Right, so…Kotor. Yeah…my version. Classic Bastila/MaleRevan paring.
Disclaimer: I don't own Knight of the Old Republic or anything Star Wars related.
Here we go!
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"Bastila, duck!" Alexander Stargaze shouted as the Mandalorian raider raised his blaster carbine. The young Jedi acted instantly, dropping to her knees a heartbeat before the air was torn apart by laser charges. Bastila lashed out with her Force powers and knocked the man's legs out from under him. Alexander leapt into the air and landed hard on the Mandalorian's chest, burying the violet blade of his lightsaber deep into his neck. The Mandalorian's head rolled clear of his neck and continued down the grassy hill. Bastila stood and brushed herself off.
"Thanks." She said with a tight grin. Alexander nodded breathlessly and charged the next warrior. He ducked under a vibroblade aimed for his neck and slashed his saber through his attacker's knees. The Mandalorian fell like a fallen tree, a scream of rage on his lips. A burst of heavy laser rounds drew Bastila's attention to the Mandalorian at her side. Canderous's repeating blaster spat bright almost white beams of energy. Two of their Rodian attacks died, their bodies torn to shreds in the crossfire. Bastila felt a wave of savage joy from the Mandalorian and fought back her disgust.
There is no emotion…
"Maybe next time you'll be more attentive in battle." Canderous sneered close to Bastila's ear, "We don't have time to look after the weak." Bastila snapped out of her trance and glared at him.
"Bite me." Bastila shot back. Canderous grinned.
"I don't think your lover boy would like me doing that." Bastila glared at him.
"Do you do anything besides talk?" Bastila asked coldly and moved to help Alexander before he could reply. Alexander ducked under a crackling vibroknife and plunged his saber through the gut of his attacker. With a grunt of effort, he ripped the blade up through the Rodian's ribcage and collar bone. The Rodian collapsed in a heap of green flesh and blood. Alexander lifted the fallen knife with the force and hurled it at the Mandalorian leader. The blade cut through his powered armor and buried itself hilt deep in his leg. The raider ripped the blade free and raised his heavy blaster pistol. Then Bastila was at his side. With a quick swipe of her blade she took the man's head from his shoulders. The Mandalorian's body remained standing for a heartbeat before his knees buckled and he fell to the ground.
"I was going to do that." Alexander whined. Bastila shrugged and smiled at him.
"Don't be ridiculous." She said, "He was about to blast you. Once again I saved your life because you're just too slow." Alexander walked up to her until they were less than a foot apart and stared down at her face.
"Just you wait." He whispered, "I'll show you just how slow and careful I can be." Bastila's lip quivered as she repressed a grin and looked away.
"You're impossible." She said after she caught her breath. Alexander's face lingered near hers for a moment before he walked away to search the still floating speeders the raider's used. Bastila followed him and pressed a button on the side of one of the speeders. With a hiss a small compartment opened and she peered inside. There wasn't much. A few medpacks and strength stimulates. She put them in the pouch on her belt, closed the compartment and put her hands on the speeder to rest. She glanced over at the Jedi next to her. He stood over the body of the fallen Mandalorian leader, examining the energy shield on his wrist. Alexander's soft brown hair billowed gently in the wind. Dantooine's setting sun was behind him, bathing him in golden orange light. The scene reminded Bastila of some epic mural depicting one of the old Heroes of the Republic such as Captain Ventris of the Republic Marines, or the mighty General Hecktor. For a brief moment Bastila wonder if it were not for a twist of fate, would Alexander have his own statues and painting, depicting his handsome features and epic battle zeal?
Alexander looked up from the dead raider as he clipped a silver shield generator to his wrist. His eyes met Bastila's and he walked over to her and sat down on the speeder behind her.
"Not my favorite battle." He said at last and Bastila found herself agreeing with him. Hunting down raiders wasn't how she had hoped to spend the day.
"Bah! That was no battle." Canderous said with a dismissive wave, "When we return to the Ebon Hawk, I'll tell you of the battle on Saltar Prime against your Jedi Revan" Alexander felt a sudden spike of emotion over from Bastila and looked over. She looked up and met his worried gaze easily.
"Sorry." She said with a smile, "There was a spider on my foot." Alexander smiled and rolled his eyes.
"You're such a little cry-baby"
"Oh, shut up! I don't like spiders." Bastila shot back.
"I'll keep that in mind for future pranks." Alexander said with a wink.
Bastila rolled her eyes and began the journey back to the Jedi Enclave. Alexander smiled when he caught a glimpse of amusement in her eyes. Alexander caught himself watching her hips swaying and quickly looked away. He blinked a few times to clear his mind.
