Niki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
niki_chidon) wrote2010-02-14 06:30 am
niki_chidon) wrote2010-02-14 06:30 am
Fic: Nights of the Old Republic 22/? (SW:KotOR, femRevan/Carth)
No, I haven't forgotten this story!
This chapter uses quite a lot of dialogue from the game but I hope you feel there's a good reason for it:) I also concentrate more on the relationship stuff than the action, as I have done in the story earlier. I trust anyone who minds has stopped reading ages ago;)
Besides, it's Valentine's Day, so a little fluff is in order, huh? Then again, this is more friendship than romance stuff.
Title: Nights of the Old Republic (22/?): Kashyyyk
Author: Niki
Fandom: SW: KotOR
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Notes: I take some liberties with the dialogue and story lines... even some characters. This is called ’creative licence’ aka ’so I didn’t remember the exact wording of that line’ aka ’but it made no SENSE in the game’.
Previous parts: Prologue, Chapter 1, Interlude, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19 and Chapter 20
Chapter 21: Kashyyyk
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Zaalbar had not been idle during the voyage to Kashyyyk. He had spent his time adjusting Calo Nord's armour to Shin's smaller frame. It was better than the one she'd been using so she was more than happy to wear it when they landed on the Wookiee planet.
She'd have thought Zaalbar would have been happier seeing his home planet but he seemed almost reluctant to join the small team Shin took with her.
Leave it to the taciturn Wookiee to reveal the reason behind his silence at the last possible moment – literally.
As if seeing the planet in the hands of Czerka slavers wasn't bad enough. To find out Zaalbar's brother was aiding them... and that he had caused Zaalbar to be banished from his home forever... She knew they'd have to do something about the situation even before Chuundar captured his brother and demanded co-operation from Shin for his release.
She sighed silently as she and Carth and HK-47 made their way towards the “Shadowlands” - the ground beneath the high trees that housed the Wookiee villages.
Of course it wouldn’t be as simple as finding the next Star Map, oh no. Now it seemed they had to save Zaalbar, do something about the slavery, and kick Czerka off the planet. Sure, what more?
Dark Jedi sent to bring them to Malak? Piece of cake. Malak's apprentice himself? No problem.
Wookiee ceremonial beast that turns out to be a terentatek? Naturally. Invisible Mandalorians? Bring it on.
Not to forget the crazy old is-he-or-isn’t-he-Jedi they met in the Shadowlands and who wanted to join them on their quest since he had nothing better to do.
Nothing fazed Shin any more.
That didn't mean the fight against Darth Bandon hadn't been one of the toughest they'd ever faced, or that she'd enjoyed meeting another terentatek. Still, it was old and weak, and much easier to defeat than the two on Korriban she'd had to face alone.
They also found the remains of the third Jedi sent to hunt the beasts. Guun Han Saresh had grown arrogant in his hunt and it had proven to be his downfall. But he was not the Jedi Shin was thinking about afterwards. It was like every terentatek she killed was an offering to Shaela Nuur to whom she felt such kinship over her doomed love.
Still, there was no time for sentiment. They found the fabled ceremonial blade of the Wookiee Bacca and with that they could work with Zaalbar and Chuundar's father, Freyyr, to try to take control back in the village peacefully.
No such luck.
But before that there was their actual target on the planet, the Star Map. The ex-Jedi (?) Jolee Bindo showed them the way to the weird computer that the map was hooked to but it refused to allow them access. (As it apparently had denied Jolee Bindo 152 times. At least he was patient, then. Or stubborn.)
The computer released battle droids for them to fight and Shin was impressed at how useful the old man was in a fight against them despite his crazy ramblings. So maybe he was a Jedi, after all...
After the fight something weird happened. The computer claimed to recognise Shin.
“What?” She and Carth looked at each other, then shrugged. Not the first weird thing they'd encountered during their quest, and if it meant they were able to access the map, even better.
They copied down the info, and realised they almost had a full map by now.
“Maybe one more, and we'll have it,” Shin concluded, going through the info.
- - -
They collected Freyyr and made their way back up to the village to confront Chuundar after convincing the old chieftain there was no need for violence, that they could solve this peacefully.
