Revan's Shadow: Chapter Thirteen - Kashyyyk

Obtena entered the crowded cockpit and took position leaning against the two-sided console that separated the pilot and co-pilot areas. Mission was gripping the back of Carth's chair as she stared out the window at the green planet ahead. Obtena could imagine what it was like for a city girl like her to see an arboreal planet for the first time. Zaalbar stood further back behind Bastila, obviously less enthusiastic, but his attention was focused on the same thing.

Bastila didn't need to glance back to see who had arrived. "The Force is helping us retrace the steps of Malak and his old master, leading us closer to the Starforge." She was referring to the vision they had shared before waking.

"It probably helped Revan find it the first time around, too," Carth muttered.

Bastila ignored him. "Kashyyyk is a lush, but simple and undeveloped world... by Republic standards. I would not have expected to find a starmap here."

"In the vision, it looked like the starmap was at ground level," Obtena said, glancing at the Wookiee.

"My people make their home high among the wroshyr branches," Zaalbar informed them. "Only the bravest warriors dare to descend into the shadowlands."

"If the starmap is located on the planet's surface, as our vision seems to suggest, it is unlikely the Wookiees even know of its existence," Bastila reasoned.

"So not even they can help us find it."

Obtena was about to berate Carth for commenting on the negative aspects, but Mission did it for her by flicking at the pair of strands that hung over his forehead, causing him to duck and run a hand through his hair. As usual, the strands flopped forward a few seconds later. "We got lucky on Tatooine," she said with a smirk. "This time we're not looking for a rocky hole in a sandbox. The starmap could be on the other side of wherever we land, for all we know."

"Speaking of which, I'm getting a transmission," Carth spoke up. "It's an automated landing beacon. Shall I take her in?"

"May as well."

Bastila tried to reassure them. "There is no reason to feel discouraged. The Force-"

"Yes, yes," Obtena interrupted, "It's all bound to work out. It's no coincidence that each step led us to our main objective on Tatooine, any more than it was a coincidence that two of our crew bumped into family on an outer rim wasteland of a planet."

"I had wondered about that..." Mission mumbled, suddenly subdued.

"Don't worry, Mission. By the time this quest is over, everyone will have resolved their issues. Juhani will have found true peace, Canderous will be a happy, friendly guy..."

"Big Z will buy a brush, HK will be reprogrammed as a pacifist, T3 will get a protocol vocabulator..." Mission continued with a laugh.

"Carth will trust people he's only just met, and Bastila will just be One Of The Girls," Obtena finished.

Both Bastila and Carth refused to comment as the pair snickered. Silence had fallen before Zaalbar grumpily growled that he would not be buying a brush.

*

Ten minutes later, Mission was the first to step off the loading ramp. She jumped up and down on the wooden landing platform a few times, admiring how solid it felt. "This might as well be durasteel!" she exclaimed in surprise before turning her attention upward. The trees were the biggest she had ever seen, and there were so many it was practically impossible to see far between them. She jogged over to the railing and looked down. The tree trunks stretched on into the darkness below, but as the noise of the Ebon Hawk's engines died down, she could here the voices of wildlife echoing from far beneath.

"Czerka," Juhani whispered, directing Obtena's attention to the few figures working around the platform. They were indeed wearing Czerka uniforms; a glance back at Zaalbar confirmed that these were the slavers he had spoken of. Only one of them seemed interested in their arrival, an Ithorian approaching them with a databad clutched in one hand.

"Greetings to you... while I am pleased to welcome you to planet G5-623, I do not see your ship on my docking schedule. The Czerka Corporation will see to your needs, of course, but there will be a 100 credit docking fee. In advance, I fear."

If Czerka could tax the spacelanes, it would, Obtena thought. "Let me guess, you need the fee to keep this place running."

"Yes, that's right."

"I paid on Tatooine because I like the idea of Czerka wasting more of their time and resources on that dustball. I see no reason why I would want to prolong your presence on Kashyyyk."

"That is what the dominant indigenous species calls this world, but maintaining this outpost grants Czerka Corporation naming rights in the trade guides. Besides, it is not a word I can speak. I'm sorry, I really must insist that docking fees be paid before I impart any further services. I must follow proper procedure."

Obtena fixed the wideset eyes in an uncompromising stare and spoke, "I don't think I need to pay the docking fee."

"Perhaps you don't need to pay the docking fee," the Ithorian repeated. "Any services you need will more than make up for it. Please follow me to our information center. I will answer any questions there."

Leaving the droids in the ship, they fell into step behind the hobbling Ithorian. Bastila drew close to Obtena as they walked. "The Force should not be used for profit and personal gain," she whispered disapprovingly. "As Jedi we should be above such things."

"It's not about us making a profit," Obtena explained, "It's about them not making one. A hundred credits may hardly make a dent compared to their slavery profits, but it's a start. Consider it a question of principle, if you like."

"The situation with Czerka and the Wookiees is not why we are here."

"Zaalbar's presence tells me otherwise."

"That is a matter of interpretation. He may only be here to help us in the Shadowlands. You must guard against your own arrogance, Obtena; your lackadaisical attitude to the Jedi teachings practically assures that you are not right about everything."

