Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 3

[dusk20]

I wrote this many years ago when I heard that Knights of the Old Republic III would not be made. KotOR 1 and 2 were both fantastic RPG's made for PC and XBOX back in the mid 2000's. Set in the Star Wars universe 4000 years before the movies, they told the story of Darth Revan. Once I realised that Part III would never be made, I decided to plot out and pen (type) my own continuation story. It picks up roughy 10 years after the events of Part 2 and brings in new characters. It's not written the best, but I'm happy with the story and the outline I had planned. I hope you enjoy. Share with others and please comment as I'm really interested in hearing what you have to say.

- Ross Joseph



STAR WARS
Knights of the Old Republic III

PROLOGUE

The faint light shone off the crystals protruding from within the cave wall. A damp atmosphere filled the caves and the sounds of dripping water could be heard throughout. The ground itself was moist, yet surprisingly tough as Aiden Coran found when he kneeled down across from another student.

Aiden was twenty years old and one of the older Jedi Padawan's still residing on Dantooine. He was yet to leave the green rich planet unlike many other Padawan's, which Aiden Coran resented. However he was under the training of Master Bastila Shan, and with her being a member of the Jedi Council on Dantooine, their mission's were always planet based.

Occasionally Bastila had left for important mission's off planet, but they were to do with the Council and a Padawan was forbidden.

Kneeling across from Aiden in a meditative state was a younger Padawan named Jana Nellum. She was constructing her first lightsaber and in the state she was in, Jedi were able to piece the weapon together using the Force as their tool. The process could take anywhere from minutes to days depending on how open the Padawan was to the Force.

It was an experience that Aiden remembered quite well. He rubbed his temples and traced a scar down to his cheekbone. The scar itself wasn't deep, but the emotional pain it carried was. The Padawan lowered his head and picked up a hand full of dirt.

The process of constructing a lightsaber was meant to be a peaceful one, so Aiden done his best to keep quite.

Using the Force he gripped the dirt around him and lifted it to eye level. The dirt floated in midair as Aiden poked his index finger through it. Pieces of dirt scattered and slowly drifted out.

He then glanced down around him and took a small stone off the ground. It was a simple rounded stone, but Aiden smiled as it was bought inches from the scattered dirt. Once his fingers opened, the Force took hold of the stone and lifted it into the center of the floating dirt.

Fed up, he sighed but watched as he made the dirt dance around the stone. Each piece represented a planet Aiden had yet to visit with the stone being the center of the galaxy. Tens of systems and hundreds of planets that the Padawan feared he'd never get to see.

Even as the “galaxy” danced around in front of him, he knew that something was missing. A light source. Aiden reached down to his brown leather belt and removed his lightsaber which he ignited under the “galaxy” he had created. Each piece of dirt now shone green from the lightsaber. Aiden laughed at himself and moved the lightsaber with his right hand a little to case different shadows onto each piece.

It wasn't really the type of meditating the Council asked of a Padawan, but for Aiden it was. Standard meditation was not the Aiden's favorite Jedi pastime. Images often appeared in his head that seemed like dreams. Thoughts he did not like crept in and it was because of those reason that the Jedi Council had not yet made Aiden Coran a Jedi Knight. He knew it was the reasons why.

Just last season a Jedi Padawan was made a Knight. In all fairness he was older than Aiden but experience wise he was not. Aiden had shown great skill with a lightsaber and other Padawan's frequently put his Force abilities to the test. He deserved to be a Knight for all those reasons and also for another he never could keep hidden. His yearning to explore the galaxy.

Aiden snapped back into reality and let the dirt and stones fall back to the cave floor.

A faint rumble was heard and the Aiden looked at the side cave wall. Small rocks broke out from the bumpy surface making way for a blue crystal. It floated over to Jana Nellum and stopped inches above the partially constructed lightsaber hilt.

The lightsaber colors were something a Jedi had no control over, at first anyway. Each of the three colors held a special connection to the Force as well as the Jedi.

A green blade, which Aiden himself used, was a Jedi who believed more in the Force. Combat was guided with the Force itself using it to enhance their natural senses, abilities and progression through the battle. It also meant that a Jedi brandishing a green blade was more adapt to the Force. More open to all things and naturally more guided by it.

It wasn't to say a Jedi using a green blade was a terrible combatant, they just believed more in resolving a situation with a peaceful conclusion rather than brute strength like a blue bladed user.