And they tried, really tried, to make the Zaalbar's brother to see reason, but to no use. The chieftain attacked, and it all ended in bloodshed. Again.
Shin was getting tired of fighting, tired of killing. Maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a hero. Or even a Jedi. Because no matter how much everyone repeated that they were diplomats and went on about the peaceful way of life it sure seemed like she ended up fighting her way out of situations more often than not.
They won. But the price of that victory was the life of many Wookiees that had only done what their chieftain told them to do.
- - -
That night there was a party in the village. They celebrated the end of slavery, and the beginning of a war. The Ebon Hawk’s crew were invited but were told that when they left no outsiders would be allowed on the planet for a long time.
Everyone welcomed the chance to relax, and Shin smiled when she saw Bastila laughing with Mission and some younger Wookiees, looking more her age than she ever had.
Still, Shin escaped the revelries early, and found a peaceful spot to sit down to look at the stars. She wasn't surprised or bothered when Carth found her a little while later.
“You mind?” he asked, gesturing towards the bench she was sitting on.
What could she say, never mind your company? She merely shook her head and smiled at him before resuming her stargazing.
“Are you okay?” he asked, after a while.
“Yes. I just… couldn't stomach celebrating the beginning of more bloodshed – even if it is a fight for freedom,” she explained.
“I know how you feel. I've seen more battle in my life than any man should. But if I ever get comfortable with it, I might as well shoot myself.”
They looked at the stars in silence until Shin broke it again.
“The universe is so beautiful. I sometimes forget, seeing all that darkness. And thinking about Malak, somewhere among those stars, hunting Bastila. And I wonder how long we'll have before he hears of Bandon’s demise and sends the next one after us…”
“Saul is out there, too,” Carth said quietly. “You know, I met Malak once, when he was still a Jedi,” he ´went on, conversationally.
“You never told me.” Shin turned to look at him.
“Didn't come up, I suppose. I was impressed by Malak. I guess that just shows how much dark side can change someone.”
“No one has told me why they turned. Do you know?”
“Nobody does. When they left after the Mandalorian wars ended, they were Jedi. When they returned… they were something else. And, well, had a seemingly endless supply of ships, and no one knew where that came from either.”
“And they seem to keep getting more while our forces dwindle,” Shin said slowly, thinking.
“And still... Malak hasn't won. He betrayed Revan, and I suppose one day his apprentice will try to defeat him. In the end, the dark side won't help him.”
“I've been… thinking about the dark side. After all, every Jedi I've met seems to feel they need to warn me about falling.”
“I, uh... used to think that it was a fancy name for something that I see every day. Corruption is everywhere. People are greedy and stupid and do horrible things. I'm starting to think it's different for the Jedi, however. That there's this evil, watching for its chance.”
Shin only looked at him.
“You have so much courage in you… yet, somehow, I have no trouble imagining it differently. Like the flip side of a coin. And it's not just you. It's Bastila, as well. She's so... intense. I don't pretend to know much about the Force... but I know evil. When you have so much power, the stakes are higher. I can only imagine the kind of conflict that goes on inside you.”
“I'm not falling to the dark side, Carth, and I won't.” In her own ears it sounded like a pledge made to him personally.
“No? Well, I hope so, but I know how people change. I remember how Malak looked and acted before his return… I bet the old Malak discounted the possibility that he would ever fall, as well. Neither you nor Bastila are fully trained on how to handle your power, yet. I'm just concerned at what might come.”
“That's so sweet. I didn't know you cared,” Shin teased to lighten the mood. Of course she knew he cared.
Still, unsurprisingly, it flustered Carth. “Well, that's not what I... I mean... I wouldn't want to see you hurt. Either of you. I suppose finding the Star Maps is more important than your training… and your safety. I just hope there isn't a price for you to pay.”
They sat for a while in silence, Shin not knowing what to say, or how to reassure him.
“Look, I don't want to be all doom and gloom, but I worry, okay?” Carth said.
“It just means you care,” Shin said, smiling.
“Yeah, I do. You have this incredible future ahead of you Shin, everyone can see it, from the old man in Taris to Jolee Bindo, whatever he claims his motives are... And... I suppose I just want to help you to get there in one piece. Heh, I suppose I found a reason to hang around even if we get Saul, huh?”
