Kat's Kotor retell Prologue

Coruscant:

The open tarmac stretched for miles, dotted with the shuttle craft that sat gleaming in the morning sun, waiting to take passengers up to the ships that lined up in the spaceport above the planet's surface. The spaceports of Coruscant, the hub planet of the Republic, were the largest in the galaxy. Not even the mighty ship yards of Corellia were so vast. Vessels of war and of diplomacy docked here, transporting visiting politicians, embassadors and high ranking military figures to the halls of power located in the huge city that gleamed in the distance off to the west.

Two such figures stood waiting beside a small military shuttle. One was a young woman, of a proud and regal bearing. Dark hair was tied up in an intricate pattern of braids that framed a face both lovely and aristocratic. The robes she wore, as well as the weapon hanging from a simple belt, told any onlookers that she was a member of the Jedi order. A quiet strength seemed to radiate from her slender form, yet there was also an untouchable air to her, one that easily deflected the straying gazes of any of the nearby soldiers standing guard who might glance her way with an appraising eye.

Beside her stood an older woman. Her once brown hair was graying considerably, and her shoulders seemed bent with more then just her age. The military uniform with its high rank proudly displayed was still crisp and sharp though, the outer appearance belying the visible weariness showing in the lines around the aging woman's eyes. She seemed to be anxious, glancing frequently off into the distance towards the spaceport offices as if expecting someone.

Finally the door to the offices slid open and a lone figure stepped out and headed towards the small group at the base of the shuttle. He was a tall man, and carried himself with an air of easy command. A small duffle bag was carried casually over one broad shoulder, and at first glance one might have mistaken him for a civillian in search of the right shuttle to a cruise vessle. He was dressed in civilian garb, except for the worn, faded orange jacket that appeared to be the left over (and badly abused) remnant of a fighter pilot. Even his sidearms were obviously not military issue, the dual holsters worn low on the hips, cut especially to facilitate a speeddraw.

As he approached the group however, the soldiers standing guard all snapped to attention and gave a smart salute. A salute he returned with the ease of the long time officer, giving a nod to the men as he walked past indicating they could return to what they were doing. A slight gust of wind ruffled the man's dark auburn hair as he came to a stop by the two women and dropped his duffle bag to the ground.

"Admiral Dodonna." he greeted the older woman with a salute such as the men had offered him. His voice was deep and somewhat melodius, pleasant to listen to. He turned his attention to the younger woman and gave her a polite bow."Jedi Bastila."

"Commander Onasi." the Jedi returned the greeting with the slightest bow of her noble head.

"Good to see you, Carth." the older woman reached up a hand to pat the man's shoulder affectionatley. "I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't make it."

The man pulled the sun visor glasses off, revealing hazel eyes that took on a look of affection such as one has for a long time friend. " I had some last minute business to attend to on Nar Shadaa, had to take the next shuttle off to rendevous with the Ecliptus."

The young Jedi woman frowned at his words, and seemed about to launch into a reprimand when the older woman cut her off.

"Ahh yes. Torim El Sha Ta. I had heard he was someone near there." Dodonna's eyes took on a look of concern. "Any trouble I should know about?"

"Nothing we didn't expect. The Sith are working through Gotta to run the slave trade operations and Karath is trading protection for his ships in exchange for a cut off the profits from the spice trade." Carth pulled out a data pad from his jacket pocket and handed it to the admiral."Here's the recording of everything he told me as well as some data on shipments he offered me."

"Offered you."Dodonna winced at his words."As in exchange for his life. Is this a recording I want to share with the Senate?'

Carth met her gaze squarely, unflinching. "Without a bit of editing, probably not."

"And the body?"

"It'll be found in a back alley." Onasi shrugged, a coldness slipping into his normally warm voice."Pieces of it, anyway."

"Admiral," the young jedi interrupted suddenly. "Surely you don't condone this man's actions, he's just admitted to..."

"Carth has admitted to nothing, Jedi Bastila." Dodonna turned a sharp gaze on the younger woman. "Commander Onasi is serving the Republic's interest in a capacity that has been approved of by the military council and the Senate. His results are unquestionable. We will leave it at that."

"With all due respect, Admiral." Bastila responded icily. "Commander Onasi is well known for his service to the Republic, but this is an obvious case of personal vendetta. I hardly think the Jedi council would.."

"The Jedi council does not control the Senate or the Military, despite what they sometimes appear to believe." Dodonna retorted. "Merely as the name states, as counselors. We are running this war on many fronts, as is prudent."

"Before you start defending that traitor's right to life after a fair trial, Bastila." Carth broke in. "You know how many members of the upper eschelon of the Jedi ranks he had assassinated under orders from Admiral Karath? Knight Savitan. Knight Eschetor. Counselor Ra Pralont. I could go on. The way I see it, I just did your Jedi council a favor."

