Chapter two:

As they walked the hallways they could feel a mild vibration as the ships engines engaged to leave the planet. They entered the airlift headed to A deck, from there they would walk one of the two slopes that lead up to the bridge. The airlift doors slid open, Mathes noticed something different. The ship was quite, but not only that, Bai was no longer with him.

Soon images appeared in front of him, flames engulfed the walls. Crew members ran down hallways, while Republic troopers guarded the airlift he just walked out of. Explosions could be heard throughout the ship. The captain could be heard on the comm attempting to keep the ship in order. Only seconds passed and the airlift doors blew open. Fragments and debris flew at him, he lifted his arm to protect himself. Some of the troopers were knocked back. As the smoke cleared, footsteps could be heard as a cloaked-black figure stepped out.

Mathes tried to clear-up who it might be, but the cloak hid the figures features very thoroughly. The cloaked figure looked at the troopers before him then the walk-way that lead to the bridge. The Republic officer ordered his men to fire. Just then a red beam ignited at the figures side. He was a Sith Lord, spinning the blade to perry the first few bolts then striking the last two back to their targets. Three troopers were killed instantly. The Sith jumped in the air and summer salted behind the remaining troopers. He sliced through them and unleashed a surge of energy toward three more. They screamed in agony as they were electrocuted to death.

The Republic officer said something to his com link and then drew his vibroblade from his back. He charged the Sith and dodged the bolts of lightning that was shot his way. When he reached the Sith he sliced low, the Sith stepped back and parried the next blow. The two crossed blades for several minutes each maintaining their composer. Toward the end it seemed the officer would win when he caught the Sith off guard and caused him to spin out his attack. The officer blocked the next attack and knocked the lightsaber out of his opponents hand. The Sith stepped back in surprise and the officer made his final assault, but then he stopped mid-way. The blade was stopped and the officer grabbed his throat attempting to breath. He was pushed back hard against the wall. Knocked out cold, the officer layed their on the ground. The Sith reached out for his lightsaber with the force and moved to finish him off.

Just as he was about to kill the officer the bridge door slid open. Seconds later another cloaked figure in armor appeared. The figure was clearly a Jedi from the brown robe. Mathes was shocked to see a mask he recognized all to well. A mask only one person he knew wore, it belonged to Revan. He could not believe his eyes, there in front of him was his old mentor and friend.

Revan ignited his lightsaber, it shown green, the walls around him glowed with it's color. The Sith focused his full attention on this new threat. The two ran at each other, when they met do to did their blades. They jumped and sliced at each other, both showing great acrobatic techniques. The battle seemed it would go on forever, but it seemed Revan had other plans. Seeing a gap in his opponents defenses he quickly blocked the next attack and sliced away at the next. The Sith's blade flew out leaving him open, then his body lurched backward as Revan made a backward stab through his lower torso. Revan pulled his blade foreword and the Sith slumped to the floor, then fell face first.

The battle was over and Revan looked in Mathes' direction. Mathes tensed and wondered if Revan recognized him, but instead Revan wasn't looking at him but the battle taking place at the other end of the hallway. He reached out for the Sith's lightsaber and ignited it. Then he walked over to the officer to check his life signs. He was alive but badly hurt. Knowing he could do nothing at the moment, Revan left him and joined the next fight. Mathes looked on as the red and green beams left down the hallway.

Suddenly, he awoke Bai was next to him. She was sitting down on the bench her head on his shoulder. Looking around he could determine that they were in the observation room near the bridge. Mathes looked out the window, this time stars could be seen and the dark emptiness of space. Just then the doors slid open and two men stepped through. The first man wore a Captains uniform, with the typical red and gold colors of the Republic navy. The second man was about the same size as Mathes. He wore light military armor which bore the Republic emblem on the chest. The armor was slightly worn and had a distinctive cut across it from the lower torso up to the shoulder. When Mathes saw this he knew all to well who the second man was.

"Carth Onasi...it's been far to long old friend."

"It's Admiral now and it's good to see you to Mathes."

"It's master now", he responded.