“Whatever it takes to keep you with us, Carth,” Shin said, grinning, to hide the fact he was actually touched by his words.
“Well, there are less worthy causes than protecting you, Shin. Whether that means protecting you from the Sith... or yourself, I don't know.”
“Why are you doing it, really, Carth?”
“Because... because I never got the chance to save my wife. Because I didn't stop Saul when I had the chance. Because I finally have the chance to do it right. You are an extraordinary woman... you make me think that maybe I might have some purpose beyond revenge.”
Did he mean that in a way she hoped he did? After all, if she made him think about his wife...
“Anyway, I don't know if it means anything to you... but it does to me.”
“It means a lot to me, Carth. Thank you.” Probably more than the man would ever understand.
“Carth... tell me about your wife.” She said suddenly, surprising even herself.
“Morgana? You don't think that would be... weird?”
“No. I’d like to know. Unless, of course, you would feel…”
“No, I… It’s just that… I’ve been thinking about her a lot, lately, ever since we saw Dustil and… At least trying to. But… I can’t remember her face. I try, and it just disappears. I remember the things she did, our last fight, even the way her hair smelled, but I just can’t…”
“Don’t you have a holo of her?”
“I lost my last one when Endar Spire was destroyed.”
“I’m so sorry, that must be… I can’t even imagine how hard. Knowing what you have lost… it’s easier for me, I suppose. I don’t remember what I’ve forgotten.”
“You think you… had someone?” Carth asked hesitantly.
“No!” she said fast, maybe too fast. Did she really think so or was that all for Carth’s benefit? But she didn’t feel like she had. Then again, what did she know.
“No, I… I would like to think I’d know somehow, feel the loss on some level, and I don’t. Anyway, what did Morgana do?”
“She was a writer. That allowed her to stay at home with Dustil when I was… gone. We were young when we married. I hated leaving her, and later our son but… It was my job. And then the war started… I had to go, to protect the galaxy for them. For every child and mother on every Republic planet. And… even though it meant I wasn’t there for them when they needed me… I can’t regret that decision. I won’t.”
Shin didn't know what to say, didn't know whether to offer sympathy or confirmation. Instead, she leaned slightly against him, rested her head on his shoulder, and let her gaze wander to the stars again.
- - -
Continued in Chapter 22.
This chapter uses quite a lot of dialogue from the game but I hope you feel there's a good reason for it:) I also concentrate more on the relationship stuff than the action, as I have done in the story earlier. I trust anyone who minds has stopped reading ages ago;)
Besides, it's Valentine's Day, so a little fluff is in order, huh? Then again, this is more friendship than romance stuff.
Title: Nights of the Old Republic (22/?): Kashyyyk
Author: Niki
Fandom: SW: KotOR
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Notes: I take some liberties with the dialogue and story lines... even some characters. This is called ’creative licence’ aka ’so I didn’t remember the exact wording of that line’ aka ’but it made no SENSE in the game’.
Previous parts: Prologue, Chapter 1, Interlude, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19 and Chapter 20
Chapter 21: Kashyyyk
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Zaalbar had not been idle during the voyage to Kashyyyk. He had spent his time adjusting Calo Nord's armour to Shin's smaller frame. It was better than the one she'd been using so she was more than happy to wear it when they landed on the Wookiee planet.
She'd have thought Zaalbar would have been happier seeing his home planet but he seemed almost reluctant to join the small team Shin took with her.
Leave it to the taciturn Wookiee to reveal the reason behind his silence at the last possible moment – literally.
As if seeing the planet in the hands of Czerka slavers wasn't bad enough. To find out Zaalbar's brother was aiding them... and that he had caused Zaalbar to be banished from his home forever... She knew they'd have to do something about the situation even before Chuundar captured his brother and demanded co-operation from Shin for his release.
She sighed silently as she and Carth and HK-47 made their way towards the “Shadowlands” - the ground beneath the high trees that housed the Wookiee villages.
Of course it wouldn’t be as simple as finding the next Star Map, oh no. Now it seemed they had to save Zaalbar, do something about the slavery, and kick Czerka off the planet. Sure, what more?
Dark Jedi sent to bring them to Malak? Piece of cake. Malak's apprentice himself? No problem.
