Disclaimer: I do not own KotOR, BioWare does.


Revan.

A name recognised in many ways.

Renowned as the Revanchist.

Infamous as the Butcher.

Feared as Darth.

-O-

Bastila Shan was the first to walk briskly up the ramp of the large transport shuttle in docking bay 7. She took what was perhaps her last look around the docking bay of a Republic cruiser, nervously brushing back strands of brown hair that hung loose from her pigtails. She glanced around the dull grey metal walls that enclosed the docking bay. And the blue ray shields separating black space from the bay, humming with life.

Once inside the shuttle, Bastila took a seat behind the co-pilot who was preparing the shuttle for it's very, very dangerous flight. The remaining members of the strike team filed in one by one before the ramp closed and secured them inside. Like a door of a room shutting, closing off the light from the outside world and leaving everyone inside to suffer in the dark.

Bastila appeared composed as the shuttle made final preparations to lift off the Republic cruiser, however, inside she was a fluttering breeze full of doubts and hopes. Admiral Taron's forces had to provide a standing distraction to the the Sith fleet, long enough for her strike team to infiltrate the flagship. Otherwise their gamble was lost and the Republic, no, the galaxy would have to suffer the consequences dealt by Darth Revan. Formerly known as the Revanchist, the rogue Jedi inspiring many to follow and support his cause in the Mandalorian War. Now, an infamous Sith Lord who had fallen from the Light.

Now a monster.

Bastila did her best to release her hatred and fear into the force, but struggled. Her swirling thoughts of every evil deed Darth Revan had performed powered her black hate and dread towards him; towards the tyrant behind a mask that created an image of fear and mystery, once an image of hope and the greater good. Bastila's composure shattered as these feelings began to grow stronger. She scolded herself for feeling such blinding emotions. Everyone was counting on her to lead 43 Jedi and Republic soldiers directly to Darth Revan. She was a Jedi, and could not succumb to her fears! Especially now!

But what if we-I fail, she thought. How can we possibly fight our way through his forces? There will be Dark Jedi, Sith soldiers, not to mention deadly droids...

Suddenly, Bastila's mind was silenced by the feeling of warmth and comfort radiating from her fellow Jedi and second in command, Anyara. Anyara reached over from her seat and placed her hand on Bastila's slumped shoulder. "Bastila, we are to take off soon and are enroute for Revan's flagship." When she didn't receive a reply, she shook her shoulder gently. "Are you okay? I can sense your fear rolling of your very force signature. I understand how you could feel such emotions right now, but remember, we must keep a clear mind and focus on the task ahead."

Bastila let out a shaky breath, her chest shuddering. "I am fine, Anyara, I will...briefly meditate and connect with the Force."

Anyara had the strength to chuckle. "You honestly think you can attain a comfortable meditation position in a shuttle maneuvering around enemy fire, droids, and starships?"

"Well, no, of course not," sputtered Bastila, taken aback. "But-"

"Just take a moment, relax, and release your fear into the Force. You do not need a fancy meditation pose to be able to connect freely. Simply clear your mind, and let it all flow, then drift away. Immerse yourself in the calm."

Bastila glanced at her, nodded determinedly, and closed her eyes, clearing her mind of her doubts on the mission and the team. She instead embraced the calm essence of the Force, and let her mind drift, releasing the hatred and fear she felt. A few moments later she opened her eyes and met Anyara's yellow Cathar ones, glistening with a concern. Bastila simply smiled a small, hopeful smile in reply. She had successfully gained control of her emotions, for now. Letting out a sigh, Bastila tried to relax in her seat as best as she could, not wanting to ruin the newly found calm and peace she felt.

She was determined to become the greatest Jedi she could be, even if it meant pushing herself to the absolute limit, and make the Jedi Council proud. She knew that they thought her lack of control was her greatest weakness. That this flaw was holding her back from her training, from the Jedi Code. She was determined to prove them wrong.


"The youngling...Bastila," said Master Vrook, gesturing to a young brown haired girl who was gritting her teeth and furrowing her eyebrows in determination. "She is too passionate! She basks in praise and sulks when things do not go her way! How can we properly train her unless she harnesses these emotions and learns not to immerse in them," he protested.

"Bastila is only a youngling, she still has time to learn," replied Master Vandar.

