Disclaimer: i don't own KotOR, BioWare does...but i wish i did
Whispered words had spread like wildfire among the padawans and knights. The famous Jedi, the Revanchist, was looking for more followers. A few Jedi were springing at the opportunity to accept him as their new leader, and master. The truth of the massacre of the Cathar people brought an amount of unrest between the Council and some Jedi. These few Jedi were compelled to engage in and end the war. They believed they would fight to save the galaxy from a threat. The Council believed it would only be a waste of time and energy.
Bastila was torn in two.To her frustration, she felt a certain allure to join the Revanchists, a group driven by their hate for this war, and the desire to end it. But she knew that this rebellion was not the way of the Jedi, or the Council. And she also knew that her greatest goal was to become a Jedi Master, one of the highest ranks of the Jedi Order.
The Council held high expectations for her, especially because of her famed Battle Meditation. She had to side with the Jedi, or what would happen to her future? Her pride?.
So when the time came; when Revan came, she hesitated.
Her eyes flickered open and surveyed their blurry surroundings. At last, their vision cleared and was met with blinding colours flying overhead. Bastila grunted and made to push herself up, but she was roughly shoved down again. She heard Anyara's voice shout, "Get down!" The Force came back to Bastila and with it she sensed the raw conflict that she was amidst. The boarding. It whispered to her, awaking her. The boarding.
With a gasp she shot up, much to the dissent of Anyara, who tried to shove her down again. Seeing her strike team spread out and occupied, she blinked out the tiredness from her eyes. Her hand flew to her belt and met...nothing. "Where is my lightsaber?" she demanded. When she didn't receive a reply, she panicked. Where is it? Where is it? WHERE IS IT? She couldn't have lost her lightsaber! "Anyara, where in the galaxy is my lightsaber!"
As her eyes began to quickly scan the floor for a glint of metal, Bastila felt a cold, light-weight lump land on her thighs.
"It rolled under your seat. Don't lose it again," said Anyara. Anyara kept her eyes focused on the battle ahead, deflecting incoming blaster bolts with merely a wave of her hand and a blur of indigo.
Bastila sputtered. "I-I didn't lose...oh, nevermind..." Seeing that there was no use reputing, Bastila ignited her yellow double blades and force leapt into the battle. The blades hummed with energy as they passed through the air. Bastila landed firmly on her feet, slicing an assault droid in half as she did. Then she charged.
The battle continued on, and Bastila was only aware of her lightsaber and her targets. She cut them all down with ferocity and speed, undefeated. She finished cutting down a squad of Sith droids, and was about to join Odis up ahead when her elbow joint suddenly stiffened, as if stuck in place with glue. The feeling coursed around her entire body until she found she couldn't move a muscle. A binding force was encasing her tightly on the spot. Someone was using the Force to stasis her, she realised with horror.
"The Dark Lord Revan will be most displeased with you attempting to board his flagship. " A Dark Jedi appeared in front of Bastila, a ready lightsaber hilt in her hand. Her sinister hood revealed only cold sickly yellow eyes, a sign of corruption by the Dark Side. "I suspect that after I kill you for the disturbance you've caused, he will reward me greatly." She ignited her blood-red lightsaber, and Bastila stood still frozen in stasis, unable to defend herself. The red saber was raised, aiming directly at Bastila's heart.
In all her life, Bastila Shan never thought that she would die like this. Her death was supposed to be a noble one. One in which she fought back to her dying breath and fell with dignity. Here, she was frozen and restrained from even movement. Here, she was weak, defenseless, and vulnerable.
"Time to die, Jedi."
Bastila braced herself for the searing pain and the emptiness that was sure to come. Her senses dulled and she was aware of only her helpless position...
Out of nowhere, she heard a distinct hum of energy and saw a green lightsaber blade protruding out of the Dark Jedi's chest. She bent over and gasped in pain, before collapsing to the metal floors, dead. Bastila felt the stasis break, and she dropped to the floor upon release, breathless. She had been so close to dying a shameful death. So close to losing everything she striven for. She shifted her glance up to a tall, dark eyed Jedi whom Bastila recognised as Koren.
She breathed out a word of thanks.
"Can't have our Commander die on us today," Koren muttered with a hint of sarcasm. "Up you come. You've got a team to lead." He held out a hand, which Bastila took to pull herself up. Suddenly she felt so tired, and almost collapsed. Other than exhaustion, she had suffered a few cuts and bruises, a broken comlink and tangled hair from the battle. Bastila replenished her strength with a stamina package from her utility belt, and almost instantaneously felt as energetic as she could be. She simply could have used the Force to heal her, but now was not a good time to waste Force energy.
Bastila took a quick look around the remains of a victorious battle. It seemed that most of the strike team had survived, including Anyara and Odis. But death was everywhere in the hangar. Corpses were strewn on the floor, decorated with cauterized wounds and blaster marks. Bastila shuddered at the sight, because she knew - especially after her near-death experience - that there was only more of that to come.
