NOTE to my Readers (I love you and thank you): This chapter is quite a bit shorter than the others. You write so many pages in a notebook, but once typed out it comes out to half a page. There's something wrong with that math, but I digress. This is one of my favorite chapters as it ends with a bit of a twist and gets the rest of the ball rolling for where the story is going. Enjoy.

A year later Admiral Onasi stood on the bridge of his ship.

" All have responded and will be here for the meeting, sir."

" Thank you, ensign." It was time for the annual report and Carth hoped this year it would end better than the last. After the meeting he had met with Mandalore. Halfway through their conversation Mandalore staggered and then fell against the wall gripping his chest. Onasi had thought the older man was having a heart attack. Minutes later as they put him in a kolto tank he was informed that Mira and Disciple were also being put in for a similar occurance. The medical staff was trying to reason with a hysterical Miraluka that she needed some time in the tank as well when the Admiral entered the med bay.

" You must find Atton!"

The Admiral pulled the nurses from Visas. " What is going on?"

" Pain. Darkness. She is gone.... like she never existed. Find Atton, please." Tears flowed down her cheeks from under her hood. Onasi had sent people to find Atton while he coaxed Visas into the kolto tank. She refused until Atton's unconscious body was brought in. She put her hand to his chest and let out a small sigh. He groaned, but then relaxed back into his unconsciouness.

" My life for yours." she whispered as fresh tears appeared and fell onto Atton's hand.

To the Admiral it was all too clear what had happened. Once revived, the ex-scoundrel's sad and hollow eyes only confirmed what Onasi had feared. The Force Bond between the Exile and the rest had been savagely broken. She was dead.

There was a mad scramble to gather forces, but the evil never came and here they continued to wait. Today they would gather and give their annual updates so the status of their growing forces could be recorded.

' How much longer until evil flies out of hyperspace?' Onasi wondered. He couldn't figure out what was worse: being in battle or waiting for it. He was grateful for every extra day they were given, but he felt as if he were just waiting for the death of the galaxy. That dread was worse than anything except not knowing where Revan was or if she would ever return.

" Sir, all the Jedi Masters are in the conference room and are awaiting your arrival."

Suddenly a sensor began beeping loudly.

" Sir, a vessel has dropped out of hyperspace and is requesting clearance to dock. Signature is 7611-32-46DF2. Sir, that's....."

Carth's stomach dropped. " The Exile's ship."

"Yes, sir."

Carth's mind began to buzz. For the first time as Admiral he was at a loss for what to do.

" Order's, sir?"

" Allow it to dock."

" Sir?"

" Allow it to dock, but I want a containment field set up inside the hanger. Inform the Jedi to meet me there and mobilize two squadrons down there as well. High alert."

" Yes, sir."

Jedi and troops stood assembled in the hanger bay. The containment field stretched behind them blocking entrance to the rest of the ship.

" Is it really the ship she left in?" Atton asked again.

" Yes. ID signature confirmed.' Onasi replied.

" Do we know who's in there?"

" Not a strong enough comm link. They were only able to send out a hailing frequency to request docking."

Just then a ship glided slowly and effortlessly through the hanger bay force field. It was indeed the ship Ariane had taken five years earlier. Minutes ticked by like eons as the ship landed, made ready, and then lowered it's ramp.

" Weapons ready, but wait for command."

Five people emerged, dressed fully in light battle armor and all wearing breath masks that hid their faces.

" I sense two females, three males. Three are human, one Iridonian, and one..... unknown. Their thoughts are clouded." Visas whispered to Atton and the Admiral. Atton sensed it as well.

" State you business." Onasi called.

One of them stepped forward. It seemed to stare for a moment at Atton and the other Jedi before it's gaze fixed on Carth.

" I am Admiral Carth Onasi, please state your names and business."

" Admiral?" came a synthesized voice from the mask. " Admiral Onasi we expected a welcome party, but not one so grand. But it is good to see you......" the one who had stepped forward removed it's mask, "... after so long." The crystal clear voice of a familiar woman rang through the hanger bay.

Carth dropped his blaster. " Revan?"