Chapter 11: Shipboard

Life on board a starship is tremendously boring if you're not one of the crew. There isn't much to do, particularly in the tiny cabins. I spent a lot of time in the exercise facilities, which are usually pretty good on Republic cruisers. This one was full of soldiers most of the time, and I could always find somebody willing to practice dueling. We practiced with dummy blades, not the real things, of course, but they could still sting like crazy if they got through.

I spent more free time in the research facilities. Access to information is available in the cabins as well, but I like the atmosphere of places dedicated to preserving communal knowledge. HK-47 followed me everywhere like a coppery shadow. There are no secrets on a starship, so there was no need to introduce myself. Most of the crew were nice the first day, but turned colder as time went on. My reputation got around quickly, as usual. I ran into young Ensign Jenkins on day two. He'd been cheery, open, and friendly when he led me to Carth's office. Now he practically turned and ran when I said hello. Such is the social life of a former Dark Lord. I wouldn't miss it.

I was called to a meeting with Carth on the afternoon of day two. You don't ignore the summons of a starship captain, no matter what your personal feelings. HK-47 and I were on time. The blond holo still floated above his desk. I still hated her, though I was trying hard to be happy that he had moved on. Carth was all business.

'The Ebon Hawk is repaired and ready to fly,' he said.

'That was quick. Thank you, Carth.'

'Oh, it isn't free, believe me. All charges for military repairs to civilian vessels are referred to the owner. And deep space repairs are expensive. You have quite a bill. It's on your datapad now.'

I checked it out. I've rarely seen a monetary figure with that many digits. 'Wow,' was all I could manage to croak. 'I was on official Kashyyyki business, you know.'

'Then you can try turning in the expenses to the Kashyyyki. Remember, they aren't part of the Republic. And last I knew, they aren't a wealthy people. This probably exceeds reasonable and customary expense compensation.' He looked mighty smug. I had the feeling there was more here than met the eye. I silently thanked Mission for teaching me the new card game. I needed my Feza face now.

'I can cover the bill,' I said carefully, omitting the fact that I'd have to sell the Ebon Hawk to do it, 'but I'm always interested in deferring cost, if possible. Do you know of any way to do that?' Carth smiled. It was a victory smile, nothing more. He led the way to the conference table and activated a large holo unit. Some sort of building schematic floated there. It looked more industrial than military.

'Right after we picked you up, Fi, we received some information from an informer within the Sith. This is a geothermal power generating station on Agamar, one of the Sith-held planets. It supplies their main military base there, and some of the planetary shield generators. The planet itself is heavily fortified. If we can get a small strike team in to disable this station, we can drop the shields and command center for their planetary defense. Then we have a shot at reclaiming this planet. A fleet can be standing by ready to jump into their space. But we can't have any large ships nearby when we go in to disable the facility, or it'll trigger their defenses.'

'That's where you and the Hawk could be useful. Even if we're spotted in her, we'll be assumed to be a legit freighter, or a common smuggler at worst. We can sneak in, drop right onto the station's tiny landing platform, blow the whole works, and be out before they know it. Then the fleet jumps into orbit and we start the battle with an enormous advantage.'

'That sounds way too easy. How reliable is this informant?' I was still trying to recover from hearing him call me 'Fi.' Dammit, how could he do this to me with a single word?

'Very. We get little information from her, but when we do, it's good. High Command is looking seriously at this one. It could be a major gain for us.'

I dropped into one of the conference chairs. 'OK, let's get down to nuts and bolts. Say you use my ship. How much of my bill gets deferred?'

He settled into the chair across from me, steepled his fingers. 'It isn't just the Hawk we want. We'd like you to join the team for this mission, as well. We don't have any Jedi on board right now, and you're a heck of a fighter if it comes to that. We'd rather it not come to a battle, and you can help there, too. We need you and the Hawk both on this one, Fiala. What do you say?'

'I'm not certain it will work. I think the Sith were lying in wait for me, Carth. That means they know my ship and her markings, and have probably been tracking her. The frigate got away, so they know I'm here on board the Myrkr Anlace.'