Bastila nudged a deactivated droid with her foot as she passed, heading for the nearby computer terminal at the hangar exit. She shouted with the strongest voice she could manage, "Strike team! Rally to me!"
Anyara joined Bastila and spoke breathlessly. "You know, this was only the warm up battle." They both watched the remaining 39 people of their team run past them and regroup.
"I know."
"Then, Bastila, try not to charge head on into battles and wasting energy. Please. You need to reserve what little you have for our confrontation with Revan."
Bastila gritted her teeth and brushed away strands of hair. She jogged to the computer terminal and downloaded the area schematics. After her eyes skimmed the information on her datapad, they averted to a group of four snipers. "You four, take out the wing surveillance within a hundred metres. We're taking the bridge through there."
"Yes, Commander."
Bastila looked to the others. "Everyone else, we'll follow and meet any resistance that Revan calls upon us."
She motioned Anyara and a few other Jedi to join her at the lead of the team. They advanced forward, and scurried silently to the wing. There was no doubt that more of Revan's forces were waiting for them, but Bastila did not see the reason to alarm them early. A few minutes passed by of tense silence, but for light footsteps and quiet erratic breathing. Bastila's eyes scanned the walls for enemies, but saw none. Another minute passed by and she decided it was too quiet...
She jumped when Anyara pst at her. "Bastila, were you even listening to me earlier, in the hangar? About what I said...I know it seems like-"
"Don't," hissed Bastila. "Please. Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't do."
"I was only trying to-"
"I have had enough of others controlling me! Telling me what I have to do and what is right and wrong!"
"...Join us! Join the Revanchists! My followers and I stand for a noble cause: to support the Republic and win this war. I know that you all have been raised to believe that the Jedi Council knows what is right and wrong, but that is an idle excuse to stand by and watch evil take over the galaxy. We must eliminate the threat that lies in front of our eyes right here, and now!" One would expect a voice to be muffled and inaudible behind the purple and magenta mask, but no, Revan's voice rang loud and clear. His words flowed with a sense of charisma and seduction that Bastila felt settle in her mind. It was drawing her towards him, much to her despise.
He stood at the centre of the courtyard, visible in front of all Jedi that were stationed at the enclave, including the Dantooine council. The rest of the Revanchists stood behind, and his best friend Alek was at his side, brooding. Bastila was beside the council, hoping that she would pass by the Revanchists as just another code-stricken Jedi padawan, glued stuck to the council's decisions.
"And so I ask again," continued Revan. "Will you join me?"
Silence, then..."I will!" A human female Jedi walked up. She was dressed in the simple brown robes of a padawan, her face framed with cropped dark blonde hair. "My informal master, Master Kavar, would never have let innocents suffer, and do nothing about it. I, likewise, refuse to let this be brought upon the Republic." It was then that Bastila realised who the woman was.
Meetra Surik.
She had heard about her, mainly from the other padawans. Rumour had it that she could sever one's connection to the Force. The prospect of this frightened Bastila, for she knew that anything was possible with the will of the Force. The thought of one's power and harmony with the Force being stripped away was...overwhelming, especially if the victim were a Jedi. Bastila narrowed her eyes. Rumours or not, she felt uneasy towards Surik.
As Surik shook Alek's hand and went to join the Revanchists, Bastila could fell Revan's eyes poring over her. The mask hid sight of where his eyes were truely focused, but she knew. Bastila knew what would come next.
"Bastila Shan, the famed battle meditator" Revan said. Bastila suddenly felt all eyes turn to her and shifted uncomfortably. Revan paused, probably for dramatic effect, which nearly caused her to roll her eyes to heaven. "Join us, Bastila. Together, the Revanchists will be able to stop this war with your Battle Meditation! The Republic would be victorious!"
She took a step forward, eyes unwavering from Revan's mask. She could not restrain herself. Her battle meditation could help the Revanchists save lives in the war effort. She could end this war. And then...she hesitated in her steps.
"Bastila," hissed Master Dorak. She turned to face him with unsure eyes. "Don't. Do not defy the Council. You have much more training and potential ahead of you! Don't throw it away on some rebellion."
Her heart beat quickened, and she whipped her head back to Revan, who was waiting patiently, as if he was sure she would join his path. Bastila stood, frozen. The other masters looked at her expectantly. Ahead of her lay two life-changing paths. If she defied the Council, her life as a Jedi was over and done. She hadn't even finished her padawan training yet! How would she be able to become the best Jedi she could possibly be by joining the Revanchists?
But the war effort needs you. The Republic needs you.
Master Vrook tilted his chin up, upholding a sense of power and authority over the young, reckless padawan that stood in front of his eyes. "Bastila, come. Don't you dare join that fool, Revan."