Aiden sat mesmerized as the pieces of lightsaber hilt lifted around the blue crystal. Jana sat kneeled emotionless with both hands flat on her thighs. To watch this was an experience all in its own. As the Force held the blue crystal in mid air, it guided the metal sections that would make up the hilt into position.

Minutes passed as the metal casing closed around the crystal. The lightsaber hilt was almost complete as a bright light slowly burned out through the closing gaps. Finally the light dimmed and the lightsaber hilt floated a meter off the cave floor.

Apart from his own experience, this was the first time Aiden had seen the construction of a lightsaber. He stood up and watched Jana Nellum take a deep breath. Her eyes opened as the air escaped her lungs and both Padawan looked at each other. The lightsaber stayed fixed in between them as she climbed to her feet. Jana kept her hands by her side and Aiden nodded as if to say it was okay to take the weapon.

Her fingers inched closer and closer to the cold metal frame until it was gripped in her right hand. Jana could feel the black rubber grip around the hilt and then it hit her all at once. It was hers, no longer a training lightsaber, but a real lightsaber. Jana had earned this and her right amongst the Jedi.

“Go on,” said Aiden his voice echoing throughout the cave.

A glint of light came off the metal hilt and Jana thumbed the controls. A snapping sound cut throughout the area as the blue blade shot up from the emitter. It lit the area around the Padawan and Aiden could see the smile and wide eyed expression on Jana's face.

The blade was pulled in closer against her body and Jana examined the weapon to make sure it wouldn't fall apart. A feat that wouldn't be possible now that the Force had secured it.

“I just don't believe it,” said Jana. “It feels so, perfect.” She took a few steps back from Aiden then began to swing the blade around with her right hand. Shadows were cast all around them and it wasn't long before the female Padawan was encased within a light of blue.

With his own lightsaber in hand, Aiden clipped it back onto his belt and threw his hood over his head casting his features into darkness.

“Now that we're done here,” the older of the two Padawan said. “We should head back to the Council Chambers. I'm sure you're Master will be very impressed.”

The blue blade whipped around Jana and Aiden could hear the humming sound being produced by the lightsaber. But as he began to head on the path out of the caves, the blue light cut out. The snapping sound was very distinct to that of Aiden's own, but each one was.

“Wait up Aiden,” Jana shouted from behind. She ran up beside him and then quickly matched his pace to continue along. “Why do you think the Master's were needed back at the Council so urgently?”

Her young mind was one that often surprised Aiden, but being only two standard years older than Jana, he didn't mind. After all his own Master had regularly put him in place.

“I'm not sure Jana, but Master Shan did mention something about Coruscant,” he replied.

“Maybe its your chance off Dantooine,” she stated not even aware that Aiden was thinking the same thing. From behind his hood, the corner of his mouth lifted and Jana knew that he was smiling even if he would not let it be known.

 

[dusk20]

DANTOOINE
CHAPTER ONE


Both Padawan exited the cave and the fresh morning air swirled around them. The lush tall grass crumbled beneath their boots with each step they took and the bright yellow sun beamed off the lakes. A few local animals were around the lakes drinking while others just kept to themselves.

Off in the far distance the reflected light shone off the Jedi Council building like a beacon of light. Aiden and Jana walked towards the building while talking about trivial things.

After walking a fair distance through the fields and farms, the two Padawan eventually arrived at the Council building. Ever since becoming a Jedi Padawan, Aiden never got use to the sight of seeing the Council building and how perfectly it mated with Dantooine.

From a distance the building was just a vast silver dome that glistened in the sun, however up close the finer details come out. It stretched out over the length of three large farms, with the bottom half of the dome seeming to mold itself in with the grass and trees. Vines reached up the sides of the dome like fingers and appeared to be held in place by the structure itself.

Housing at least fifty or so Jedi was quite simple with the building having three levels. The Council members had their quarters on the upper most level which also housed their Council Chamber. All other Jedi occupied the rest of the build with the basement level used as a training quarters. However most of the Jedi still preferred the fresh outside environment of Dantooine to the indoor facilities.

Outside and around the building itself were many other Jedi and Padawan. A few congratulated Jana with finally constructing her lightsaber. She hung around while Aiden continued walking for the front door. He approached the doors and waved a hand. The two doors became semi-transparent and slid to each side allowing Aiden to make his way through.