Carth laughed at the comment and looked at Bai as she continued to rest on Mathes shoulder. "I see you brought along some help..wasn't expecting her to come along to be honest." Mathes shrugged and sighed, "believe me I didn't either but I was overruled greatly." Carth laughed again and shook his head, "she has you on a tight collar doesn't she?"

Mathes knew what he was getting at but he wasn't going to get into his personal life. He rolled his eyes and laid Bai down on the bench. "So who do we have to thank for the nice accommodations." "That would be me master," answered the man in the Captains uniform. "I'm Captain Gyred, I had my room prepared for you before you arrived. It seemed a suitable place for two of the galaxies greatest heroes." He saluted and smiled at Mathes. He was grateful to the Captains sacrifice, but he hardly agreed with the hero comment. All he and Bai had done was fulfill the duties of the Jedi code by defending the Republic. If anyone deserved the title of hero it was Meetra and above all his old mentor Revan. Both had lead the fight against the Sith who threatened to bring an end to the Jedi and turn the Republic into a galactic empire.

Sensing Mathes was feeling uncomfortable Carth cut in. "So I'm assuming your aware of the mission and all that wonderful stuff?" Revan smiled at Carth in relief for changing the subject. "Yes the council informed me of everything, though the possibility of him being alive is very slim...," he paused. Carth. frowned and looked at the floor.

"It has been over 50 years..I'm surprised I'm still alive."

"The force is capable of doing many things Carth, extension of life is one of them."

Mathes knew Carth was right, 50 years was a long time and the fact they lived was astounding. Both the two of them and Bai were as old as the council members, but their age did not show. "do you think being at Malachor has anything to do with this?," Carth asked. "It's a possibility but can't be for certain. Whats worse is it was destroyed by Meetra along with all records held within that dark place."

Mathes thought about it realizing that with Malachors destruction any information they sought about the past was lost with it. Now they could only go on memories and those were torture. The two of them stared into space stuck in past. The Captain stood watching them awkwardly. The moment went on for a few more minutes when he finally cleared his thought loud enough so they could here him. Carth and Mathes looked up blankly, realizing they had lost themselves in the events of the past.

"Apologies admiral..master but we should really focus on the mission at hand, in the now, if you get me."

"Yes, you have a point Captain. Has the ship set a course for the unchartered sector?," Mathes asked.

"Aye master we are headed there now, should be there within the next 4 days."

"That's good timing indeed, again thank you for the accommodations Captain. I can't thank you enough for your sacrifice."

"Again it is my pleasure master, if you will excuse my i must get to the bridge."

The Captain saluted once more and exited the room. Mathes walked back over to Bai, she was still sleeping quietly. He couldn't help but smile at her, just her presence and knowing she was there with him gave him great ease and comfort. Carth walked over to them but kept a respectable distance. He knew all to well what Mathes was going through. He wished his wife and child were there as well. He missed them greatly and not a moment went by that he never thought of them. Carth waited while Mathes looked on at his wife. He didn't blame him, if his wife were here he would do the same. A few minutes passed and Mathes stood up and turned back to Carth.

"I never asked how your family was.."

Carth wasn't expecting the question and it caught him off guard. "Well..I saw them three months ago, they were doing fine then. I'm sure they still are, my daughter has grown since the last time I saw he." Mathes frowned, he knew Carth had left his family to fight in the Mandalorian wars with Revan. That war last four years, soon after came the Jedi civil war adding two more on top of that.

"I'm glad to hear they are alright, I never met them but from all you've told me they sound like a wonderful family." They smiled and nodded at one another. "I don't know about you..but I could use a drink. Want to go to the lounge on C deck?"

Mathes laughed and nodded his head in agreement. "A drink sounds like a great idea, just let me take Bai to the room." Mathes gently picked up Bai with his arms and cradled her as she slept quietly. Carth walked ahead having the doors slide open before Mathes got to them. It didn't take long to reach their room and he laid her on the bed. Before leaving he kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek.

"Sweet dreams Bai..I love you." He walked over to Carth who was standing quietly by the doors. He nodded at Mathes and signaled for him to lead the way.