In hyperspace, the legendary freighter, the Ebony Hawk, the ship of the redeemed Jedi Knight Revan, was heading to its destination; inside it, Atton, Kreia, and Meetra were going to discuss the situation.
- Well. Now that we've just destroyed a planet or rather a planetoid, can someone tell me what's going on here? Partly, the holograms I saw with Surik in the Herald clarified some things for me, but I wonder if the elder has anything to say that could provide further clarification. Rand asked her fellow companions if they could clarify her doubts.
- Because between the assassin droids, a Sith lord who looks like a walking corpse, and being the target practice for a Republic warship stolen by the same dark lord, I prefer my cell. The flirtatious boy concluded, arms crossed in anger, listing all the risks he faced today along with the other two.
- Well, to recap, the Republic ship was the Herald. It was captured by the Sith on the way to Telos. They were looking for you, Meetra. The woman with white hair stated what she could see in the holograms alongside Surik.
- As they said in the recordings, the Herald was heading to Telos, but what was the reason? The brown-haired girl hesitated, thinking about the reason why they were heading there specifically with her.
- Yes, to collaborate in the restoration. Many paths lead to Telos, including ours. Kreia assumed her apprentice, the reason why that ship was heading there.
- As if there were a choice. With the star charts of Peragus. Atton expressed himself for not having any other options where to go on his journey.
- It's where we must go and where the Herald was heading before our unfortunate encounter at the mining station. The old woman simplified to her companions, ready to go to that destination which, according to their predictions, was for Surik.
"Would you mind explaining to me how you found me aboard that Republic frigate?" Demanded the ex-Jedi, wanting to know exactly how he had found her.
- It was very difficult for me to find you, but chance was on my side. When I found out you were on the ship, I imagined the Sith were lurking nearby. When I intercepted the Herald, it was in ruins, drifting aimlessly. It was easy to board the ship and rescue you. However, I was unaware that the Sith were already on board. Just as we jumped to hyperspace, they shot at us and almost destroyed the Ebony Falcon. She explained how, by sheer luck, she managed to find Meetra and the events that followed.
"I suppose I don't remember anything, and the reason is what the assassin droid HK-50 disguised as a protocol droid said, I was sedated with a juice I drank." I reason, Surik recalling what the automaton that eliminated everyone at the mining station said.
- I suppose that left you unconscious. Although your thoughts were weak, I was able to find you sealed in one of the cargo holds. The old woman explained where she found Meetra when she was searching for her.
- But how did the Falcon get to Peragus exactly? The ex-Jedi questioned herself with that mystery in her mind.
- I don't know that, how did our ship manage to reach the mining station? She wondered to herself how exactly that happened.
- Beep-boop! Biiii-uooop! He interrupted the utility droid, saying that he knew how it was possible for them to get to Peragus.
- Silence! We are having a conversation. He demanded the white-haired droid not to interrupt him.
- Biriiiiduooo, bi-di-diit. Diit. The mechanical being argued, saying that he was the one who managed to repair and put the freighter in order so that it could go to the station.
- He says he repaired the ship and took us to Peragus. Explained Meetra, translating what the robot wanted to express.
- He fixed the ship! And now he will want to take all the credit for saving our skins. Rand complained, suspecting the automaton's intentions.
- If that pile of junk, I fixed the ship once, let him try to do it again. The brown-haired boy demanded that T3-M4 prove his worth.
- Duooooo. The droid complained a bit, seeing the demand of his master's companion.
- And why are those Siths looking for me? The brown-haired girl hesitated, worried about the dangerous situation she was in.
- Because you are the last of the Jedi. When you fall, they will have won. The old woman concluded the reason why they want to eliminate her.
"But I was expelled from the Jedi Order or something, I remember." Claimed the Ex-Jedi, implying that in the gaps of her memory, she could fleetingly remember that she was no longer part of that order.