"See something you like?" Canderous whispered in his ear. Alexander shot him a fierce look.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Alexander said quickly and followed his Jedi companion. Canderous fell into step next to him and slung his carbine over his shoulder.
"So, tell me, what happened at Saltar Prime was it?"
"Aye." Canderous nodded, "Have you ever heard of the world?" Alexander thought for a moment.
"I think so." He said eventually. Bastila glanced back.
"Should I stop him?" she thought, "It would look suspicious if I do, but he might reveal too much of Revan's past." She decided against it but made a mental note to talk to the Council on what stories Alexander should hear. A bitter taste entered her mouth at the mere thought of the Jedi Council. She looked back at the innocent face of Alexander as Canderous began his story. Bastila smiled to herself. If nothing else he was cute. Bastila sighed; if anyone one deserved to know the truth, it was him. She hated lying to him but the Council had been unanimous in its vote. She only hoped that she had the fortitude to keep lying to him. It was growing difficult to simply look him in the eyes, much less talk to him. Even without their bond, Bastila could feel the power that surrounded him. The air of confidence and absolute certainty that they would succeed in defeat Malek. It was infectious.
"Saltar Prime is a mineral world." Alexander said, drawing Bastila's attention back to the conversation at hand, "Energy crystals, if I'm not mistaken. The Republic uses them in their blaster rifles."
"Correct." Canderous said, "Any laser for that matter couldn't function without the refined crystals minded on Saltar Prime. We thought that if we destroyed their mining colony then the Republic would crumble."
"But Revan knew this." Alexander said. It was not a question.
"Revan knew, and constructed a mighty fortress to protect the colony." Canderous said with a gleam in his eye, "It was the greatest fortress I've ever seen. Adamantium walls hundreds of meters high, brimming with defensive cannons and die-hard Republic commandos."
"Let me guess." Alexander said with a grin, "You went in."
"Revan laid down the challenge and we accepted. We launched a full frontal assault. Legions of Mandalorians marched side-by-side with the largest siege mechs we had. The Battle for Saltar Prime was the largest land-based battle of the entire war."
"And where were you?" Alexander asked, trying to imagine the scale of the battle.
"I led a platoon of elite saboteurs to destroy the energy shield protecting the fortress. As long as the energy shields were up, our siege engines couldn't break the outer walls. We were less than a hundred meters from the walls when the Republic suddenly counter-attacked. A strike force led by Revan himself suddenly cut through the sky on Stormbird drop ships. They landed in the center of our forces, and all unit cohesion was destroyed."
"You saw him?" Bastila cut in, suddenly worried, "You saw Revan?" Alexander noted the concern in her voice and threw her a glance.
"Only from a distance." Canderous confirmed, "My unit was too far ahead of the main battle force." Alexander reached out with the force to a slightly relieved Bastila.
"Hey, you ok?"
"Yes Alex. I'm…I'm fine."
"Bastila, I just want to help. I…I'm worried about you"
"Believe me Alex, I'm fine. Simply tired." Alexander caught her eye and nodded. Something was bothering her, but damned if he knew what it was. He turned his attention back to the veteran Mandalorian but promised that he would talk to Bastila later.
"What was he like?"
"Revan was a whirlwind." Canderous breathed, lost in his memories, "He was a force of nature. Everywhere his blades fell, another Mandalorian died. Dozens of Jedi followed him, tearing the heart from our forces."
"Sounds gruesome." Bastila was slightly relieved to hear the honesty in Alexander's voice.
"War is always gruesome." Canderous said coldly.
"What happened next?"
"My unit made it to the power regulator connecting the energy generators to the shields. It was nothing more that an over-sized power cable running from the fortress to the generators underground. We charged the few men assigned to guard it. I admit I was curious to find that so few stood in our way."
"Perhaps Revan forgot about the cable until too late." Alexander suggested with a shrug.
"Not likely." Canderous said grimly, "The fighting was close and bloody. We dispatched the soldiers with virboblades and pistols. I still remember choking the life from a young Republic soldier."
"You're sick." Bastila spat, disgusted.
"War isn't pretty Princess." Canderous shot back, "We did what we had to do to win."
"Then what?" Alexander asked.
"We placed thermal charges on the cable and the shields surrounding the fortress fell. For the first time in weeks, we could damage it. Our forces surged forward, rolling past Revan's pocket of resistance and into the fortress."
"You took the fortress?"