'Well, uh, I've made a few accommodations for that.' He glanced at me, looking a tad guilty. I pinned him down with a glare. 'You haven't actually been down to see the Hawk today, have you?' I shook my head. 'She has a nice, new paint job. Completely different from before. New registration number. New name. A few minor modifications to change her silhouette. Nothing major. Looks pretty sharp, like a real smuggler's ship.'

'She IS a real smuggler's ship. You were confident I'd go along with this, weren't you? But what about my known position? They'll be watching for the Hawk in the same vicinity as your ship.'

He nodded, leaned forward with his elbows on the table, intense. 'We figured out a way around that, too. If we drop the Hawk out of this ship while we're in hyperspace, the Hawk can continue through hyperspace to the target, then drop to realspace on her own. They'll see the Anlace enter and leave hyperspace without ever knowing that the Hawk left.'

I leaned back in my chair, surprised. 'What? I've never heard of that before. There's no way I could calculate a hyperspace route from within hyperspace. I'm a fair pilot, but that's way beyond me. Has anybody actually accomplished this before?'

'It's something the military has been playing with. It does take a really great pilot, one with specialized training.' He was looking smug again.

I was floored. 'You're going to pilot the Hawk through this? You, the captain of a capital ship?'

'Yep, if you agree to this whole deal. It's tricky, but we'll probably live through it.' He leaned forward again. "And yes, it's that important. That's why I'll be involved."

I considered for a moment or two. 'Well, as long as your neck is on the line along with mine. But there's just one thing...'

'What?'

I waved the datapad showing the repair bill.

'Oh, yeah, I forgot." He laced his fingers together. "OK, here's the deal. This bill will be torn up, and the military will provide repairs for any damages resulting from the mission. Fair enough?'

One last adventure with Carth sounded wonderful, and frack the Jedi Council. I'd be out of their hair soon enough. 'You've got yourself a deal, Captain Onasi. You know HK-47 goes in the package as well, right? He goes where I go.'

Carth looked uneasy, rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. 'Uh, he's another thing we need to discuss. Some of the crew have complained to me about him. His presence bothers them. It's pretty obvious that he isn't a normal droid. Can't you stash him during the day or something?"

'Objection: Master, I cannot protect you if I am stowed.'

"They've complained about him? He's my bodyguard. Besides, he's very independent. I doubt he'd listen to me if I tried to stow him. I'd have to figure out a way to keep him busy.'

'Bodyguard? You don't need one on this ship, that's for sure. Besides, you can take care of yourself pretty well, if I remember correctly. Just stop him from following you around all day. He's undermining the morale of my crew.' He gave me a stern look, reminding me why he was a Republic starship captain. He had far bigger issues to handle than my happiness.

My temper has never been my best feature. 'But he... he's never bothered.... fine, Carth, fine. Tell you what - you take him, figure out how to keep him occupied. HK-47! Carth is now your master. Obey him as you do me." I didn't need the hassle of figuring out what to do with HK-47 all the time. Let the guy who was complaining do it.

'But...' Carth was backpedaling, I could tell. I tried not to smile.

"Query: Master, are you selling me? I did not witness any exchange of goods or services which would effect a legal transfer of ownership."

"No, I'm not selling you. I'm making Carth my partner in your ownership. You are to obey him as you would me. Do you understand?"

"Compliance: Yes, masters. I will be a good little droid."

"Excellent. I want you on guard outside my sleeping quarters every night; otherwise, you are to remain with Carth and obey him. Call me when you're ready for mission planning, Captain." I chuckled, having just dumped a problem. I rose and headed for the door.

I looked back as I left, hoping to see Carth perplexed. Instead, he was looking at HK-47 rather oddly, speculatively. I didn't like that look but couldn't see any harm in leaving H with him. Carth was hardly likely to invoke the assassination protocols. I felt a bit uneasy, but dismissed it as rampant paranoia. It's not like it mattered anymore.

The deal with HK-47 seemed to work well. He was in my outer room every night. I don't know what Carth did with him during the day and didn't care. I continued my usual routine of research and exercise. It was actually kind of nice not having a droid following me constantly, and some of the crew seemed more friendly. Maybe Carth was right. Maybe the droid had accounted for some of the hostility. I had another thought, as well. HK-47's programming would now make Carth his sole master at my...death. I figured out a way to leave something more for Carth than just a ship and a droid, and spent most of one sleepless night setting it up.