- Expelled or not, the Sith believe you are a Jedi lady or that you carry their teachings within you, and that is what matters. Concluded the one with white hair, implying that Surik was perhaps the fleeting hope of being able to restore the almost extinct order.
- What do you mean I'm the last Jedi? It can't be possible, the civil war must have killed many, but not all. The ex-Jedi assured, thinking that several Jedi must have survived after the conflict.
- Unfortunately, that conflict eliminated the vast majority, barely leaving a hundred knights. Many fell in battle and, like others, were seduced by Revan's teachings. Kreia informed them about the unfortunate situation they were in now.
- As far as I remember, there should be some in Dantooine and those from Coruscant, right? The girl with brown hair doubted, thinking that some of them might still be there.
- The Jedi Academy on Dantooine was destroyed by Darth Malak and is now nothing more than a crater that resonates with the ghosts of dead masters. And the Jedi Temple on Coruscant is empty. The waters of the Hall of a Thousand Fountains are still, in honor of the fallen Jedi... and now the lost. Many Jedi blamed the teachings of the Jedi Masters for Revan's fall and the civil war that ensued. The elder revealed the terrible reality in which they now lived.
- If there are survivors, we have to notify them. I reason, Meetra, wanting to seek the help and support of the few Jedi who are still alive.
- Maybe, but they are no longer Jedi. Even tho the Sith haven't eliminated them, they won't help you, nor will you be able to help them. I explain to the white-haired woman about the impossibility of making the surviving ex-Jedis or possible remaining Jedi cooperate.
- So how do we stop the Sith? Asked the ex-Jedi, seeing that her master was not giving her any option to fight.
- That... It's not an easy question to answer. This threat is greater than you think, and I don't believe it's a battle that can be fought. The old woman questioned, implying that they could not overcome this struggle.
- And what do you think we should do? Surik asked, not knowing what to do in this situation and wanting to know what option he could offer.
"Hey, stop talking in the plural." Rand complained, wanting to be left out of this matter.
- We can't expect to triumph against them alone. To stop them, you will need weapons, allies, and a teacher. Although I fear it won't be enough. I reason Kreia arguing that they needed the means to fight against the Sith.
- What do you mean? Asked the girl with brown hair, about the possibility that they might not succeed in the end.
- You fought in the Mandalorian Wars and lost everything. Are you willing to sacrifice so many things again? Kreia questioned, wanting to know if she was willing to take the risk this time.
- I decided to fight in the Mandalorian Wars, I will do the same now, even if I lose everything again. Surik declared determinedly, regardless of the outcome of her struggle.
- You're not paying attention to me. This is a battlefield unknown to you. Consider your choice carefully. If you choose to fight, if you choose war, you must know that it is a path few leave once taken. It carries a terrible price. And in the end, you might find that you have nothing left to sacrifice. The old woman questioned what Meetra was about to do and what consequences or risks that would bring.
- I have nothing left to lose, I don't even have my memory intact, what could happen? The former Jedi declared, determined to do what she wanted now.
- Like so many other Jedi, you hear but do not listen. You have much to learn. But we've already talked enough, and my wound hurts. If you have more questions, find me in the crew quarters. There we will continue our conversation. Kreia complained, seeing the reckless attitude of the chestnut-haired girl with her heroic delusions.
- Eh, don't let your endless and boring ramblings be about me. I was falling asleep. Atton thanked sarcastically, who was somewhat tired of the conversation among the Force users.
- Beside, in private, we won't have to endure the stupid and idiotic opinions, luckily. The woman with white hair was pleased as she insulted her companion Atton's attitude while she left the cabin on her own.
- Look, uh... It's not that I care or anything, but you should go check on our passenger anyway. Especially because of her hand. The brown-haired boy asked his partner to check Kreia's condition.
- You're right, maybe you need help. Can you take care of operating the ship? Surik kindly asked the brown-haired boy to crew the ship.
- We are on autopilot until Telos. Until then, a droid could pilot this thing. Beside, I think our passenger could use your support. Rand suggested going to accompany Kreia in this difficult moment.