Masters Vandar and Vrook were watching Bastila and her sparring partner exchange blows during their lightsaber class. Bastila had chosen to utilize the double-bladed training saber, a rare choice for a Jedi youngling, and was battering her opponent's defense with it's use. Her opponent, a green skinned twi-lek youngling, was struggling to maintain his stance and regain his ground. Blow after blow he slowly began to crumble, his strokes becoming sloppy and he's arms quivering under impact each time he parried a blow. It was obvious he was tiring and beginning to panic, even though it was only a practise sparring match. Bastila meanwhile had a gleaming look in her harsh eyes, and the Masters felt the intense, unwavering confidence radiating off her as she continued to strike and subdue her opponent.

"Did you feel it," hissed Vrook. Vandar only watched silently as Bastila continued to spar. His brows furrowed at what happened next.

Suddenly, she performed a flurry of aggressive lightsaber strokes as she twirled her blades like a deadly baton of light, and finally struck her opponent on the side of his ribs. The The twi-lek let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground, though the training saber only stung him with a burn. Immediately extinguishing her training saber, Bastila set the saber staff aside and offered a hand to her fallen youngling, who hesitated to accept it. The look of victory and dominance was evident in Bastila's expression. Her mouth was upturned in a smirk.

The lightsaber instructor, Master Tali, put his hand on Bastila's shoulder in approval, though frowning. He opened his mouth, then paused, as if he had been about to mention something but decided against it. Instead, Master Tali addressed the rest of the class. "All right younglings, it is time for a break. I think that many of you have well deserved it." Indeed they had, for many classmates were sweating and panting after two hours of saber practise. Bastila followed the rest of her class out of the gym, however, not before taken a moment to smile at her accomplishment and beam with pride.


Bastila let her body relax, and her mind settle it's awareness on the rest of the shuttle. She heard the whirring sound of control panels and boards, just starting up. The soft groan of the engine, coming out of wake for another flight. The loud, short clicks as the pilot flipped switches and pressed buttons. Twitching the corners of her mouth and her eyes, Bastila's mind finally settled on a disturbance in the Force. She frowned as she further explored it's boundaries, not being able to decipher what exactly it was. She could sense the source of the disturbance was located behind her, further into the shuttle. "I should address the strike team, before we launch," said Bastila, masking her suspicion with formality.

"Alright," said Anyara, looking uneasy, and she closely followed Bastila to the main hold where 41 other brave men and women were seated.

The door slid open to Anyara and Bastila, silencing the soldiers and Jedi who were talking. "If I may have your attention?" said Bastila, her voice full of authority. She could now sense the disturbance was indeed being produced from the main hold. She winced as she was hit with a mass of emotions swirling around like a storm that could not be calmed. Perhaps she could not remedy this storm, but she could change the elements and inspire hope instead of doubt. All eyes turned to her, and Bastila took a deep breath.

"As i'm sure you all know, I am Jedi Padawan Bastila Shan and the leader of this mission. All of you have been briefed on the mission and the plan." Bastila spoke in the strong and confident voice of a leader. "Under no circumstances are we to kill Darth Revan. Our purpose is to only subdue and capture him so that the Jedi Council can decide his fate.

The Jedi Padawan could slowly feel each person, each mind in the hold, become extinguished of their doubt and uncertainty of. She would only need a final push. "All thirty five of you have been selected, or have volunteered, for this mission, regardless of the great risks. I...cannot ensure that any of you will survive this mission. But, I can expect that all of you shall defend our good cause to your last dying breath, and give hope to the Republic and the galaxy. I am honoured to serve with you all on this mission. Remember that you fight for freedom, justice and peace." Bastila felt overwhelmed by the sheer confidence and appreciation flowing in waves from her, to her team and back through the Force.

"May the Force be with you." Bastila curtly nodded to her team with a hidden smile as they cheered to her speech, save a few of the Code-stricken Jedi, and left the main hold with Anyara. She only hoped the Force would have mercy on them as the pilot fired up the thrusters.

Bastila opened her comlink channel. "We're ready, Admiral, Masters."

*"May the Force be with you, Padawan Shan."*


Author's Note

so, this was my first fanfic. review and tell me what you think!

*waves hand in front of screen* "you will type in the review box"