I was working out in the training facility with a young soldier on our third day out. She wasn't very good, so I loafed through standard blade exercises that challenged her. She was trying hard, though, so I taught her what new moves I thought she could handle, tried to help her improve. I found myself doing more teaching than practicing in these sessions. Perhaps I wanted to leave some sort of legacy, I don't really know.

We were standing side-by-side so I could demonstrate a grip correction when I heard a whoosh in the air behind us. I shoved my workout partner to the ground and ducked -- a little too late. I caught a nice slice from a real vibroblade right across the shoulder blades. A man started screaming after he hit me, something about my having killed his family, the usual stuff. I rolled forward, leaving bloody splotches on the training floor, and hit my attacker with a Stasis as he came at me for the next stroke. He froze.

My workout partner looked up from the floor with big eyes. Other soldiers were charging our way. I wasn't sure of their intent, so I threw a Stasis on everyone except my partner. I helped her up.

"Look, I've just frozen them. They'll be OK. I'm going to stun this guy who attacked me. He's got big problems. You need to disarm him right away and get him psych help, do you understand?" She nodded and climbed to her feet.

I Stunned the attacker and we lowered him to the floor. He was just a kid, no more than eighteen, nineteen. I wonder what Revan had done to him. The blood was trickling down my back and soaking my shirt. I headed to my cabin to clean up.

I lose more shirts this way.

It wasn't long before I was called to Carth's office. I didn't see HK-47 there. Carth looked grim as I entered.

"I understand you were attacked in the training room. Are you OK?"

I shrugged, winced.

"Do you intend to press charges?"

"No, he's just a kid. He needs help. I'm not sure he's fit for the service, but the brig won't do him any good."

"That's good of you. He's been a decent recruit until now. Where did he hit you?"

"My back."

"You didn't report to sick bay. Let me see it." I gaped at him, startled. "You heard me. Turn around and pull up your shirt."

I obeyed slowly, uncomfortable. I had eschewed a Jedi robe for trousers and a light shirt to avoid weight on my shoulders. I wore a soft undershirt because I couldn't bandage the wound myself and didn't want it bleeding through. The undershirt stuck to the clotting blood.

"Hold still." Carth gently peeled the undershirt from the wound, sighed. "You didn't heal this, did you?"

I shook my head. "No. I never do."

"What? Why not?"

"I don't know. Maybe I deserve them."

Carth ran a thumb gently above the cut for its entire length. I caught my breath, tried to hide it. Nobody had touched me for a long time. "Look, I need you healthy day after next for our raid. This won't heal on its own by then. Heal it, or go get it treated. That's an order." I started to pull my shirts down but he held on to them. He slowly drew more lines on my back, tracing the scars there. His touch was gentle, caressing. I closed my eyes, swaying slightly. Damn it, he made me want to live.

"You have a lot of scars on your back, Fiala."

"That's the preferred spot of assassins. They aren't very brave." My voice shook a little. Maybe he didn't notice.

He was silent for a moment. He didn't stop tracing. There was plenty there to trace. I was getting goosebumps.

"How often does this happen?"

I snorted. "Every ship, Carth, if I'm there for any length of time. Every planet. Sometimes more than once. Word about me gets around, then somebody is out for revenge, or Sith bounty money."

"It shouldn't have happened on this ship, my ship. I'm sorry." He bumped the new cut and I flinched. He settled the undershirt gently across the cut, let my shirt down. I faced him.

"Now you see why I keep HK-47 with me everywhere, and why I need a double room. H is my buffer. He buys me time to react while I'm asleep." He nodded, looking thoughtful and a little sad.

'Is medical treatment going to be added to my bill, Captain?'

He didn't laugh. 'No, it wasn't your fault. We'll cover it. We plan our raid tomorrow. Be here at 0800.'

'Will do, see you tomorrow.' He looked sad, odd. I hesitated, still shaken by his touch. I wanted to ask if he was alright, but we weren't on those terms anymore. I headed off to get my wound cleaned and bonded before Healing it. Perhaps it wouldn't scar so badly that way. I was becoming obsessive about leaving the host in good repair for the next parasite.