- Why do you say that? I doubt the girl with brown hair is ready to go check on her companion's condition.
- Are you blind? If I were her, I would be screaming like a mynock (Mynocks were one of the few species capable of living in the vacuum of space. Their bodies had 2 wings similar to those of bats, which allowed them to fly in atmospheres. They used to cling to passing spaceships to bite the power cables, as their diet was based on electrical, electromagnetic, and stellar energy. The energy was absorbed thru a large mouth with a suction cup shape, located between their ocular peduncles) wounded, a very strong and manly mynock. I think she's too proud to show weakness... Especially in front of you. The brown-haired boy explained to his partner about the old woman's attitude in this situation and how she should feel deep down.
- How curious. Surik concluded about Rand and his point of view on what was happening to Kreia.
- In case you haven't noticed, he doesn't even speak to me. But with you, he talks a lot as soon as he gets the chance. Your opinion matters to him... a lot. He wants you to respect her. Beside, even Telos doesn't have much to do either. The flirty boy assured his companion about the matter of the woman with white hair.
- Since when do you have feelings? Surik joked sarcastically, seeing how much he cared about Kreia.
- Hey, don't start with that. You just have to be with people to understand them. You should try it someday. The brown-haired boy reasoned, clarifying his point of view.
- Alright, I'll go see how she is. Meetra declared herself ready to see her master.
Before going down the corridor leading to the ship's command cabin, he was able to see the navigation system, which, unfortunately, was blocked. Then he walked down the hallway and saw a left turn leading to a room with consoles, where he saw the small utility droid performing maintenance on the circuits of a wall and decided to speak to the automaton.
- "Dii-diiit?" The mechanical being asked the ex-Jedi, wanting to know what she needed.
- T3, what exactly is wrong with the starship navigation system? Asked Meetra, doubtful about that mystery, wanting to know the status of that system.
- Dii-dii... Dri-biii-driit. I explain the robot that blocked the navigation system.
- Did you close it? For what or why? I doubt the brown-haired girl, bewildered by her comrade's action.
- Dii... Diit. He responded by confessing that he did it to protect something he must hide.
- Protect? Protect whom? By whose order was that? The ex-Jedi asked, intrigued, thinking about who could have told this automaton to do that.
- Diii-riit, dii-diiit. Diiiit. T3 explained that an old friend asked him for that favor and that he shouldn't tell anyone where he went or who he was.
- An old friend? And this one doesn't want anyone to know where the Falcon had been? Doubtful Surik, even more bewildered by not knowing who that was, ordered the droid to do that.
- Dii... Diit. The droid continued providing context about its actions and explained that its old companion went to a very dangerous place and that the navigation system of this freighter was altered to prevent anyone from knowing where the ship had been.
- So, your friend, for some reason, went to that dangerous place and the navigation system was sabotaged so that no one would know where this ship had been previously.
- Dii... diit. The small robot reported, clarifying that he returned with the freighter, leaving his former partner in that dangerous place.
- But how could this ship return from there if they were so dangerous? Will you be able to see him again? And, why did you leave his side? And you were on the Falcon with Kreia? Questioned Meetra, very bewildered by all those doubts and uncertainties in her mind.
- Di... Diit. The droid replied, confirming what the brown-haired girl suspected.
- But where did this ship come from? I specify my question to the small mechanical being.
- Dii-riit, diit. T3 replied evasively to her partner, trying to steer away from that topic.
- You are deliberately avoiding answering. Why? She asked, intrigued by the reason for what he couldn't or didn't want to answer.
- Duooooo. The robot confirmed, saying it had protocols and configurations to prevent it from revealing what she wanted to know.
- Let me check your core. I'll be careful, I promise. The ex-Jedi suggested kindly to the droid.
- Biii-diiit, bii-riiii! Beep, beep! Questioned T3-M4 worriedly, as if doubtful of what might happen to him because of her intervention.
