Journey to Exile
A Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Fan Fiction
Chapter 1
3965 BBY
JEDI ACADEMY
DANTOOINE
A ruined world filled her vision. Dantooine. She recognized her homeworld with a stab of grief. The Jedi Temple lay in ruins, nearly unrecognizable. Her view shifted and she was inside the once stately walls. The silence here more terrifying than the visions of destruction. Where there should have been chattering, the sounds of training, laughter, any sign of life, there was only the sound of dripping water from the fountain in the central courtyard.
Her vision carried her onward, she entered an open area, the ceiling blasted off, exposed to the elements. Three figures stood against one wall, she recognized them as well. Masters Kavar, Vrook, and Zez-Kai Ell faced a fourth being, identity concealed within a hooded cloak.
In unison the masters raised their hands, drawing on the Force. Confusion overshadowed her grief as she realized their intent, they were cutting the person off from the Force, taking the ability to touch it from them; but this punishment was always reserved for the gravest of offenses, the most dangerous threats. The figure staggered back, collapsing under their combined assault as another cloaked person entered the room.
She knew what would come next, tried in vain to wake up. She watched in mute horror as the fifth being reached out and drained the life from all three masters, leaving a jagged hole in the Force where their presences should have been.
Against her will she felt herself drawn downward, pausing just above Master Kavar. His body rolled over to reveal his face. No! She couldn't watch, not again. She drew back from the Force, disconnecting until she could no longer feel... anything.
Jaelyn screamed, jerking upright. "Lights!" She said, gasping for air, her voice hoarse. Light flooded her sparse quarters, chasing away the shadows and the remnants of the vision. The future is always in motion. She repeated the mantra over and over until the shaking had subsided. Then why do I keep having the exact same vision?
She shook her head, pushing the disturbing thought from her mind and dressed quickly in her Padawan robes. Sleep would not be returning for her tonight. She grabbed her lightsabers and headed for the training room.
She found the large rectangular room was vacant at this late hour, much to her relief. She crossed to the supply closets on the west side, her bare feet noiseless. After a brief moment of consideration, she chose four Marksman-H training remotes in lieu of the lightsaber wielding Combat-Trainer droids.
Quickly adjusting the combat parameters, she directed them to the sixth training area, furthest away from the door. She began the countdown to the training sequence and powered her lightsabers on, adopting an Ataru stance and keeping a wary eye on the spherical remotes as they spread out. Simultaneously the remotes opened fire, putting her immediately on the defensive. She blocked most of the shots with her short lightsaber as she looked for an opening to attack.
Jaelyn ducked, dodging fire from three remotes as she tracked the fourth. She grunted as a shot made it past her defenses, striking her left shoulder, the mild stun bolt temporarily robbing her of its usage. Losing her grip on the short lightsaber, it deactivated when it hit the floor and rolled under one of the benches lining the ring. Cut off from the Force, she was unable to call it back to her hand. She rolled to the side, evading fire as all the remotes released a full spread of blaster bolts. Springing easily off the spongy flooring she swung her lightsaber around, preparing to deactivate one of the training remotes when all four suddenly powered down into standby mode.
Startled, Jaelyn spun and came face to face with the irritated visage of Master Vima Sunrider, daughter of famed Grand Jedi Master Nomi Sunrider. "Master Sunrider! I'm sorry, I didn't notice you'd entered." Her eyes flickered down to the cylinder in Vima's hand, her face burning with embarrassment as she recognized her guard shoto.
Vima shook her head, her brilliant auburn hair catching the light. "Of course you didn't, Padawan Vallore." Jaelyn stiffened at the tone of admonishment in her voice. "Haven't I warned you, on numerous occasions, the dangers of cutting yourself off from the Force?" The Jedi Master held out the lost weapon, disappointment evident in her eyes.
"Yes, Master." Jaelyn inclined her head respectfully, accepting her lightsaber, forcing back her annoyance. She opened herself back up to the Force, carefully removing the walls she had erected within her. She gasped at the sudden onslaught of sensation and emotion, an uncomfortable feeling very much akin to standing on a limb that has "fallen asleep".
"Why do you do this to yourself, Jaelyn? Don't you understand that someday you may not be able to reestablish your connection?"