The Padawan pulled his hood back once inside the warm confides of the building. The doors behind closed cutting off the outdoor sounds.

Although peaceful, the Jedi still required their privacy and it showed with the admittance of entry. Only a Force user could open the doors into the building. Aiden was once told by Bastila that it was the only security the Council building had against intruders, a simple door and tens of Jedi Aiden often thought.

Aiden made his way to the far end of the building where the stairs waited. He glided along the smooth flooring not bothering to exchange conversations with other Padawan. The only thought on his mind at that point was the Council meeting. No body would be able to provide information about the meeting, and Aiden was certain it had something to do with his being Knighted.

Only days ago, Bastila and Aiden had gone out on a field training mission deep into the dark forests of Dantooine. Bastila had made mention of his Knighthood but dismissed the subject when Aiden's concentration slipped putting him at risk.

Aiden reached the bottom of the stairs and bolted up catching looks from other Padawan around him, but if the meeting was about him, then he had a right to be present. No matter what his Master said.

Upon making his way to the top level, the Padawan took a few deep breaths and started his way towards the Council meeting room. He got closer and closer when he heard Jana behind him.

“Aiden!” she shouted just loud enough not to disturb the others. Jana paced over to the old Padawan and rested her hand on his arm. “I spoke with Master Rusk, who says the landing bay has been opened.” She stared in Aiden's brown eyes. “It's the Ebon Hawk,” Jana paused. “Its going to be here soon.”

His eye's deepened. The Ebon Hawk he thought. Aiden didn't wait to say anything, he ran off with Jana following.


******


Bastila stood in the center of the Council room. Her red hair was tied back and hung just over her left shoulder. The stale air chocked at the back of her throat as she spoke with her fellow Masters.

Juhani sat with her legs crossed and her Cather, feline, features cut a sharp gaze into Bastila's eyes. “What you are asking is out of the question Master Shan,” she stated. “We simply cannot allow you to take off for an extended period of time in search of a man who no longer lives.”

The red haired Master shook her head from side to side dismissing the statement. “I sit on the Council just like the rest of you,” she began to say. “But I don't understand how you believe this mission to be a waste of time.”

Silence took hold of the room for a moment. The Cather leaned back in her chair and looked over to Master Bindo. His face was expressionless but he stared at Bastila.

“Believe what you wish Master Shan,” he spoke in thunderous tone commanding respect. “We know that Revan is dead, and even if he weren't, he no longer wants to be found.”

Revan.
That cut into Bastila. Revan was once a great Jedi Master who sadly fell to the dark side. He was corrupted by power and became the Sith Lord Darth Revan. Along with his apprentice Darth Malak, Revan uncovered a Star Forge via maps located throughout the galaxy. The Star Forge was able to create ships, weapons and droids and with these, Revan intended to control the galaxy.

He failed though, or more, Bastila succeeded. Revan was saved and turned away from the dark side. Together with Bastila and others, they defeated Darth Malak once and for all. There was peace in the galaxy but Revan wasn't satisfied believing that Sith still harbored around the galaxy.

Being a Jedi meant there was no love. As emotion such as that could and frequently did lead towards the dark side. However Bastila had tasted the dark side and Revan could not allow her to fall down that path again. Their love for each other ended the day they parted ways.

Revan promised to return when the Sith were no more. That was fourteen years ago Communication was lost with Revan after a year and his last transmission came from the outer rim, a sector Bastila knew quite well.
Bastila raised her head and looked around at the other Council members. Each one stared at her hoping she would agree with Jolee Bindo the oldest and most respected Jedi Master, but they all knew Bastila better than that.

“I will not believe that Master Bindo,” Bastila managed to say. “If the Council will not allow me this mission,” she paused longer than expect. “Then I chose to no longer be apart of the Order, Masters.”

Juhani shifted in her seat wanting to speak, but she closed her mouth and waited.

“Master Shan, you do understand that doing so would mean you will be denounced as a Jedi Master and exiled from the Jedi Order?” Master Xor spoke in a soft almost melody tone.

She looked at Master Xor; his reptilian features displayed no emotion like a human. “Yes,” confirmed Bastila. Only a meter in front of where she stood, a panel in the white marble flooring shifted and a stone block rose up waist height. “I ask of only one thing Masters.”

