Disclaimer; I don't own Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Prologue

Fire rained down on Telos.

In the armory of her flagship, Revan didn't see it. She had withdrawn, pulled an invisible block around her to shield her from all the pain and rage from the dying citizens below. It was a technique she had picked up early on in her Sith training, a coping mechanism she had no doubt Malak knew of. It seemed that no matter what she tried, she could never embace the dark side as fully as she needed to succeed.

Instead of the battle outside, she found herself thinking of the Mandalorians. She wondered what had happened to the survivors after the war. How many were dying now, trapped on the planet below like a moon is trapped in orbit. How many people below had families rushing to their aid at that very moment? How many were holding their children as they perished?

Revan shook her head, suddenly angry with herself. She was a Sith Lord, for Gods' sake! She should be above these weak emotions, above the pain and pity and regret that besieged her every time she let more planets be destroyed.

This is the only way, she reminded herself. The only way to show them the truth.

Even in her head, the words sounded hollow, forced. The Sith pushed herself to her feet, pacing the room with unbridled fury. Why shouldn't she feel bad? There were no signs that guilt was a bad thing, and it was obviously simple to ignore. Didn't guilt remind her of her purpose? It hadn't slowed her thus far, hadn't impeded her progress. And this was the best course of action, to show the Republic she meant business.

"Shall we call off the attack, master?"

Revan glared at Malak, picking up the pace. "Of course not," she snapped. "I thought you wanted this attack. Continue. Keep going until there's nothing left but ashes."

She could sense Malak's approval as he left, and it sickened her. Was this really the only way? Surely there had to be some other method, some other planet…

A slight tremor shook the ship as the missiles began to fire, and Revan marched into the observation deck, hands clasped behind her back and face cool and impassive. This is the only way, she reminded herself, allowing the Force to flow through her, smothering her in the cries of the dead and dying on the planet below.

And nothing will stop me.