Star Wars The Old Republic: The Jedi Crusader

CHAPTER 12 - DROMUND KAAS - REGRET

There was an eerie silence on the ship.

Nobody was speaking a word to one another, despite the 'success' of their mission.

Telum spoke quietly in the cargo hold, alone where he hoped nobody could hear him.

"Hello. Is the, uh, the Rat King there?" He spoke to Ni'a on a holo.

"I... will speak to him. He is currently a tad busy-" She seemed hesitant, but was interrupted regardless.

"Is that the kid? Lemme talk to him." Rat King's voice wheezed in the background.

"Sire, your health-"

"I'm fine." He pushed past her as he came into picture.

"Hey... kid. I got the info." He coughed as he held his lungs.

"Thank you, Sir! Are you okay?" Telum asked, concerned for the Rat's health.

"I'm fine kid. But thanks. I've sent you the co-ordinates for the lab. It's only got a skeleton staff and no security. They're keeping as low a profile as possible. Away from the eyes of the Empire. Seems even those freaks have..." He coughed up a storm before finishing. "Have... their limits. One of the crew has gone rogue and is seeking help... tell you what; go get some codes off of him and his lab pass and you should have free reign of the place... I'll send the co-ordinates to a meeting... point..." His words slurred as he continued to lose consciousness.

"I really appreciate it, sir." Telum wanted to smile but couldn't bring himself to do so as he looked at the battered state of the Rat King.

"Don't... mention it. You deserve it, and I owe you one. Besides... who would I be if I didn't help a kid in need?" He began to lose consciousness as Ni'a helped him stand.

"You must return to the bacta tank, sire." Ni'a said.

"So it seems... good luck, Telum... Let me... let me know how it goes." His words trailed off as the holo cut out. Telum checked the co-ordinates he had been given. They were the ones he had been searching for, for so long. He went back up to the main hull and knocked on Mara's door, who quickly answered.

"What's up?" She asked.

"I have a big favour to ask." He twiddled his fingers and looked at the floor.

"Sure, what is it?" Mara knelt to where she was level with him in an effort to reassure him.

"Well, you see... the people who made me like this, they're back at it. I want to stop them for good."

"Well, we have no leads on the Dread Masters right now, so sure. Where are they?"

"Dromund Kaas"

"Come again?" Mara thought he was joking.

"Yeah..."

"Telum, that's the heart of Imperial space. There's no way we'd even break orbit before we were in bits..."

"Don't worry!" He chirped up. "I have some co-ordinates from our rat friend, and he says there's an escaped scientist who will give us what we need for safe passage in exchange for safety!"

"That sounds like a plan!" Nico's voice came from around the corner.

"Were you eavesdropping?" Mara asked sternly.

"No, no! Just overheard you guys. Look, this is a golden opportunity, no? We can stop these monsters from ruining more lives. They've only ever produced one good thing out of infinite misery they induced." He ruffled Telum's hair.