Master Bindo waited.

“My Padawan Aiden Coran. He is ready to face the trials,” Bastila unclipped the lightsaber from her belt. It was a double-edged design that required impressive skill to control. One false move and the wielder could be hurt just as badly.

“Aiden Coran is a skillful Padawan but extremely impatient and you are in no position to request anything of the Council anymore,” said a very cold voiced Master Bindo. “Once you place your lightsaber on that stone, you will no longer be a Jedi. All benefits of the Jedi Council will be taken and you will be exiled forever.”

It was a speech Bastila had heard only once before but that was many years ago. And it was when she was only a Padawan. The search for Revan was too important and with lightsaber in hand, Bastila bravely walked up to the stone block. She placed her weapon down on the block. “Masters,” she bowed one final time then turned and left the room.

The Masters all looked at each other and Master Xor's reptilian scales changed to a shade of darker green. He was visibly disturbed and unfortunately, Master Xor was unable to mask his main emotion like a human.

“What's done is done,” said Juhani. “Bastila has made her decision and that is all that matters. She was a great Jedi and powerful ally.”

Jolee Bindo stood from his seat and moved over to the stone block. “As Jedi we must move on,” said the dark skinned Jedi Master. “Aiden Coran will need a new Master, but that will be discussed later on.”

Slowly the rest of the Masters filed out of the room. Jolee stood frozen in the same position staring down at the double-edged lightsaber. He had known Bastila for years now, but lately she had become even more impatient that her Padawan. Jolee, with lightsaber in tow, stepped out of the Council Chamber.


******


Her robe was pulled in close to her body. Jana and Aiden were hidden from view a they watched a ship pass through the sky blocking the sun for a second. They looked at each other knowing it was the Ebon Hawk, one of the most talked about ships the galaxy had ever known. Bastila had once been a crew member of the Ebon Hawk and Aiden had heard most of the stories.

Jana had a wide smile across her face as the engines of the Hawk suddenly got close enough to hear. Aiden beside her could not take his eyes off the ship and watched as it turned around slowly lowering down into the landing bay.

The engines faces towards the Padawan and Aiden could feel the warmth coming off them. Exhaust vents around the ship blew out stale air, in the form of steam, that previously occupied the cabin and soon after the vents hummed as they took in fresh supplies. Aiden chuckled a little to himself. The Ebon Hawk was breathing.

“This is simply amazing,” Aiden aid while tapping Jana on the shoulder. “I wonder why its here though.”

As Aiden spoke those words a figure walked across the landing bay. Her familiar stride caught Aiden's attention. “Master Shan?” he asked himself. “What's she doing boarding the ship?”

The curious Padawan moved from out of the cover and began to walk towards the ship. He was stopped by Jana who tried to pull him out of view.

“I have to go,” he firmly said to the younger Padawan. “If Bastila is boarding the Ebon Hawk, that can only mean she is going after Revan.”

Across the way, the Padawan watched as his Master started up the cargo ramp of the Hawk.

“You still can't go Aiden, what if you don't come back?” she asked close to tears.

The engines began to fire up casting a blue glow over Aiden. He turned around to completely face Jana. “Of course I'll be back,” he said in a serious manner. He placed his bare palm on Jana's face and rubbed it a little. “I'll see you again.”

Jana wasn't sure how she felt about the Padawan in front of her, but his hand warm her body up even more than the heat from the engines. She could see the ship's turning bright blue and then noticed Aiden begin to turn.

“Keep Master Shan safe,” she tried to finish the sentence with words but only thought them instead.

“I assure you Jana, I will be safe,” Aiden said while reading her thought. It was a talent no other Jedi had exhibited and something Bastila warned Aiden about. He noticed a tear sliding out of Jana's eye and wiped it away with his thumb. “Besides I've got to collect my lightsaber.”

And with that, Jana let go of Aiden. She was not sure what he meant by collecting his lightsaber but let him run to the ship. Jana watched as the Hawk lifted off the landing bay floor and spun around as it continued to lift.

In that same second Aiden, using the Force, leaped up for the cargo ramp door. He grabbed on and pulled himself into the ship with only seconds to spare. The cargo ramp shut.

Jana wiped another tear from her eye when the Hawk was gone from view. At first Jana didn't want to move from the area hoping that Aiden would return, but she soon found it would not be the case. As the landing bay roof closed, the Padawan looked down at the ground when something caught her eye. It was Aiden's lightsaber.