- I want to make sure you're okay. Let me check you, okay? Turn off for a moment, it will only take me a few minutes. Meetra proposed to the robot again with a friendly smile.
- Duooooooooo. I confirm the robot is ready for review by its partner.
When the girl with brown hair and her tools in T3 successfully completed the procedure, the automaton projected a hologram of a beautiful adult human woman, with fair skin and blue eyes, who said the following:
- T3, you have been with us since Taris. Without you, we would never have escaped that place... and that's why I thank you. I'm going to leave this message inside you because I've had a vision of the future... and the bond that connects him and me doesn't allow him to hide everything from me. He has recovered more memories and that torments him. He has remembered something, something at the edge of the galaxy, and he believes we must go there to finish it. But I fear for him... I fear he won't return. I need you to be his beacon, T3. If he gets lost out there, at the edge of the galaxy, if he encounters any of the terrible things he has seen, he might not survive. If he doesn't return, I need you to go to the Republic and ask for help. If you can't find me, look for another Jedi, the Republic... I can't lose him, even tho he thinks he's protecting me. The woman exposed to the automaton, order the droid to seek support to find her beloved.
- Is this what you were trying to hide? Asked Meetra, intrigued, seeing that her dear companion was hiding this.
- Beep-beep. Responding robot that its programming does not allow it to show this.
- I understand. I already know about your protocols, but I didn't know you stored messages like this. I affirm, bewildered by the revelation of something like this in T3's memory.
- Dii-diiit. I'm sorry, the automaton, for not being able to tell you about this earlier.
- Is the person in the hologram your friend? I inquire, the ex-Jedi tried to find out if I already knew her and if I had any affection for her.
- Bii-diit. Dii.... dii, dii-riiit, diit. Diit..... diit. The mechanical being assured that the woman in the hologram was Bastila Shan, the wife of his friend, and it turns out that this friend, this old friend the droid spoke of, was Revan, just as the person the woman referred to was the same.
- Wait a moment. Is your friend Revan? My old master! But you don't know where he is, do you? What happened to him? She suspected something was wrong, Surik thinking about fate, her old master, and seeing that her droid friend was not with him.
- Dii.... Diit. Diit. T3 replied, clarifying that the hero had to go alone to face a terrible threat and didn't want to involve his loved ones in it, which is why he erased his memory of his whereabouts.
- And if he didn't come back. She had to make sure that no one would follow his trail, to avoid putting anyone in danger, but it seems that Bastila, his beloved, programd you to seek help, to find her beloved. The ex-Jedi concluded, deducing what her old master wanted to do and what his partner had accomplished.
- But you managed to find me, Revan's old ally. Do you still believe I can do something? I doubt, said the girl with brown hair, hopeful, willing to do whatever it takes to save the galaxy.
- Beep-beep. The mechanical being asserted, saying that with luck, it managed to find her.
- But why me? I couldn't do anything, I had lost my connection with the Force before, but luckily thanks to Kreia I regained it, it's still weak and now I've lost my memory, I don't remember everything yet. Surik assured somewhat discouraged and hopeless, confessing that perhaps she would not be able to defeat the present evils now.
- Diiii-diiit. Driiiiii-diii diiit. T3 explained that he needed an old acquaintance close to Revan to use their skills from so many adventures alongside him.
- You needed someone strong enough to face the lurking danger. Someone who knew my master, as well as the Mandalorian wars, who could make the difficult decisions that needed to be made, in other words, that other me that I don't remember. Meetra concluded, seeing the hopes and illusions of the little automaton that perhaps she could help her.
- You honor me! T3. Maybe I lost my memory, but thanks to Kreia, I was able to regain my Force power. With her support, I will be able to remember how to strengthen my powers as skills, so that I can be strong enough to stop the Siths. The determined ex-Jedi encouraged herself that she could remember who she was and her abilities again.