"Yes, Master. I'm sorry, it won't happen again." She missed Master Kavar. He wouldn't have had to ask why, he would already have known why and been there to comfort her. Thinking of him brought her visions to mind, she worried for him, wondering how he was faring in the skirmishes with the Mandalorians.
"-form I want to show you." Vima adjusted the power setting and ignited her 'saber, gesturing for Jaelyn to do the same. "I see you are proficient in Ataru and have learned the double bladed skills of Jar Kai, not surprising, considering your innate talent and Kavar's training. However, Ataru, like most forms, has its limitations. Shien will help you defend better against blaster fire and the Djem So variation can be used in combat against other lightsaber wielders. She nodded at the inanimate training remotes. "Of course your performance against the remotes would also be improved if you would allow yourself to feel the Force." Vima chastised gently, her lips pulled upward in an amused smile.
Jaelyn shrugged, powering her 'sabers down to training level. "Probably." She admitted, igniting her lightsabers and falling into the Shien stance.
Vima cocked an eyebrow. "You know, Shien?"
Jaelyn shrugged again. "Just the basics. Master Kavar felt that it was important to be able to adequately perform all of the forms and subforms."
"Well, let's see what you can do." Vima said, mirroring Jaelyn's stance and waited for her to strike. The wait was not long. Jaelyn stepped, swinging her right arm, her lightsaber moving in a graceful arc as she moved her guard shoto up in a block position. Vima, as expected, deflected the attack easily and countered with one of her own. Their graceful dance continued with gradually increasing speed and intensity, their bodies moving in a blur of Force enhanced motion.
Jaelyn, though used to the strenuous acrobatics of Ataru found herself struggling to defend against Vima's strong Djem So attacks. Wielding two blades had a distinct disadvantage. Only a one handed grip could be used on each blade, thus making her attacks less powerful and her defense weaker against the strength of a two handed attack. When fighting in the Ataru form Jaelyn was able to make up for the loss of strength with acrobatics and quick movements. The Djem So form, however, was largely made up of power attacks and swings; perfect for a two handed grip on a single blade, not so ideal when using two blades.
Jaelyn soon found herself overwhelmed by the strength of Vima's attacks, she tried to use the Force to bolster her defense but it was not enough. Vima's blade came down on her guard shoto, driving it back against her shoulder, leaving a minor burn. Jaelyn winced and extinguished her 'sabers.
"You learn quickly." Vima acknowledged, clipping her lightsaber to her belt.
Jaelyn raised an eyebrow in disbelief as she reattached her 'sabers to their homes on her utility belt. "Not quickly enough."
Vima shook her head, lightly touching the burn on the younger woman's shoulder, healing it. "Quickly enough. Your technique was nearly flawless until you began to tire. Build up your strength and endurance and you should do just fine." She assured her kindly as they walked from the training room back toward the Padawan quarters. "You'll face your trials in the next few years, have you considered which path you will take?"
Jaelyn shrugged, tamping down her excitement at the prospect of the trials that would elevate her from Padawan, an apprentice, to Jedi Knight. "Eh, probably a Guardian, swordplay and flying are about the only things I'm good at." She grinned ruefully.
Vima smiled ambiguously. "Don't underestimate yourself, Jaelyn. You have time to decide."
SIX MONTHS LATER
DANTOOINE
Revan sat, meditating. The gentle Dantooine breeze teased her silky black mane as she fought to center herself. Every time she reached out to the Force the deaths haunted her. Eight years ago a great stone had been tossed into the calm of the Force as the Mandalorians conquered Cathar, murdering nearly ninety percent of the population. How could the Jedi Council not feel the ripples of horror that echoed still as the Mandalorians continued their conquests and raids of the Rim worlds?
She breathed deeply through her nose, the earthy scent of the pale yellow and lavender grasses calming her. If she was to have any luck convincing the Jedi Council to let her amass an army of Jedi she would have to remain calm, seemingly emotionless. She snorted indelicately. Easier said than done. Hiding her emotions was not one of her strengths.