"Bastila-" Obtena began, than bit back the retort and spoke more evenly. "I don't think the Jedi masters are infallible. Why would I think I am? Do you think they are? Do you think you are?"

Bastila blanched, and continued in a less accusing tone. "That is the image you project... whether you do it consciously or not. I suppose it is part of being a leader..." she hesitated.

"What?" Obtena asked, the rancour gone from her hushed voice.

"I thought I had learned from Revan... during the Mandalorian war, the news was always positive. Ever since Jedi Revan took command of the fleet, everything was going the Republic's way. I... as the war came to an end, even I wondered if the Jedi council had been mistaken to forbid her from helping." She sighed. "When she returned to us as the dark lord of the Sith, it justified their concerns from the start. I had always thought Revan's position of power during the war was what had led her to the dark side of the Force.

"I was in charge of my previous mission. While I was behaving superior, I was constantly second-guessing myself. Was this the right thing to do, should I do that instead... I sense no such doubts from you, and I fear that you are following Revan's path."

"I'm not trying to be a leader, Bastila. I'm just... me. The fact that people are willing to follow me is coincidental." Obtena glanced at the structure that passed for the information center before a thought occurred, and she looked back to Bastila. She was surprised to see the padawan still looking directly at her, though she immediately averted her gaze. "Were you surprised that the masters put me in charge?"

"I... don't recall them ever saying you were," Bastila muttered, blushing slightly.

"By their behaviour, sweetie." Another brief flash of her blue eyes. Obtena grinned as Bastila's face coloured a little further. "I understand that you've got your little side mission to keep an eye on me. I expected them to come out and say you were in charge, and I was surprised that they were talking to me all the time about... well, everything. I suppose with hindsight they thought it was best if we sorted it out ourselves."

"...Do you think I am incapable of leading?"

"No, I just think that being whatever kind of person I am gives me an unfair advantage." Obtena smirked and made a show of adjusting her hair. "Much like all the other pre-Jedi things that saves our lives and proves me right time and time again..."

"Hm." Bastila was refusing to rise to the bait, but Obtena felt her point had been made.

Entering the building, the Ithorian walked through the first section and into the second, which appeared to be his office. Obtena paused in the first section, in which other Czerka personnel were busy doing whatever they were doing. She peeked around the shoulder of one of them, who seemed to appreciate her interest. "Welcome to Edean," he offered with a smile. "I trust you will find our facilities pass inspection. Czerka Corporation is very efficient."

"You have nothing to be proud of, fool," Zaalbar growled.

"I don't understand Wookieespeak. Shyriiwook, I think it's called? What did he say?"

Mission blinked. "You work on Kashyyyk and don't understand the language?"

"Czerka calls it Edean, and no I don't. I just work here in the lab."

"He said you have nothing to be proud of," Obtena told the scientist.

"And called you a fool," Mission seemed insistant to add.

"I... I don't have anything to do with the taking of slaves."

"What is it you do here?" Obtena asked. "Are you a botanist?"

"Pharmacologist. I'm conducting experiments on various samples of indigenous plant life. There may be untapped pharmaceutical resources here." The scientist sighed. "Of course, that will take time, and the Wookiees are a more immediate source of income. The drawback of a corporate commission... please, I must return to my work."

"You don't seem to like what Czerka does here. Haven't you tried to do anything about it?"

"I'm just an employee. Janos is the one to talk to." He nodded his head sideways at the office, but his attention was already back on the vials of samples and chemicals at his workstation.

"How convenient," Mission muttered angrily, "All the benefits, none of the guilt."

"Leave him, Mission," Obtena advised. "A man who ignores something like enslavement by choice will wish he'd paid more attention when someone rips his legs off and uses them to beat him to death." The scientist started at that, and eyed Zaalbar warily as the group passed him by.

The Ithorian, Janos, was standing before his desk. "Greetings again. How can Czerka Corporation serve you during your visit to Edean?"

"Tell me about the planet. You called it G5 something-or-other, before?"

"G5-623 is the numerical designation. The galactic Basic name is 'Edean,' chosen by corporate ballot among stockholders. As well as the dominant species, the great trees harbour an endless array of dangerous creatures below. We've detected odd energy signatures on occasion, but exploration is costly amongst creatures even more difficult than Wookiees."

"Odd energy signatures?" Carth piped up. "Have you ever checked those out?"

"We send expeditions, of course; but they come back with little, if they come back at all." Janos turned back to Obtena. "I am surprised you are not already acquainted with this world, given your choice of traveling companion."

"I have been away for a very long time," Zaalbar wuffed mutely. Obtena glanced back at him, surprised. When he did choose to speak, he never sounded so submissive. She followed his gaze to the corner of the room...

"You let the beast speak for you? You allow it more liberties than most of our customers..." Janos trailed off as he watched the rest of the group notice the cage and its occupant. It was two feet high and barely long enough to contain the Wookiee lying within. As both Juhani and Mission gasped at the sight, Obtena stepped forward and knelt down, putting a hand through the cage and checking for a pulse.

