Sitting on the shuttle's black couch, Bastila watched as the ship descended toward the planet. "This doesn't seem like the type of planet where riots would break out," she said to Revan.
He nodded. "I know. It seems so..tranquil. But a complete lack of food usually causes populations to riot, regardless of where they live," he replied.
Bastila soon found out that Revan was right. As the shuttle flew over Theed, she glimpsed angry mobs barely being held back by security forces. The sooner the supplies Revan had brought were delivered, the better.
Before the ship arrived at the Palace, Revan removed his mask, revealing the handsome face underneath. "I think Liana would be more willing to accept my help if my attire was less intimidating," he said. Bastila nodded. In truth, she preferred it when his mask wasn't on.
Wait! Bastila thought to herself. She didn't care either way. She had absolutely no desire to see his face, his handsome face. She couldn't care less if his deep blue eyes were looking at her, or if she could see in them his opinion of her.
Nope, she didn't care at all.
"Remember, Bastila. You are the daughter of an admiral, not a Jedi," Revan reminded her, interrupting her thoughts. Bastila nodded. "I'll remember," she promised.
The shuttle touched down in front of the Palace. "Come, Bastila," Revan said. They stepped outside of the ship and were met by a security officer. He looked at Revan in surprise. "You are Lord Revan?" he asked skeptically. Revan nodded. "Yes. We have come to meet Queen Liana, as was scheduled," he answered.
The officer nodded. "Forgive me, I wasn't expecting...never mind. Follow me," he said, walking towards the Palace. Revan and Bastila followed him up the steps. They were led into a conference room. "This is where Queen Liana usually meets with her advisers. She will be with you shortly," the officer said, leaving.
Bastila looked around. The room was dominated by a large table in the center. Holo-Maps and diagrams were placed on the walls. It was clear that this was an important meeting room.
"Sit down, Bastila," Revan said. He took a seat at one end of the table. Bastila sat beside him.
The door opened, and Queen Liana entered. She had a young, attractive face, but it was obvious she had not had an easy day. She seemed on the verge of exhaustion; her eyes were weary.
Revan stood up, Bastila copied his movement. "Greetings your majesty, it is an honor to meet you in person," Revan said, shaking Liana's hand. Liana nodded. "It is nice to meet you, Lord Revan. I must say you are not what I was expecting," she replied.
Revan smiled. "This is Helena Lazar, the daughter of one of my admirals. She expressed a wish to see your beautiful planet, and I allowed her to accompany me. This is not a problem, I hope," Revan said. Liana shook her head. "Of course not, though I am sorry to say that Naboo has seen far better days."
Revan nodded. "I can help you Liana," he said, sitting down. Bastila and Liana did likewise. "You say you have brought food and medical supplies to this planet, and I believe you, for there would be no reason for you to lie. But I want to know, what do you want in return?"
Revan shrugged. "Nothing. Quite frankly, Naboo has nothing to offer me. You can have my supplies for nothing in return," he said.
Liana crossed her arms. "That is not what I was expecting. Sith Lords never do things out of the goodness of their hearts. I've heard stories about, Lord Revan. The Republic tells me much. If you want us to join your Empire in exchange for your aid, then so be it. Better to give up our principle of neutrality than starve to death," she said.
Revan shook his head. "Claiming Naboo would do nothing for my Empire. The Republic has deceived you, Liana. If you had contact with the worlds in my Empire, you would know that I am not what they claim I am. I wage this war for a higher purpose than to simply gain power," Revan said.
Liana thought to herself for a moment. "If you are truly sincere, than Naboo will gladly accept your aid. The Republic has outright abandoned us. Perhaps I was a bit too hasty in my judgement of you. All I know of you has come from the Republic, maybe I shouldn't be so quick to believe what they tell me," she admitted.
"I wage this war to end the corruption of the Republic. For all they say, the Senate only cares for itself. As you said, they have abandoned you," Revan said.
"I cannot deny that I thought the same when I met the Senate in the past. But I have a feeling that this is not the only reason you are at war," Liana argued.
Revan nodded. "Helena, could you step outside for a moment. This is something you are not ready to know," he told Bastila. She scowled at him. As before, she felt that he was hiding something from her. But she couldn't confront him now. "As you wish," she said.
"It was an honor to meet you, your majesty," Bastila said to Liana. With that, she left the conference room.
Revan turned to Liana. "I can't tell you everything, but there is a threat, a very great threat, that may destroy the Galaxy if I do not stop it. It lurks in the Unknown Regions, waiting for the right time to strike. The Republic is no match for it. I need to take control of the galaxy and prepare it," Revan revealed.
Liana pursed her lips. "I believe you," she said. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling you are telling the truth. If you were as evil as the Republic says, you would be here to conquer, not to help. If you can, begin delivering that food to the surface immediately," she asked.
Revan nodded. "Of course," he replied, turning to the door. Then he thought of something. "I am telling you the truth, but I lied when I said there is nothing you have that I want," he told Liana.
"What do you want?" she asked apprehensively. Revan smiled. Then he told her what he wanted.
"Of course, it's yours," she responded once he had finished. "Thank you, your majesty, it was nice to meet you," he said, shaking her hand. "Likewise," she said. Pleasantries dealt with, Revan left to join Bastila.
Three hours later, Bastila was being escorted back to her cell. This time, instead of soldiers, Revan walked beside her. "Liana has informed me the supplies are being distributed. They seem to be enough to feed Naboo for now," Revan told her.
Bastila smiled. "That was a nice thing you did," she commended. Revan grinned back. "You must be mistaken. I'm the Dark Lord of the Sith. I'm pure evil, remember?" he teased.
Bastila stepped into her cell. "Are you going to tell me what you told Liana?" she asked. Revan's mood grew more somber. "Eventually," he said.
Revan shut the door, leaving Bastila to her thoughts. The Jedi Council was wrong about Revan. He wasn't pure evil, he couldn't be.
She found that she didn't fear him anymore. In fact, she felt almost comfortable in his presence. Though she denied it to herself, Bastila realized that he was actually good company.
She didn't know what to believe anymore. She just didn't know.
A/N: What Revan asked for will be revealed later.