She snapped it up and hooked it to her belt, now she knew her friend would return. A lightsaber was a Jedi's heart and soul, and now she held his.


******


The Ebon Hawk made one final journey around the Jedi Council dome before shooting off into the sky towards the stars. Watching as it became nothing more than a tiny dot was Master Bindo.

He stood in his sleeping quarters with his arms crossed. His gaze was focused intently on the ship and frowned heavily gripping the lightsaber of the now exiled Jedi.

 

[dusk20]

THE EBON HAWK
CHAPTER TWO


The engines worked overtime as the Ebon Hawk broke out of the Dantooine atmosphere. It was always a delicate task that Atton, the pilot and owner, never trusted in the hands of a droid or the ship computer itself.

There were too many variables and he preferred the human touch. The sky finally gave way to the beautiful view of space. The stars sparkled around in the blackness of space.

His fingers danced across the control panel that was laid out in front of him. Button were flicked on and others off. Atton Rand placed both hands back on the control stick eyes darting left and right as the screen displayed destination and hull conditions.

A humming noise vibrated its way through the cockpit as Atton cut the overdrive engines and allowed it to settle back to cruise speeds. Overworking the engines was never Atton's style, especially when the destination ahead was one of uncertainty. He knew they were heading for Coruscant, but it didn't matter. The Ebon Hawk was a sought after ship with a lot of modifications, most illegal, they found attention wherever it docked.

Atton had been with the ship for years and was a damned good pilot. The best he would say. With the modifications the Hawk had, it was easily one of the fastest known ships throughout the galaxy. Able to protect crew in battle and nothing a few credits could not get unwanted eyes to forget about. But people knew of the Ebon Hawk and its battles. Its travels were well documented and something that Atton hated being asked about. It was his only love and something he was proud to own, make that his second love.

“Bastila is here,” said a familiar female voice from the cockpit door.

The busy pilot turned his head and looked at his co-pilot. “I'm just setting the coordinates for Coruscant. Shouldn't be much longer Vaya.”

Vaya looked at her partner and blew him a kiss. Their affections for each other were kept hidden from most parties. It was a tactic Attan suggested to bypass ransom's for control of the Hawk.

“Almost done,” he said confirming his previous words. He turned back to face the control board and fiddled with them again. The cockpit door closed behind and Vaya was gone.

It was not long before the interior lights dimmed within the cockpit informing Attan that autopilot was active. He took a step back from the controls and then cracked his knuckles. Just one of his habits whenever leaving control of the Hawk.


******


On another part of the Ebon Hawk, Aiden Coran made his way from the cargo door. The boots he wore would normally leave a clanging sound with each step, but the Padawan was skillful enough to keep himself virtually silent.

The layout of the ship was foreign to the Padawan, so each opening he saw was a new path and possible blunder. With Bastila on board Aiden was careful with his senses, however he reached out and allowed the Force to guide him. Wherever his Master was onboard, she wasn't within close proximity or his senses would've picked her up. Then again he didn't push this ability to far out as not to trigger hers.

Aiden was guided to what looked like a storage area. The interior was partially lit up with most of it surrounded in shadows, but the room was practically empty save for a few crates and a workbench in the side corner. He continued to make his way through the storage room when a beeping noise was heard.

The Padawan took cover behind a large piece of tanned dura-steel framing and reached out with his senses. However there was nothing in the room to alarm him. Aiden ran his fingers through his short hair and stood from behind the cover. It was times like this his lightsaber would be handy. Just as the Padawan took another step forward, something grabbed him around the neck and lifted him inches off his feet.

He could feel the stone cold fingers of dura-steel wrapped around his neck applying just enough pressure to let him breathe. Whatever was attacking him though was impossibly strong and deadly. Aiden thought about using the Force to tear the droid apart, but feared the result could cause the metal fingers to compress around his neck killing him, a situation Aiden didn't want.

So instead Aiden reached out with his senses pushing them further than before until he saw Bastila and another two within his field. His feet continued to dangle as the interior lit up and the Padawan came face to face with a tanned colored droid.

The droid itself was of a humanoid design with two arms and legs, a torso and head. But its skeleton was completely made of dura-steel, one of the toughest in the entire galaxy and it had strength to back it up.