"Drugged," Obtena diagnosed. "Drugged almost to death." She stood and faced the Ithorian. "I can't allow this to continue."

"It's not up to you, Janos replied. "This planet is not a member of the Republic, and its backward citizens hold no rights. I'm sorry if you are offended, but this operation is very humane. Even the Wookiee leadership knows it is more beneficial to work with us."

"Slavery under any guise should not be tolerated!" Juhani declared vehemently. Beside her, Canderous levelled his heavy repeater, pointing it squarely at the Ithorian's face.

"Maybe you should start talking, or I might decide to get a little... restless," the Mandalorian grated.

"If you did do something drastic here, the corporation has other outposts on Edean. It would change nothing."

"It would change one thing," Obtena corrected him in a dark voice. "You would be dead." A cold pressure filled the room, and Janos staggered back against his desk as his neck abruptly crunched. Dark blood began to drip from the 'mouth' on the left side of his head.

"Obtena!" Bastila cried.

"I only crushed one," Obtena replied, approaching Janos slowly. "He's Ithorian. Three throats to go." Another step. "Ithorians are supposed to be nature-lovers." Another step. "The enslavement of a sentient species, stripping the planet of any life Czerka deems profitable..." Another step, and she was face to face with Janos. "You should be ashamed of yourself," she growled.

"I am merely a servant of the corporation! The Wookiee leadership is in agreement! Harvesting is made as delicate as possible!" He gasped as the pressure focused again and another throat began to crack. "Please! It is not my... decision! It is... an acceptable... practice, I assure you!"

"Obtena, that's enough!" Bastila insisted, stepping forward and taking her arm. When the physical contact seemed to go unnoticed, Bastila tried to reach her through their bond. It was a last resort as far as she was concerned; she was no longer worried about being 'infected' by the dark side of the Force that resided in Revan's soul, but she had a whole new reason to fear the connection which could bring about the same result. She tried to keep such thoughts away from her conscious mind as she bridged the mental gap between them, but the emotional presence was impossible to mask. When Obtena felt it...

She had been enjoying Janos' fear, something born from decayed morality and shattered arrogance. Showing him that hiding behind the corporation's skirts didn't matter to her was a pleasure. The sudden and intense awareness of Bastila's fear, knowing she herself was the cause, broke her concentration completely. As the Ithorian slumped to the floor, gasping for breath, she looked back at her fellow padawan and knew she did not have to voice her regret. She clasped the hand on her arm a moment.

"Well," Canderous spoke gruffly to Janos, "Since you seem to have been allowed to live, why don't you tell us what you meant when you mentioned the Wookiee leadership?"

"We... we supply arms in exchange for a supply of healthy Wookiees. We are kept profitable and an agreeable leader is kept in power. It keeps the process from becoming a constant firefight."

"What is this leader's name?"

"Chuundar," Janos gasped. Zaalbar shuddered at the sound of the name.

Obtena walked out without another word. Canderous aside, the others followed and watched as Obtena headed straight to the nearest railing, leaned over and threw up.

Carth was at her side in a flash. "You okay, beautiful?" Pale, Obtena looked up at him and smiled half-heartedly.

"I must be. If I had any vomit on my chin I doubt you'd call me that."

"You got pretty intense in there."

"I got pretty dark in there. I think..." she paused, then motioned Carth to help her back to the others. "I think I had better go back to the ship, drink some water, maybe eat something bland. Zaalbar, will you come with me?" The Wookiee nodded silently. "I'd like the rest of you to sniff around, see what else you can dig up before we go beyond those gates over there. That means you, Mission."

"Geez, I know. I wouldn't want to leave this place without Big Z anyway. I'll sneak around and eavesdrop, that's all."

"I think I should come with you as well," Bastila told Obtena. "There's probably a thing or two both of us should say to each other out loud."

"I can't argue with that."

Juhani paused. "What about the caged Wookiee back there?"

"I don't know much about drugs or poisons," Obtena admitted, "And I doubt moving him would be a good idea. He's safe enough until that stuff works through his system."

"Or it'll kill him," Canderous added as he joined them outside. "Either way, he's better off where he is and without us interfering, for now."

"What were you doing in there, anyway?" Carth asked him.

Canderous grinned maliciously. "Making sure the Ithorian wouldn't get any retaliatory ideas."

"...You killed him."

"Didn't touch a hair on his chin, I swear. I can be pretty persuasive, in my own large, intimidating way. Who knows, he may even quit Czerka and go rethink his life."

The group split up. Obtena leaned on Bastila for support as they walked. "Persuasive..." she mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I could have been persuasive. Instead..."

"You hurt him. He's hurting the Wookiees, you wanted to hurt him back."

"You were more scared of me than he was."

"...In that moment, yes."

"If I had killed him, would you have killed me?"

"I... don't know. Perhaps, if you had showed no remorse..."

"So as long as I feel bad about killing people, you're happy. I might have regretted it, but that wasen't what made me sick. It was scaring you."

Bastila couldn't respond. During that moment, if Obtena had decided to start killing every slaver they came across... she wasn't certain she would have resisted.