"And what are you becoming Carth?' Bastila responded, looking at him reproachfully." If not an assasin yourself? You're letting you thirst for vengence.."

"I get results." he snapped back, his unshaven jaw tightening visibly." At least I'm doing something to stop these Sith from over-running the Republic."

"What would you have the Jedi do, Carth?" Bastila's voice lowered. "Run off unprepared into another war? You of all people should understand the danger in that."

That hit home, a look of cold fury came over the man's hazel eyes. Recognizing the danger signals, the admiral stepped between the two of them.

"This conversation ends here. We have a mission to get underway." She put a hand on Carth's arm as if to restrain him and turned to look over her shoulder at Bastila. "Besides, in war time we all make decisions that others might view as unethical."

The young jedi blanced visibly at her words, and looked away as if trying to maintain her cool unaffected appearence. "Very well. Let's get on with this."

"Excellent. Carth, as we discussed you will be onboard as advisor from the military and handling the running of the ship," Dodonna rubbed her hands together in a nervous gesture."The crew will report to you as usual protocol, although for all intents and purposes Bastila will be the actual commanding officer of the ship as per our agreement with the Jedi council. "

"That's highly irregular wouldn't you say, Admiral?" Carth fixed her with a questioning look. "Wanna explain why?"

"Let's just say that this is a Jedi mission that we've agreed to cooperate with them on." Dodonna smiled, as if trying to hide how much the words left a bad taste in her mouth. Carth had served under the woman long enough to know her distrust of the Jedi council. Especially after recent events. "A joint mission, as it were. Bastila will explain more to you when the time comes."

"In other words, it's information on a need to know basis." Carth grumbled, looking very displeased. "Why all the secrecy?"

"All will be made clear to you in time," Dodonna soothed, rather like an old mother instead of a commanding officer."I promise. I need you on this, Carth. But you'll have to trust me."

Trust you? Carth thought, grimacing at her choice of words. She knew him well enough to know what his response to that would be, she knew him better then anyone who was still alive. Still, Dodonna had never led him wrong. And she always gave him free reign. He owed her something. But trust? That was a tall order for Commander Carth Onasi.

He gave a sigh, consigning himself to the invevitable. "Ships manifest?"

Dodonna handed him the data pad with a smile of triumph, then patted his arm. "Good lad. I knew I could always count on you."

"You owe me Admiral." he gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm closer now then ever before. This had better be important."

"Believe me," Dodonna looked grave."It is."

Carth grunted, then went back to skimming over the manifests as he bent down to retrieve his duffle bag off the ground in preparation to board the shuttle. The two women began talking about last minute communication arrangements as they walked forward. Reaching the bottom of the manifest, Carth's brow furrowed as he read the last two paragraphs.

"What's with all the last minute additions to the crew?" Carth called out to the women ahead. "We don't need all these extra people."

The two women's eyes met before Dodonna glanced back at Carth. "Those are Bastilla's retinue. They've all had the standard security clearences ran."

"Not the point. The Spire's not a big ship, Admiral." Carth scratched his head, looking troubled." We'll have to double bunk some of the crew and work them seperate shifts. Not to mention we are going out onto the Outer Rim. More chances of running into Sith War vessels."

"And?" Bastila looked annoyed.

"And? Half the people you have listed here are civillian recruits." Carth glanced down the list."Ban Tobias, orinthropologist. A scientist? Sarrin Kasra, scout. What the hell do we need a scout for? Raapor Hertay is already assigned to the Spire and he not only served as a scout during the Mandalorian Wars, but he's actually had combat experience. Tria Ben, what is she? A cook?"

"These are all personnel specifically requested by the Jedi council." Bastila's lips pressed into a thin line. "And therefore, not negotiable."

"You're taking untrained, untested civillians on a top secret mission out into the Outer Rim, and potentially a heavy combat zone?" Carth argued, looking between the two women as if they were crazy."What happens if we're attacked? My men can't waste time in the middle of a battle baby sitting a bunch of hand picked civillians the council wants to bog us down with!"

"Not negotiable, commander." Bastila grated out, then turned and headed up the ramp to the shuttle.

Dodonna sighed, then walked up to Carth and took him by the arm. "I know, Carth. I understand your feelings on this. But we've taken every precaution, and these people understand the risks they are taking."

"I don't want their blood on my hands, Dodonna." Carth sighed, eyes closing. " I have enough as it is."

"I know you do son." She smiled fondly at him, patting his arm again. "Don't worry. It will all turn out for the best. Trust me."

She turned and walked away, waving briefly over her shoulder at him as he stood at the base of the ramp. The shuttle engines began to whine to life, preparing for departure.

Trust me, she had said. Gods, he was beginning to hate hearing those words.