"Yes, but not in the way we wanted." Canderous said simply, "Revan proved he tactical genius once again. Once inside we found nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing." Canderous confirmed, "There was no inner citadel, and no mining colony. Revan had simply constructed a massive killing field hundreds of square meters wide. The Republic defenders turned their tank-killing cannons on us, blasting whole squads to atoms. Regiments found themselves without cover, at the mercy of the ground shaking defense cannons along the outer walls. Thousands of Mandalorian died before Revan pulled his forces back."
"He retreated?"
"There was no need for him to stick around." Canderous said sadly, "His trap had been sprung and the momentum of his counter-attack had been lost. He made us bleed and die for a worthless fortress. We were left the defeated masters of a smoking, corpse filled field."
"Sounds horrible." Alexander said aghast.
"We were at war." Canderous said, "Revan wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. It was victory at any cost." Alexander nodded and fell silent as the neared the Enclave. A man dressed in simple traveling clothes jogged towards them, a hate filled fire burning in his eyes. Canderous moved past the man and entered the enclave.
"You can go on ahead." Alexander said, "I won't mind." Bastila shook her head and smiled.
"I'd rather be with you than scruffy Mandalorian." Bastila said, "Why do you put up with his terrible war stories?" Alexander thought for a moment. Before he could respond, the man stopped in front of them, breathless.
"Did…did you kill them?" Jon asked. Alexander sighed sadly and Bastila felt a twinge of sympathy for him.
"We did." Alexander confirmed, "All of them." Jon smiled wickedly and whooped with joy. Bastila saw Alexander flinch at such a vulgar celebration of death.
"Oh thank you." Jon said, "Here take this. It's the least I can do to repay you." Alexander held up a hand and shook his head.
"Please don't." He said firmly, "I can't take your money. But I want you to promise me one thing."
"Anything." Alexander placed both hands on Jon's shoulders and looked him in the eyes,
"Let go." He said simply, "Just let go of your hatred. It's over. Your daughter would want you to be happy, not to wallow in rage for the rest of your life." Jon looked shocked but Bastila felt Alexander gently stroking the rage in Jon's heart with his Force powers, slowly easing them away. Jon let out a slow breath and nodded.
"I promise." He said at long last and walked away, a distant look in his eyes. Bastila watched him go then looked back at Alexander. He had a pained look in his eyes.
"Alex?" Bastila whispered, "What's wrong?"
"We…we failed him." He said slowly. Bastila put a hand on his massive shoulder and shook her head.
"That wasn't the way of it. You brought that man peace."
"I shouldn't have had to!" Alexander snapped, suddenly angry, "We failed to protect his family and he paid the price." Bastila moved her hand from his shoulder to his face and gently turned it to face her.
"There was nothing we could do." She said simply, "We were on Taris. You have to let this go. You can't protect the entire Galaxy."
"No one should ever have to burry their child Bastila." Alexander said, "No one should have to suffer like that. I know this shouldn't upset me, but I does. I feel…compelled to save people, to make sure they never suffer. Make sure Carth never suffers, Mission never suffers, Zaalbar never suffers…you never suffer" Bastila smiled and nodded her head.
Bastila looked at him for a moment, studying his face. He was deep in thought, considering what she had told him. His brow was furrowed in concentration, the thin scar on his eyebrow folding upon itself. He could be very sullen and serious at times, but he always managed to fine some humor. Alexander caught her stare and poked her shoulder.
"Hey is there something you want to talk to me about?" he asked, unsure if that would go over well or not.
"Yes, actually. How could you tell?"
"You were staring," he stated bluntly.
He could tell she was taken aback by that answer. "I was not staring! I was merely studying your reactions."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "I think we both know the real reason you were staring at me."
Now she was angry. "I am a Jedi! I would not betray such feelings with an outward display. My interest in you is purely academic."
He was enjoying this immensely. "Interest?"
"Yes, "interest". I would like to know more about you, given our relationship."
"Our relationship? Is that some kind of come on?"
"What – I haven't the slightest idea of what you're talking about. I assure that if I was interested in a romantic liaison, I could come up with something much better than that. Now may I please just ask you some questions?"
Alexander was struggling to suppress the grin that was threatening to break out on his face. "Sure," he said, not the slightest bit uncomfortable with the fact that she was quizzing him.
"Just a few questions, nothing too personal. First, what is your name?"
He stared at her for a few seconds. What was she thinking? "Alexander…" he answered slowly.
"Good. Now, what is your occupation?"
"A soldier, nothing too fancy."
"Where were you born?"
"Deralia, a planet on the Outer Rim."
"And your current age is?"
He smiled mischievously. "3, 012. Healthy living, you know." Bastila rolled her eyes and sighed. "
I can see you won't take this seriously either. We'll continue talking when you decide to quit acting like a boy, and act more like a...man."
