but the security programming was tough. Bastila came through, activated her saber, and shoved it into the door. A hole of molten metal began to form, and soon, the saber had cut through the computerized lock No one actually heard the door open; their ears were overwhelmed by shrieks and screams of agony. The room was lined with a dozen torture cages, one of which imprisoned an elderly Duros. “We must help him!” Bastila cried. “How do you turn that cage off?” Nik surveyed the room for half a second and found the switch. The buzzing energy of the force cage died down. The alien nearly hugged Nik as he came out. “Thank you! I feel like me was going mad!” Nik stared at the alien’s face in disbelief. “Hey, you’re the one from the swoop track.” The Duros gasped a confirmation. Why is this guy popping up everywhere? Nik thought, but forgot about the matter immediately. Shaking his head, he said, “We’re trying to steal the Ebon Hawk. Think you can help?” Trask took in deep breaths and nodded, still recovering from the pain of the torture. “Sure. No have job now, since Davik put me in here.” The Duros handed Nik a datapad. “Me getting outta here! Bye, Starfall, hope me see you again.” And he ran out of the room. “We got what we came for, now let’s get going.” Bastila nodded, “Although it displeases me to admit it, I agree with the Mandalorian. We must leave immediately.” She shuddered at something only a Jedi could feel. “I sense a disturbance in the Force.” As they left, Nik couldn’t help but feel a similar cold sensation. Saul Karath climbed up to Lord Malak who stood at the bridge viewport, overlooking Taris. The leader of the fleet bowed and struggled to get the next few words out of his voice. “Taris is defenseless against our assault, Lord Malak. They are offering no resistance.” “Begin the bombardment, Admiral.” The Dark Lord held up his hands and clenched his fists as if trying to crush the planet himself. “Wipe this pathetic planet from the face of the galaxy.” Fire rained down on the planet of Taris. Raw energy blasted from a score of laser cannons, obliterating everything in its path. Flaming debris flew everywhere. Fire spread through the streets. The skies of Taris blazed a brilliant shade of red. Screams and shouts echoed through the streets as buildings collapsed around frighten civilians. Taris, the Coruscant of the Outer Rim, was no more. Davik covered his head as he and Calo tried to dodge the raining laser blasts. “Damn those Sith! They’re bombing the whole planet. I knew they’d turn on us sooner or--” He looked up to see Canderous, Starfall, and the man and woman standing in the doorway “Well, look at what we got here, thieves in the hangar.” Calo whipped out his pistols. “I’ll take care of them, Davik. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. Canderous trained his oversized rifle on the Exchange leader’s forehead. “We’ve got you outnumbered, Davik. Two Republic soldiers, a Jedi, and a Mandalorian. Think about it.” Davik stared at his former employee with cold eyes. He didn’t feel betrayed; he knew it was only a matter of time before Canderous would turn on him Everyone did sooner or later. They all remained silent as Davik weighed his options. The booming explosions of the Sith fleet’s lasers were but an echo in the distance. Finally, Davik turned to the small, deadly bounty hunter. “Make it quick, Calo. These Sith mean business. If we don’t get to our ships soon these bombs they’re dropping will kill--“ Three white blaster shots ripped through Davik’s skull. Canderous turned to Nord. “Give it up, Calo.” “You may have me outnumbered and outgunned, but if I fall, I’m taking you all with me!” the small bounty hunter crowed as he gripped a thermal detonator, his thumb eager to press the button. Before either side could respond, the floor quaked from the bombardment, causing Calo to drop his grenade. “Damn those Sith! They’ll bring this whole hangar down around our ears!” Blaster bolts shred through the ceiling, tearing the estate apart. Calo screamed in agony as a support beam collapsed, crushing him under a pile of rubble. Canderous pressed a button on the Hawk’s hull and the ramp lowered. “Let’s get this ship fired up! Your friends are on their way. Once they--“ Zaalbar came roaring through with Mission. The girl shouted, “We’re here, let’s go!” Dodging debris from the collapsing ceiling, the group charged up the loading ramp. The three Republic officers stumbled into the cockpit; Nik leaned against one of the computer panels as Carth and Bastila jumped into the pilot seats. Within moments the Ebon Hawk blazed across the crimson sky through the rain of fire as the Sith continued to raze the planet. Bastila breathed deeply. “Plot a course for Dantooine! There’s a Jedi Enclave there where we can find refuge.” A loud beeping came from Carth’s console. “Incoming fighters!” “Keep her steady! I’ll take care of them.” Nik scrambled up the ladder to the ship’s gun well and seized the controls, not bothering to strap himself in. Six red blips dashed about the sensor display screen. “Here they come...” The Ebon Hawk swerved about, darting fire from the squadron of Sith fighters. Lasers blasted from cannons mounted on the sleek fighters’ twin wings, pummeling the Hawk’s shields. “I thought you said you were gonna take care of them!” Carth’s voice shouted over the speaker. “They’re coming in too fast!” Nik cried. As the squadron made a second pass, he pounded on the trigger. Red bolts of energy burned through two of the enemy fighters. Two down, four to go. Nik fell out of his seat as the Hawk buckled from a continuous stream of Sith fire. “Watch your six, Nik!” He did a one-eighty with the laser cannon and blasted one of the fighters making a third pass from behind. He caught two more as they tried to escape his return fire. Only one more, Nik assured himself. He trained his cannon on the remaining fighter as it continued to tail the Hawk. The small ship dodged a few stray shots and disappeared from Nik’s view. He checked the display: nothing. “That’s all of them, Carth.” “Good job, soldier. I’ll--” Alarms hollered and the comm. system turned to static. A tiny red dot flashed on the sensor screen. Sensor jamming. Damn. Nik’s fire went astray as the tiny fighter dashed about, stubborn in its pursuit of the small freighter. Each time Nik acquired a target lock, the enemy pilot activated the jamming system. By chance, one of his erratic shots nicked the tip of the fighter’s port wing. “That got him!” The Sith pilot quit the game of cat-and-mouse, attacking the Hawk head-on, guns blazing. Nik hammered the gun controls in a vain attempt to increase his rate of fire. Warning sirens screamed in his ears. The fighter swarmed towards Nik, brilliant lasers blinding him, until it all vanished, replaced by the blue and white swirl of hyperspace. Smoke and dust billowed over the planet of Taris. The rubble of the city continued to smolder hours after the attack. Malak’s fleet had forever cast a shadow on the world, from which the planet would never recover. “Taris is in ruins...another planet to take off the map,” Karath said half-heartedly. “I hope you’re not questioning your judgment, Admiral. You certainly proved your loyalty at Telos.” Karath could feel a tickle in the back of his throat. “Of course, Lord Malak. The benefits certainly outweigh the costs. Without Bastila’s Battle Meditation, the Republic will soon be defenseless against our attacks.” Malak spoke slowly. “Bastila is still alive.” Karath looked up in alarm. “That’s impossible!” Whirling around and facing the admiral, Malak demanded, “Did any ships breach the blockade?” Saul tried to speak calmly, but the fear in his voice was still audible, “Well, there were a few. Once we began the attack, everyone on the surface panicked. Our fighters took care of those that escaped.” As always, the Dark Lord looked out the large bridge viewport into space. “Not all of them.”
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