As she sank once more into the vast ocean of the Force she felt herself being pulled under, drowned in its warm embrace. A bright presence in the Force caught her attention, drew her in, her vision exploding into color as she was pulled along in the current. Images flashed by nearly too fast to comprehend, images of pain and destruction. Abruptly the visions slowed, giving her time to comprehend what she was seeing. A young woman, a Jedi, leading forces into war against the Mandalorians, bent over a workbench looking at schematics, kneeling on the ground clutching her head in pain, and then the visions were plunged into darkness, pain echoing in the nothingness.
Revan opened her eyes, gasping for air, her head pounding. The sky was dark, the visions, though seeming to last only moments, had taken hours. She focused, drawing the Force inward, looking for the cause of the pain. There, she saw the occipital nerves were compressed, the power of the visions had taken a physical toll. She directed the Force, sending waves of healing to the nerves, gently decompressing them, the intense pain ebbing. Revan used her Force healing to bolster her immune system and refresh her stiff limbs. As she was easing out of her meditations, the presence she'd felt earlier during the visions reappeared, beckoning to her once more.
Revan stood, scanning the area, searching for the source of this disturbance. There. She spotted the girl sitting on a rise, leaning against a large Blba tree, the waist high grass nearly obscuring her slight form.
Something inside her urged her to seek this young woman out, a prodding from the Force, as if their futures were inextricably connected. She felt a strange desire to befriend her, even protect her. Revan rose to her feet in one fluid motion and walked out to greet her, trying to decipher what it was about this seemingly innocuous Padawan that brought out these impulses in her.
Jaelyn sensed Revan's approach and stepped forward to meet her. "Jedi Revan." She inclined her head, recognizing the Knight. Most Padawans had heard of Revan, her mastery of the Force and tactics were legendary, as were her frequent disputes with the Council. "I'm Padawan Jaelyn Vallore." She smiled slightly, tucking her unruly hair behind her ears and extending a hand in greeting. "You can call me Jae. What brings you to Dantooine?"
Revan smiled back, grasping her hand firmly, charmed by this young woman's easy manner. "I'm here to address the Council."
"About defending the Rim worlds against the Mandalorians," Jaelyn observed.
Revan raised a well groomed eyebrow. "I see my reputation precedes me. What do you know of the Mandalorian battles?"
"Not much," Jaelyn admitted. "Just that about eight years ago they began invading the Outer Rim Territories and conquering planets, beginning with Cathar. My master, Kavar, left about three months ago to help with relief work and assess the situation. Honestly I feel more than I know."
Revan nodded. "Because everything is intertwined, connected through the Force, when deaths occur we can sense those disturbances. The more catastrophic the event the greater impact it has on the Force, and those of us capable of feeling the Force."
"Do you think you can convince the Council to intervene?"
"I'm going to try. I'll need the support of the Council here if I'm to petition the High Council on Coruscant."
"And if you can't convince them?"
Revan hesitated, considering how much to trust this child. "It has to stop. One way or another the Mandalorians cannot be allowed to continue." Though the council may exile me for it, I will find a way to make it stop.
MAINTENANCE BAY
DANTOOINE ACADEMY
"Fierfek!" Jaelyn cursed as the bolt finally broke, her knuckles rapping painfully on the sublight engine housing.
"Such language, Ace, I'm shocked." Adon chuckled, dodging a hydrospanner. "Give it up and put in a request for one of the new Aurek fighters. Not even you can charm any more maneuverability out of that old Star Saber."
"Like they'd give a three hundred sixty thousand credit starfighter to a Padawan." Jaelyn scoffed, scooting out from under the ship and accepting Adon's proffered hand up.
"They would if you asked. Even if you had graduated from the Drunken Mynock School of Instruction they'd give you one. Just bat those pretty eyes and ask nicely." He grinned wickedly and dodged another flying tool. "Hey! I'm just kidding, Ace. You know you're the best pilot here." He took her calloused hand, kissing the skinned knuckles. "And the most beautiful."
Jaelyn pulled her hand back, rolling her eyes. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Adon." She handed him her hydrospanner. "But getting the rest of those bolts loosened will get you, um, somewhere."
"For you, Jae, I'd do anything." Adon winked, accepting the tool.
"Ugh. Don't joke around like that."
"Who said I was joking?" He reached out to brush at a grease spot on her face.
"Cut it out!" She knocked his hand away with more force than necessary.
"Ow!" Adon rubbed his bruised hand. "Sheesh, Ace, what's your problem."