"Hey, whoa!" Alexander exclaimed, raising his hands, "I'm sorry but I just don't see the point in all these questions. Wasn't this on my service record?"
"Yes it was." Bastila confirmed, "Actually, I was checking how you responded to my questions. You acted immature."
"Immature?!" Alexander said, hurt. Bastila raised both of her eyebrows, tilted her head slightly and nodded.
"Yeah." Alexander sighed and put a hand to his forehead.
"Look if it means that much to you, I'll…I'll try to work on it." Alexander said honestly, "I promise."
"Thank you." Bastila said and gave him a quick smile. Alexander leaned down close to her, a goofy grin on his face. For a moment Bastila was worried he was going to try to kiss her, but he stopped only a few inches from her face. She gulped and tried to step back but found that she couldn't.
"But Bastila, I want you to know one more thing…" Alexander said smoothly, "Before this quest of ours in over, I'm going to teach you to laugh and you're going to love it." Alexander pulled away, leaving her speechless.
"But first we need to get that stick out of your ass." Alexander grinned, "It's making you all sorts of cranky." Bastila snapped out of her trance and shot him an icy glare.
"I…I don't have a stick..." Bastila saw that he was barely biting back laughter. Well, she wasn't about to let him win. "You know what, no. I'm not going to sink to your bawdy level of humor. You can just get your kicks somewhere else."
"I didn't know you were in to that sort of think." Alexander said, "But hey I don't judge."
"You're impossible." Bastila shot back and walked away. She tried to maintain a pissed off attitude but found it slipping away rapidly. Bastila bit her lip to suppress her smile.
Bastila and Alexander found their friends near the Ebon Hawk, making last minute purchases or rechecking supplies. Carth waved at them as he helped Canderous carry a crate of Medpacks on board. Zaalbar was speaking with a merchant, obviously trying to get a better deal on the blast rifles he was trying to sell. Mission was packing something into a box. Bastila caught the scent of some sort of alcoholic beverage and was about to go scold the young Twi'lek when T3-M4 rolled up to Alexander and beeped.
"Hey little guy, everything ready?"
"Beep beep boop."
"Great. Now get those computer spikes on board and power up the engines." The small astro-droid rolled up the ramp and into the ship.
"Do you really understand what he says?" Bastila asked when she was sure the droid was out of ear-shot.
"Kind of." Alexander confessed," I know 'fronze' usually means bad and 'boop' is usually good. I just play it by ear from there." Bastila laughed slightly. Alexander turned, suddenly aware of a third Force sensitive person in the midst. Bastila followed his gaze and saw the young Cathar, Juhani walking gracefully towards them. She carried a medium sized sack over her shoulder and wore a traveler's cloak over her robes.
"Juhani." Alexander greeted, "I heard from the Council that you've asked to come with us?" Juhani smiled slightly and nodded her head.
"You have shown me what it means to truly be a Jedi." Juhani said sincerely, "I do not know what fate has planned for me, but I think following you may help me."
"Don't you have training to finish here?" Bastila asked.
"No." Juhani said simply, "My…temptation by the Dark Side was the last lesson for me to learn." Alexander glanced at Bastila. Their eyes met and she nodded. Juhani misinterpreted the motion and added, "Please, I will help you in any way I can."
Alexander held up a hand and smiled. "Relax Juhani. You're going to come with us, and you know what? We'll be better off because of it. Welcome aboard." Juhani smiled widely and before anyone could stop her, Juhani embraced Alexander in a fierce hug.
"Thank you, Alexander!" She exclaimed and pulled away. Bastila felt something in the pit of her stomach and blinked.
"We're happy to have you." Alexander said with a smile, "But rule number one: You call me Alex." Juhani grinned slightly and nodded her head.
"I will endeavor to do so…Alex." With that Juhani picked up her bag and walked up the entrance ramp into the Ebon Hawk. Bastila looked at Alexander who shrugged.
"Even with the simplest of words, you can make anyone happy." Bastila said thoughtfully.
"It's a gift." Alexander said with a dismissive wave.
"One that everyone is glad for." Alexander looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Believe me, Bastila." He breathed, "I'm gifted in many other ways." Bastila rolled her eyes and punched him lightly in the shoulder. Alexander smiled back and faked a pained expression.
"Hey yo Alex!" Mission called, "Come help me with this." Bastila saw Mission struggling to haul a crate on board. Alexander walked over and used his powers to lift the box off the ground. He slowly guided the crate into the ship and followed it inside. Bastila rolled her eyes.
"That man…" She thought. She sensed a familiar and not at all pleasant presence approached her.
"Ah, Princess. Glad I caught you." Canderous said, "I prepared you a room across the hall from Alexander's. Just to make it easier for you two." Bastila shot him an icy glare.