- We must focus on defeating the Siths and then we can search for Revan. I reasoned Meetra was willing to first confront the present threat, then they could try to find out where their master went.
- Diii diiiit. He reasoned that they should first stop the darkness here and then they could follow the trail of the missing Jedi.
- Maybe a bit of routine maintenance. Would you mind if I try to improve your memory core? Suggested the brown-haired girl, considering that possibility.
- Druuu-uoooo. He approved the utility droid, ready for his friend to check it.
He successfully managed to repair the droid at least a little more, as far as he could.
- Driit. He responded positively, feeling as if his body had been enhanced in terms of processing capacity.
Surik remembered that she had the Force ability called: fear, which allows her to demoralize her enemies to a slight extent and managed to regain more of her former powers.
Then the ex-Jedi went to a console with which she could view the security cameras monitoring different areas of the ship.
Among them was the storage room where she saw an orange-red humanoid droid, turned off and with malfunctions in its body, as well as Kreia meditating in the port cabin. She left that room and went down the corridor to the central room of the Falcon, where she saw multiple corridors in different directions, and she could also see a nearby hatch thru which she had come and opened it, being able to see the same automaton she had seen thru the cameras.
The girl with chestnut hair, getting closer, was able to better see that it was an HK unit, but older and somewhat rusted compared to the one I faced on Peragus.
Meetra, upon examining it, noticed that its energy core still has a charge, but it lacks some fundamental parts.
Surik went to the utility droid to talk about the automaton.
- Do you know where that HK droid in the cargo bay came from? Surik asked, bewildered, where that mechanical being had come from.
- Dii... diit. T3 explained, stating the reasons why he had that automaton here and wanted to restore it.
- Were you trying to rebuild it? Why exactly? Surik inquires, curious and bewildered by her comrade's actions.
- Vri, did-illt - duooo, diit. Dii-riii. I inform the mechanical being specifying what I wanted to repair it for.
- To protect me? But it's an assassin droid; it's dangerous. I would prefer if you helped me and that's it. I question the worried ex-Jedi about what that robot could cause if it were reactivated and put into full operation.
- Dii-riiit, Diit. Dii-riiit diiit, dii-riiit! T3 justified himself by explaining his point that, if they modified and reprogrammed him, they could make him obey her without any problems.
- I know that a droid's behavior depends on its master's orders. The brown-haired girl reasons, seeing the logical point of view of her robot comrade.
- Diiiriiit diit bii-diit, dii-riit. The utility droid affirmed, confirming what Surik had said.
- Alright, alright. Where did you get it? Asked the ex-Jedi, wanting to know the origin of the mechanical being.
- Driii-viit, dii-diit. T3 responds by saying that on one of his trips he was able to find it, but it is missing parts.
- I found a vocalizer for an HK-50, I wonder if you can fit it into the droid you have here and maybe if I search with parts merchants, I can find the rest of them. The brown-haired girl concluded, thinking about that possibility.
- Duuuuuu. T3 affirmed, communicating that it is possible that this part could work in that older model.
The utility droid examined the automaton, and T3 informed him that this droid is missing very relevant components: its processor, a spare chassis, the control unit that should go in the chassis, and its vocalizer.
- I suppose that piece I collected could work here. Meetra assumed to her robot comrade to see if she could use this piece to use that part.
- Duooooooo. Affirmed the automaton, suggesting that it might indeed use that piece to complete HK.
Both the droid and the ex-Jedi managed to successfully install the component in the damaged droid, and then parted ways to go on their own. They explored the ship until they reached the cargo hold, where they found a storage room. Using their lockpicking skills, they were able to see the following items inside: an energy shield, 95 credits, a force pike, an advanced medpac, a +/-3 pazaak card, and a Jedi robe.
Surik, walking thru the corridors, went to the ship's port cabin, where he saw Kreia meditating peacefully. The ex-Jedi caught the elderly woman's attention, who got up from where she was and turned to look at her apprentice.
- The end -