Aiden choked and tried to pry the metal fingers from his neck but had no luck.

“Master Bastila,” said the droid in a robotic tone. “Such a pleasure to see you again.”

Great, Aiden thought. The droid seemed to know Bastila which made things even worse. Now that his Master was in the room they would probably turn back to Dantooine.

“Good to see you HK,” said Bastila making her way up beside the droid. She rested a hand on the droid's own. “But if you wouldn't mind, the Padawan needs to apologize.”

HK turned to look at Bastila. “Apologize for what?” his mouthpiece blinked.

It's fingers opened and Aiden fell to the floor. He sucked in as much air as he could take to fill his burning lungs. Aiden tried to talk, but he coughed instead. Bastila walked out of the room and the HK unit followed with each step leaving a hard clap against the metal floor.

When the Padawan finally stepped into the room, a large red mark was slightly noticeable around his neck. Three sets of eyes faced him and the tanned HK unit stood with folded arms. Aiden bowed his head waiting for the usual bombardment of lessons from Bastila, but it did not happen.

“Um,” started Aiden. “I would like to apologize for sneaking onboard and causing a disturbance Master. It wasn't my place to follow you without consent from you or the Council.”

A silence would have fallen across the room, but Atton introduced himself. “I'm Atton Rand,” he smiled. “Owner and pilot of this beautiful ship, the Ebon Hawk.” He extended his hand which Aiden accepted.

Usually skin to skin contact allowed Aiden to hear the thoughts of those he touched, but all he lifted off the man in front were numbers. More correctly the counting of numbers. He looked to be in his early forties with dark brown hair. His short trimmed beard was greying which gave Aiden the impression the man was using a tanning gel to keep his natural color around. Standard brown pants and a white shirt underneath an orange padded vest finished off the man.

Atton took his seat and the woman beside him spoke up. “Vaya Phaon,” she said offering her name.

Her presence was felt in the Force and the Padawan knew she was a Jedi, or at least had training in the Force. Some people had the ability to mask themselves with the Force, but this woman seemed to glorify her existence by shinning like a light in darkness. Her shoulder length dark hair was a little messy but left to move as it pleased. Her face looked tired and age. Aiden could sense that whatever mission the pilots had been on was taking its toll. Although a Jedi, she dressed like a normal citizen save for the much tighter clothing.

Time passed between talking between the four with the HK unit standing in the corner of the room checking over things. Atton ducked in and out of the room every so often to check on the controls, while Bastila spoke with Vaya.

Aiden kept himself busy while waiting for Bastila to correct his action, however it never came. He began to get a little concerned over that matter.

“Master?” said the Padawan hoping not to interrupt.

Bastila stopped her conversation with the other Jedi who walked off to the cockpit with Atton. The HK unit moved closer to Bastila as she stood in front of Aiden, but stopped a few feet away. The light reflected of his chest plates making the Padawan feel a little unwelcome. “You should not have followed Aiden,” she said with a firm look. “This mission was not ordered by the Council, nor is my being here.”

Aiden jerked his head back with the comments puzzling him. “But what of the Council then?”

“I've disbanded myself from the Council.”

“But Master...” he was cut short by Bastila.

“And I am no longer your Master,” she confirmed.

The Padawan looked down at her belt and couldn't see her lightsaber. “You've been exiled from the order?” Inside he already knew the response. He saw Bastila tilt her head slightly. “What of myself then? Where do I stand?”

Bastila placed a hand on her former Padawan's shoulder. “You're still a Padawan, just not mine anymore.”

He let out a deep breath as if to say something but turned his eyes away from his now former Master.

“When we finish on Coruscant, you will have to go back to Dantooine,” said Bastila while dropping her hand back to her side. “And you will need to explain your actions to the Council.”

Now his chances of becoming a Jedi Knight were well and truly put off. The Council may forgive him, but his leaving the planet without consent would leave a sour taste in their mouth. At least he could go down in history as the oldest Padawan ever in the Jedi Order.


******


It would take a few standard days for the Ebon Hawk to reach Coruscant. Most of the crew were resting in bunks on the starboard side of the ship. The rooms were not overly furnished, but they fit the needs until better accommodation was available.