Wookiee ceremonial beast that turns out to be a terentatek? Naturally. Invisible Mandalorians? Bring it on.
Not to forget the crazy old is-he-or-isn’t-he-Jedi they met in the Shadowlands and who wanted to join them on their quest since he had nothing better to do.
Nothing fazed Shin any more.
That didn't mean the fight against Darth Bandon hadn't been one of the toughest they'd ever faced, or that she'd enjoyed meeting another terentatek. Still, it was old and weak, and much easier to defeat than the two on Korriban she'd had to face alone.
They also found the remains of the third Jedi sent to hunt the beasts. Guun Han Saresh had grown arrogant in his hunt and it had proven to be his downfall. But he was not the Jedi Shin was thinking about afterwards. It was like every terentatek she killed was an offering to Shaela Nuur to whom she felt such kinship over her doomed love.
Still, there was no time for sentiment. They found the fabled ceremonial blade of the Wookiee Bacca and with that they could work with Zaalbar and Chuundar's father, Freyyr, to try to take control back in the village peacefully.
No such luck.
But before that there was their actual target on the planet, the Star Map. The ex-Jedi (?) Jolee Bindo showed them the way to the weird computer that the map was hooked to but it refused to allow them access. (As it apparently had denied Jolee Bindo 152 times. At least he was patient, then. Or stubborn.)
The computer released battle droids for them to fight and Shin was impressed at how useful the old man was in a fight against them despite his crazy ramblings. So maybe he was a Jedi, after all...
After the fight something weird happened. The computer claimed to recognise Shin.
“What?” She and Carth looked at each other, then shrugged. Not the first weird thing they'd encountered during their quest, and if it meant they were able to access the map, even better.
They copied down the info, and realised they almost had a full map by now.
“Maybe one more, and we'll have it,” Shin concluded, going through the info.
- - -
They collected Freyyr and made their way back up to the village to confront Chuundar after convincing the old chieftain there was no need for violence, that they could solve this peacefully.
And they tried, really tried, to make the Zaalbar's brother to see reason, but to no use. The chieftain attacked, and it all ended in bloodshed. Again.
Shin was getting tired of fighting, tired of killing. Maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a hero. Or even a Jedi. Because no matter how much everyone repeated that they were diplomats and went on about the peaceful way of life it sure seemed like she ended up fighting her way out of situations more often than not.
They won. But the price of that victory was the life of many Wookiees that had only done what their chieftain told them to do.
- - -
That night there was a party in the village. They celebrated the end of slavery, and the beginning of a war. The Ebon Hawk’s crew were invited but were told that when they left no outsiders would be allowed on the planet for a long time.
Everyone welcomed the chance to relax, and Shin smiled when she saw Bastila laughing with Mission and some younger Wookiees, looking more her age than she ever had.
Still, Shin escaped the revelries early, and found a peaceful spot to sit down to look at the stars. She wasn't surprised or bothered when Carth found her a little while later.
“You mind?” he asked, gesturing towards the bench she was sitting on.
What could she say, never mind your company? She merely shook her head and smiled at him before resuming her stargazing.
“Are you okay?” he asked, after a while.
“Yes. I just… couldn't stomach celebrating the beginning of more bloodshed – even if it is a fight for freedom,” she explained.
“I know how you feel. I've seen more battle in my life than any man should. But if I ever get comfortable with it, I might as well shoot myself.”
They looked at the stars in silence until Shin broke it again.
“The universe is so beautiful. I sometimes forget, seeing all that darkness. And thinking about Malak, somewhere among those stars, hunting Bastila. And I wonder how long we'll have before he hears of Bandon’s demise and sends the next one after us…”
“Saul is out there, too,” Carth said quietly. “You know, I met Malak once, when he was still a Jedi,” he ´went on, conversationally.
“You never told me.” Shin turned to look at him.
“Didn't come up, I suppose. I was impressed by Malak. I guess that just shows how much dark side can change someone.”
“No one has told me why they turned. Do you know?”
“Nobody does. When they left after the Mandalorian wars ended, they were Jedi. When they returned… they were something else. And, well, had a seemingly endless supply of ships, and no one knew where that came from either.”
“And they seem to keep getting more while our forces dwindle,” Shin said slowly, thinking.