Jaelyn sighed. "I'm sorry." She sank wearily to the ground, wrapping her arms around her legs, suddenly looking very small and much younger than her fifteen years. "I'm just sick of everyone insinuating that I somehow control and manipulate people. I'm sick of the other students saying I get my way all the time. I'm sick of the masters whispering behind my back that I'm dangerous. It's not fair, Adon, I didn't ask for any of this." She groaned, resting her head on her knees. "Ugh. I sound like a whiny child."
Adon sat beside her, pulling her into a hug. "You don't control people, I have a mind of my own thank you very much! And no one thinks your dangerous except maybe Vrook the Wrinkled. You do get your way 99% of the time, however, I can't argue with that - hey! You said it, not me!" Adon exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder where Jaelyn punched him.
"Thank you, she said picking up the hydrospanner.
"For what?"
"For being you. For pulling me out of my pity party. Now grab another hydrospanner and help me with these bolts."
ARCHIVE ROOM
DANTOOINE ACADEMY
Alek found Revan sitting among the data tapes, data cards, and holocrons on the second floor of the Dantooine Academy Archives. His pulse quickened at the sight of her leaning against the wall, data cards strewn haphazardly about, staring unseeing at the intricate patterns carved into the ceiling. Even with her delicate features set in concentration she was heartbreakingly beautiful.
The sound of his approach snapped Revan out of her reverie, the tension draining from her face as she smiled up at him. She snuggled against him as he sat next to her, placing a hand on the hard planes of his chest, inhaling the scent of him as he drew her into his arms. She sighed. "I've missed you."
Alek chuckled. "We've been apart all of three days, Rev." He kissed her temple. "But I missed you too. What are you studying?" He asked, taking her always cold hands, rubbing them gently to warm them.
"Force bonds."
The dry humor in her voice elicited another chuckle from him. "Force bonds." He repeated. "Why?"
"For the fun of it." She snuggled closer, grateful for the late hour that left the archives all but deserted. "I came across a Jedi on the plains today. A Padawan. I've never felt more drawn to an individual before."
"Should I be jealous?" Alek asked sardonically.
Revan rolled her eyes and continued, "I was thinking this Padawan must have some sort of Force bonding ability. The masters here haven't brought it to her attention which makes me assume there is more to it than an uncanny ability to make friends. I'm trying to see if there has been anything like it before and if there is any way I can shield against it."
"Hmm, well as stimulating as this conversation is, I haven't slept in a real bed in over a week." He yawned for effect, standing and offering a hand up.
"Poor baby!" She teased, leaping lithely to her feet. "Is it past your bedtime?"
Alek tucked an errant strand of her hair behind her ear, his hand traveling gently down her face, coming to rest on her collarbone. "As a matter of fact it is, my dear Revan, not all of us find complete sustenance in the Force, you know." He leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
She relaxed against him, closing her eyes. "That's not true, Alek, I hunger for more than just knowledge of the Force."
Alek drew back, studying her. "Then marry me, Revan." He whispered.
Revan's eyes flew open, startled. "Jedi aren't allowed to marry." She said carefully, judging his reaction.
He placed his hands gently on each side of her face, brushing his lips from her forehead, down her nose, hovering over her mouth. "Jedi are not allowed any of this." He murmured, his breath warm and moist, igniting passion within her.
Revan closed her eyes, fighting against the emotions clouding her mind. "Are you sure this is what you want?" The opinions of the Jedi Council had always mattered more to him, than they did her.
"Yes." The word was barely audible as his mouth descended on hers. Revan gasped at the explosion of emotion. Her shields crumbled under the avalanche, her mind, for the first time, laid bare before him as his was before her. Tears sprang to her eyes at the beauty and intimacy of it. The feelings were indescribable, more powerful than any she'd felt before. Why were the Jedi prohibited this? She knew the doctrines, the philosophies, but it all seemed so petty, so unnecessary. There could be nothing dark in this, nothing wrong.
They drew apart, their foreheads resting against one another as they caught their breath. "Wow." Alek whispered, overcome.
"Wow." Revan agreed, a silly grin spreading across her face.
"I'd definitely face exile for that." He winked at her, taking her hand in his.
"Alek, I'd gladly face exile to be with you."
His face fell as he read the hesitation in her eyes. "But?"