Being pilot of the ship, Atton never liked being apart from the control. He worried a major threat would occur but Vaya calmed him down. She often reminded him the HK had been programmed to fly the ship, and that he might even be more capable thanks to quicker reflexes and knowledge of systems. If anyone else had said that to Atton Rand he mostly likely would have blasted them out of the lower air lock, but Vaya was one of a kind.

Besides she said might be a better pilot. That meant there was still a chance Atton could prove how much better he was with his Ebon Hawk.

The cockpit door slid open and in walked HK. He was a highly modified assassin droid with dura-steel plating instead of the standard, and weaker, omni-steel. Omni-steel proved greater flexibility and range of movement, but a blaster bolt at pointblank range would cook the circuitry. HK was modified by Revan many years ago when he was still known as Darth Revan. Back then HK and Darth Revan were a force to be reckoned with.

HK sat in the form-chair and looked at the star outside that were blurred into long thin lines. It was the only thing to see when traveling through hyperspace, and a view HK never saw the point of.

Each part of his dura-steel plating was riddled with battle scars each telling their own story. It was not like he needed to remember though; a droid's memory cell was definite. He could remember the first image of his “birth” to the moment his memory was wiped clean. Unknown to HK at the time, Revan had installed a backup memory cell deep in his central core. So now he never forgot anything.

In his time with the Jedi exile, or Master Vaya as he preferred to call her, HK was loaded with additional programming by Atton. HK was now a more “emotional” assassin droid. He new felt all the normal things creatures felt, which often saddened him. The only benefit was that it gave HK an added advantage to the emotional state of most people, in turn making him a better killing machine.

Time passed while HK sat in the cockpit of the Ebon Hawk. The droid thought about shutting himself down to conserve energy, but when the cockpit door opened, in strolled Aiden Coran.

The young Jedi had hazel eyes and short brown hair, a braid of which hung from behind his right ear. He enjoyed the physical side to Jedi training as his strong muscular frame showed. A few marks were visible on his face, the most noticeable being a thin scar. HK studied the Padawan's face then turned to face the front again.

“This is amazing,” said Aiden. It was the first time seeing hyperdrive and after getting over the astonishment of it all, he moved to the seat unoccupied next to HK and sat in it.
It was the third time HK had been in the same room as Aiden Coran. Already he had lifted information about the Padawan from the ship's database. Nothing came up which gave the assassin droid the opinion that he had never been off planet. Now the assassin droid was curious.

'You are a Jedi?” ask the droid.

The robotic voice sounded different to any that Aiden had heard. “I'm only a Padawan,” he said flicking the hair braid behind his ear. “You must have been all over the galaxy? What's it like?” he asked with such enthusiasm.

“Each system is different in their own ways,” the droid tapped his chest plating sounding a metal ping. “Each planet is planet as too are the species that inhabit them. Master Vaya and Atton tell me that space is cold, but you don't seem to be phased about such matters. Why?”

“I'm not sure HK-47,” Aiden replied looking up from the droids chest plating.

“Please,” the droid said. “Only HK. HK-47 is only inscribed on my plating and a means of being notified of danger. A secret codeword between us if you like.”

Aiden smiled at the sense of humor he was getting from the droid. “Okay,” he agreed. “Well thi is my first time off Dantooine. I've been there since I was born and never been off planet once. So maybe its the thrill of being in the Ebon Hawk that I'm not feeling the cold yet.”

“Where is you lightsaber?” asked the aroid. Another one of the many questions he had prepared to find out more about the young Padawan. “Don't all Jedi carry that weapon?”

He scratched the back of his head. “Yeah they do, when they're old enough to construct one.” His fingers ran over the control panel careful not to touch anything. “I have a lightsaber but it's back on Dantooine.”

“Why?”

“To which part?”

HK searched back through his memory cell. “Why is the weapon left on Dantooine?”

“I left it with a friend of mine. Another Padawan like myself only younger. Her name is Jana Nellum and I left it with her so I had a reason to go back and collect it.”

The assassin droid said nothing pondering the what was just said. “Isn't a Padawan taught that a lightsaber is their life?”

Aiden turned his head to the assassin droid. He had never really thought about it like that and maybe it was the reason the Council held him back from Knighthood. “Let's change the subject HK,” he dragged the words out hoping to put his stupidity at rest. However HK had other plans.

“But I much prefer the subject matter we are currently on.”

Aiden folded his arms and started laughing while staring out into the blurred stars in front.