“And still... Malak hasn't won. He betrayed Revan, and I suppose one day his apprentice will try to defeat him. In the end, the dark side won't help him.”
“I've been… thinking about the dark side. After all, every Jedi I've met seems to feel they need to warn me about falling.”
“I, uh... used to think that it was a fancy name for something that I see every day. Corruption is everywhere. People are greedy and stupid and do horrible things. I'm starting to think it's different for the Jedi, however. That there's this evil, watching for its chance.”
Shin only looked at him.
“You have so much courage in you… yet, somehow, I have no trouble imagining it differently. Like the flip side of a coin. And it's not just you. It's Bastila, as well. She's so... intense. I don't pretend to know much about the Force... but I know evil. When you have so much power, the stakes are higher. I can only imagine the kind of conflict that goes on inside you.”
“I'm not falling to the dark side, Carth, and I won't.” In her own ears it sounded like a pledge made to him personally.
“No? Well, I hope so, but I know how people change. I remember how Malak looked and acted before his return… I bet the old Malak discounted the possibility that he would ever fall, as well. Neither you nor Bastila are fully trained on how to handle your power, yet. I'm just concerned at what might come.”
“That's so sweet. I didn't know you cared,” Shin teased to lighten the mood. Of course she knew he cared.
Still, unsurprisingly, it flustered Carth. “Well, that's not what I... I mean... I wouldn't want to see you hurt. Either of you. I suppose finding the Star Maps is more important than your training… and your safety. I just hope there isn't a price for you to pay.”
They sat for a while in silence, Shin not knowing what to say, or how to reassure him.
“Look, I don't want to be all doom and gloom, but I worry, okay?” Carth said.
“It just means you care,” Shin said, smiling.
“Yeah, I do. You have this incredible future ahead of you Shin, everyone can see it, from the old man in Taris to Jolee Bindo, whatever he claims his motives are... And... I suppose I just want to help you to get there in one piece. Heh, I suppose I found a reason to hang around even if we get Saul, huh?”
“Whatever it takes to keep you with us, Carth,” Shin said, grinning, to hide the fact he was actually touched by his words.
“Well, there are less worthy causes than protecting you, Shin. Whether that means protecting you from the Sith... or yourself, I don't know.”
“Why are you doing it, really, Carth?”
“Because... because I never got the chance to save my wife. Because I didn't stop Saul when I had the chance. Because I finally have the chance to do it right. You are an extraordinary woman... you make me think that maybe I might have some purpose beyond revenge.”
Did he mean that in a way she hoped he did? After all, if she made him think about his wife...
“Anyway, I don't know if it means anything to you... but it does to me.”
“It means a lot to me, Carth. Thank you.” Probably more than the man would ever understand.
“Carth... tell me about your wife.” She said suddenly, surprising even herself.
“Morgana? You don't think that would be... weird?”
“No. I’d like to know. Unless, of course, you would feel…”
“No, I… It’s just that… I’ve been thinking about her a lot, lately, ever since we saw Dustil and… At least trying to. But… I can’t remember her face. I try, and it just disappears. I remember the things she did, our last fight, even the way her hair smelled, but I just can’t…”
“Don’t you have a holo of her?”
“I lost my last one when Endar Spire was destroyed.”
“I’m so sorry, that must be… I can’t even imagine how hard. Knowing what you have lost… it’s easier for me, I suppose. I don’t remember what I’ve forgotten.”
“You think you… had someone?” Carth asked hesitantly.
“No!” she said fast, maybe too fast. Did she really think so or was that all for Carth’s benefit? But she didn’t feel like she had. Then again, what did she know.
“No, I… I would like to think I’d know somehow, feel the loss on some level, and I don’t. Anyway, what did Morgana do?”
“She was a writer. That allowed her to stay at home with Dustil when I was… gone. We were young when we married. I hated leaving her, and later our son but… It was my job. And then the war started… I had to go, to protect the galaxy for them. For every child and mother on every Republic planet. And… even though it meant I wasn’t there for them when they needed me… I can’t regret that decision. I won’t.”
Shin didn't know what to say, didn't know whether to offer sympathy or confirmation. Instead, she leaned slightly against him, rested her head on his shoulder, and let her gaze wander to the stars again.
- - -
Continued in Chapter 22.