She sighed. "But not when the galaxy is on the brink of destruction. Right now we need the support of the Jedi."
"Fine." Alek grinned, kneeling before her. "Revan Vaetes, after we save the galaxy, will you do me the honor of your hand in marriage?"
"Alek of Quelii," Revan pulled him to his feet, laying her head on his shoulder she turned her face to his ear, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Yes."
MESS HALL
DANTOOINE ACADEMY
"You going to eat that?" Jaelyn gestured to the untouched plate of nerf sausage and scrambled nuna eggs.
Keeda shook her head, pushing her plate toward Jaelyn. "Be my guest." She watched with amusement as Jaelyn devoured the meal. "How you stay thin is a mystery to me." She commented in her thickly accented basic.
Jaelyn shrugged, grinning at the Rodian Jedi. "I burn a lot of calories." She gulped down the rest of her nerf milk. "Want to go to the crystal cave with me later today? I need a new focusing crystal for my shoto."
"Sure, I can go with you after my history lesson with Master Dorak." She suddenly noticed the near empty mess hall and glanced sharply at the wall chrono. "Jactna! Come on, hoo-man, we're late."
"Calm down, google-eyes, that chrono is set a little fast." Jaelyn said affectionately, grabbing their trays and dumping them in the disposal.
"What is the point of setting a chronometer fast?" Keeda queried as she picked up her datapad and cards with her nimble suction tip fingers.
"So we won't be late, of course."
Keeda shook her head. "Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior." They heard raised voices as they passed the Council chambers on their way to the training room for their session with Master Zhar. "I wonder what that's about?"
Probably Revan. "I don't know, Kee, but if we don't get moving we are going to be late.
JEDI ACADEMY
DANTOOINE
"I don't understand how such wise masters can be so foolish. Did they even listen to what we were saying? How can they just ignore what's happening? How many fracking worlds do the Mandos have to devastate before they sit up and take notice?" Alek fumed, his sapphire eyes flashing.
"I was wrong." Revan's quiet musings interrupted his tirade.
"Kriffin' wiz- wait, what do you mean you were wrong?" He stopped abruptly, peering at her furrowed brow. "Wrong about what, Rev?"
Revan shifted her gaze to meet his. "Wrong about why we're here. The Force led me here to find her, Alek, to train her."
"Train who?" He asked, vacillating between amusement and irritation.
"Jaelyn." Revan answered impatiently. "The Padawan I told you about." She paced away from him, her mind churning. "I saw a vision of her, but I wasn't sure what it meant." She turned to face him, her dark chocolate eyes bright with excitement. "We need her, Alek, I've seen it. Only she can defeat the Mandalorians." Revan turned away, staring out over the endless plains. "It is her destiny."
Author's Note: This is a re-upload of my original chapter. I began this story eight years ago and intend to finish it, however slowly ;) I would like to include my original author's note mostly for nostalgic reasons - I've lost touch with all of my fanfic friends. One I know has passed and maybe it's odd but I'd like my words about her preserved. 3 Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Original Author's note: A/N Okay, so this is my humble stab at a Knights of the Old Republic story that has been running amok in my head for months begging to be released. I know the summary is really bad... I'm really really bad at summaries, so if anyone wants to submit a new one... hehe...
Jen DeClan was most gracious in taking the time to beta this ... thing... for me... Thanks, GF! She is an amazing amazing author and if you haven't yet, you simply must check out her stories, especially the Force Unleashed fic she's working on... A Second Chance. If you didn't like the ending to TFU you'll adore her story. And if you did like the ending you'll still adore it... she's just that good.
I also really need to thank PrincessQF, Faithipoo... you are awesome. She has not even watched the Star Wars movies, much less played KOTOR and she was willing to read this... thing... for me. I'm trying to make it make sense for those less um... obsessed with the Star Wars universe than the rest of us... hehe... Anyway. And if you're wondering, I'm trying to make it not obvious what will happen so don't get all... "Um, Spoo', you do know how this ends, right?" on me, okay? 'Cuz I'm trying to be all forshadowy and such... hehe... and I don't want to ruin the surprise for Faithella.
Thanks for reading, enjoy and I totally don't own Star Wars. I'd be so rich if I did... but I don't... so yeah... hmmm...