And before she could stop herself, she said in a low voice, "I won't join the Revanchists, Revan." She walked back to the Council's side, and tried very hard to concentrate on the dead leaf fluttering in the wind. Anything to take the mind off of what she had done; defying her heart and obeying a group of old men.
The Council always knows what's best..., she thought reluctantly, still staring at the leaf.
Master Dorak smiled at her, but it didn't seem warm and bright at all. It was a smile of relief. "You did what was right, Bastila."
She paid a nervous glance to him, wondering whether she regretted the decision she had made.
You mean, I did what you wanted.
Anyara stared at Bastila blankly for a moment, then, with widened eyes, gasped. "Incoming grenade!"
Bastila cursed. She'd been too loud, and in doing so, had revealed their position. How could she had been so reckless and arrogant? "Scatter!"
The grenade flew in the air and Bastila quickly took cover with Anyara.
"Bastila! Do you hear yourself?" shouted Anyara over a loud explosion. "You make it sound like the Jedi don't care! Remember what I said about the Dark Side that lies in this place!"
Bastila shook her head. No, this wasn't the Dark Side, this was the harsh truth. "You don't understand, the Dark Side does not influence my words. The Jedi are holding me back because of my potential! The Council act like I am just a dangerous, restricted tool they need to keep a close eye on!" she retorted.
"The Jedi are only trying to help you and the galaxy!"
When the deadly sonic blast diminished, Bastila ignited her lightsaber and emerged. "I know, but it doesn't mean they aren't blind." And Bastila did know. However, her loathing feelings could not be ignored. They were always there in the back of her mind, dormant, and could break out at the slightest trigger like a torrent.
Anyara glanced at Bastila with...pity? "I'll-I"ll see you when the wave's over; if we both survive this."
Bastila nodded, and watched Anyara Force stasis a group of Sith troopers before engaging in the battle herself. Bastila stunned incoming assault droids and hurled another at a Sith trooper with the Force. The rest of the strike team were spread, covering all enemies whilst still making progress to the bridge.
After the droids were deactivated, Bastila occupied herself by joining Koren and two other Jedi, Jon and Laska, who were facing five Dark Jedi Acolytes.
"This should be fun," said Jon. He then charged forward with his blue lightsaber and hacked at one of the acolytes with surprising speed. Bastila and the others followed suit.
Bastila spun her blades at a charging dark acolyte, and he in turn tried to land an overhead cut. The surrounding battle becamse blurred lines, and only she and the dark acolyte existed. As they fought, Bastila studied the flow of movements between the two fighters. She recognised that the acolyte's technique was sloppy, but focused on his ferocious strength. He continued to place blow after blow, each off target or parried by Bastila. She could sense his strength weakening and returned with her own blows, targeting the weak defense of his single bladed lightsaber.
He clumsily brought his saber up to block, and the two enemies found themselves in a lightsaber lock. They held the tense position for seconds, none daring to back down. Bastila quivered under the pressure. She stepped forward to give her some more leverage. Then, with a desperate gasp, she brought her lightsaber down with all her might, breaking the blade lock and startling the acolyte. Then she leapt while striking from above. The acolyte easily parried the aerial attack and sneered. He turned, only to feel the burning pain of a lightsaber to the gut. The dark acolyte gasped sharply in pain and shock. He fell to the floor and curled his body around the wound. Then a cascade of screams came.
Bastila wiped sweat off her brow and pulled out her blade, only to raise it again. The acolyte was doomed to die. He had no strength to heal himself with the Dark Side. She adjusted her grip on her lightsaber hilt, hands sweating and slipping from the warm metal. She looked down at the person she now held so much power over, basked in adrenaline and success. She looked down in pity, and disgust.
The acolyte had extinguished his screaming, too weak to make a loud sound. He instead reduced to wheezing in pain. "Please...," he croaked from his bloody mouth.
Bastila stared into the man's yellow, sorrowful eyes. She shook with effort not to let her lightsaber sink into the man's neck. He was pleading for his life...what was she to do?
Maybe I can redeem him-WAIT, NO! This man is a Sith! The Sith must be defeated in order for light to reign the galaxy. You cannot save him now, it is too late. This is just some Sith trick!
What would a Jedi do? Bastila wasn't sure what the answer to that was.
With a deep breath, Bastila let her lightsaber blade fall and pierce the acolytes neck. It was a clean kill; no blood, no screams. But there was that nipping sense of guilt that Bastila felt, even though she had slain many Sith before with ease. It was undeniable.
This had been her own decision to kill the Sith, a Sith that had begged for their life. And for once, she did not embrace the prospect of choice.
Author's Note:
the FIRST time that Bastila loses her lightsaber under her seat ;).
ahem, right, so, this was my attempt at writing 'action'-something which i'm inexperienced at. however, i HAVE focused more on Bastila's angst in this chapter than the actual mission, and dwell deeper into her thoughts and mindset than other chapters.
as always, leave a review and tell me what you think!