"You're a pig."
"Hey, I'm just trying to help you two out." Canderous said with mock hurt, "I've seen the way you look at him."
"Don't be ridiculous." Bastila fought to maintain her composure, "I trust him, that's all."
"Good" Replied the Mandalorian, "Then you won't mind having a room so close to his." Before she could respond, Canderous walked away looking pleased with himself. Bastila flung her arms into the air and groaned. God how she hated that man! Just then Alexander descended the ramp and noticed the look on her face. He walked up behind her and shook his head.
"Canderous?" He asked, already knowing.
"That man! He just…God, he infuriates me!" Bastila sighed and put a finger on her temple. She froze when she felt Alexander's large hands on her shoulders and almost pulled away as they slowly massaged her.
"Come on." He whispered, his breath sending a shiver down her spine, "There is no emotion…" Bastila breathed in slowly and nodded. She put a hand on his and he stopped. Bastila felt oddly disappointed but dismissed the thought quickly.
"Thanks." She managed.
"Any time." Alexander said as he stepped up to her side. Bastila stood for a moment as she shifted through her thoughts. Why was she suddenly sad when he stopped? She shouldn't have been. This wasn't how Jedi were supposed to feel. Bastila dismissed her emotions quickly. She had to concentrate on the journey ahead of them.
Just then Alexander caught sight of Zaalbar motioning to him. Bastila smiled and nodded for him to go. She watched him strode over to the Wookie and the Twi'Lek merchant. Bastila thought for a moment and walked down the incline towards the inner enclave. She walked past the trees of the Serenity Garden and entered the hall of the Council. Just as she though all four members were talking with each other, no doubt about her and Alexander. They stopped as she approached and studied her intently.
"Master Vandar, I have…questions." Bastila began as she bowed before the shorter of the Council members.
"Bastila, should you not be aboard the Ebon Hawk?" Vandar asked, "Were you not to leave this night?"
"We will." Bastila confirmed, "But I have concerns about our mission…"
"You're mission must not fail." Master Zhar put in.
"I guess it's not the mission that concerns me, Master." Bastila said too quickly, "The Mandalorian, Canderous, he keeps telling stories of their war against Revan." The Council stiffened at the mention of the Dark Lord.
"Be careful Bastila." Vandar said, "He must never learn the truth."
"But that's what bothers me!" Bastila exclaimed, "He deserves to know it! He's a good person, and a true servant of the Light."
"Bastila" Master Dorak said, "Never forget that Revan used to be a Jedi. He was a hero before the lure of the Dark Side found him. He m-"
"But to use him this way?!" Bastila cut it, "It's just…wrong. He cares for us, and we're just using him for his power." Dorak laughed bitterly.
"Be honest with yourself." He said sternly, "He doesn't care about us. He cares for you. He trusts you. He will listen to your council. Use that to your advantage." Bastila opened her mouth to counter but saw the cold look in his eyes and stopped.
"Be mindful of your emotions, Bastila. Do not grow too attached to him." Master Zhar ordered. Bastila threw him a glance and nodded. Without any further ceremony, Bastila turned on her heels and marched from the Councils' Chambers.
"Keep him on the right path, Bastila!" Dorak called after her.
"His name is Alexander…" Bastila spat under her breath as she fought to burry her anger. How could they do this to him? How could she do this? And what had Zhar meant? Surely they didn't plan on putting Alexander on trial for his past crimes? The thought was ludicrous. Alexander had proven time and time again that he had effectively turned over a new leaf. He was a new man; a noble, valiant and caring man.
Bastila put her hands in her pockets as she walked through the enclave. Her mind was in turmoil. The Council was pretty clear about what she was supposed to do, but her heart wanted something different. She felt bad about lying to him…pure and simple. Bastila dismissed the emotions quickly. She would have to do as the Council asked, no matter how much she hated it. After all, she was still a Padawan and they were Jedi Masters. Their knowledge of the Force was infinitely superior to hers.
Bastila emerged into the cold air and shivered. The Ebon Hawk was filled with light and she saw Carth in the cockpit, setting a course for Kashyyyk. Alexander stood alone on the ramp, waiting. Bastila stopped at the bottom of the ramp and looked up at him. He smiled at her and extended his hand to her.
"You coming?" Bastila brushed a strand of hair from her eyes and smiled. She nodded and took his hand, allowing him to help her up the ramp and into the warn interior of the Ebon Hawk. Thirty seconds later the ship took off, leaving a bright orange contrail as it shot through the atmosphere.
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
We are not done yet, not by a long shot!
Read and Review
Until next time…