Star Wars: Walking the Line
Chapter 6
Revan lay motionless in the Kolto tank. His injuries were really bad. Depressed skull fracture, spine broken in six places, 2 ribs cracked, 6 broken. The prognosis for any normal human would be grim, but the Dark Lord would pull through. Jonlo almost felt Sorry for the Dark Lord. But as soon as the young Shistavanen realized who this broken man truly was, after everything he'd done, any semblance of pity was washed away. Bastilla was wrong. He thought. Revan should be killed.
On the other end of the temple, higher up than medical, Andoa had just returned to his quarters. Michoa was absent yet again. Consulars see more action than Jedi knights, but most of it is purely diplomatic. Andoa made his way to his desk and turned on the communicator. Just as he hoped, Kipcha was on the other end. "We all heard about the strike when Malak came back. He said Revan died! Now Canis can rest peacefully. Thank you."
"You may want to sit down, Kipcha." said Andoa. "Don't tell this to any of the Sith, but We ended up saving Revan." Kipcha was stunned. A look of bewilderment swept over her face like the winds of a tatooine sandstorm.
"You let him LIVE!" she shouted.
"It wasn't my choice to make. Bastilla created force bond between herself and Revan. And now we don't know what to do with him. Maybe you have an idea." Kipcha was just about to speak before Andoa cut her off. "Without killing him."
"It is said that before the Dark Jedi split off from the order, they took with them a terrible knowledge of the mind. The force, so they say, can erase parts of a person's memory or utterly destroy their identity. If there was any jedi who knew how to do this, you could re-train him as a jedi." Kipcha explained.
"I never thought I'd say this to a Sith, I completely agree with you. Farewell, Kipcha. May the force be with you."
"With you as well." With that, Kipcha ended the communication. Just as well. The council was about to convene to determine what Revan's ultimate fate would be. Just as the debates began, Andoa made his proposal to reprogram Revan's mind, making him loyal to the republic. Obviously, the idea was met with much opposition. After all, there was always a clear and present danger of Revan rediscovering his identity.
Just outside the council chamber, Bastilla and Jonlo were passing the time with a friendly game of Pazaak. After all the silence, Bastilla decided to break the ice. "So, How bad were Revan's injuries?"
"Why so concerned, Bastilla?" Asked Jonlo, his tone pressing.
"Me and master Vrook have a bet going that he'll be healed before the council can even decide his fate."
"I'm no doctor," said Jonlo, "But it was bad. He's essentially just meat, tubes, and Mandelorian Iron. Why'd you do it Bastilla? What have you two 'been through together'?"
"Nothing." said Bastilla, her tone becoming defensive.
"Let's see, a secret history together, he called you beautiful in the middle of the strike." Then it hit Jonlo like a ton of bricks. "Holy Bantha Poodoo… You loved him!"
"No. you don't know anything."
"Then why so defensive? Please tell me you didn't…"
"Absolutely not! Get your mind out of the gutter!" shouted Bastilla.
"Please tell me he at least used protection."
"Shut up Jonlo!" Bastill got up and stormed off just as Grandmaster Wisac left the council hearing.
"I kriffing hate these debates." He muttered to himself.
"Not going well I take it?" asked Jonlo, struggling to mimic the innocence of his adolescence.
"I swear there's more clashing opinions here than the Senate. More importantly, what's gotten into Bastilla?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's her time of the month."
"I have a feeling you started it."
"I'm bound by a vow of secrecy and cannot tell a word." said Jonlo. The grandmaster ruffled the Padawan's hair (or at least the fur on top of his head.).
"Stay out of trouble." said Andoa just before he walked off. The next day, the debate had gotten even worse. Everyone was shouting over one another, leaving Bastilla and Jonlo to hear every word. Andoa made a very good point. "He was a very powerful enemy, that much is certain. But, if we could reprogram him to be a more powerful ally, think of the fear he will instill in our enemies!"
Gorkle was next to speak. "Keep in mind, Grandmaster, that his natural strength in the force may eventually heal his mind. It's too great a risk that he'll remember who he is." Then, Atris spoke up.
"Aside from that, the knowledge to do what you ask is a favorite tool of Sith Inquisitors to take in and brainwash new recruits. If we use this technique, is Revan truly able to be redeemed? Is it worth tapping in to that ancient dark knowledge. I say we pull the plug and let Revan's injuries kill him." The other Councilers yelled in agreement until Michoa spoke.
"Have you learned nothing since he got here. Bastilla was doing the right thing when she saved him. No matter what crimes he committed, he does not deserve execution. I think we should give Andoa's suggestion some consideration. The sith have been doing this for years to their own evil ends, but we would be using it to redeem him. We can strip him of his connection to the force, put him with the republic as a simple footsoldier." The council utterly fell silent. Nobody had thought of making Revan a simple footsoldier. Suddenly, the council reached agreement and left the chamber. As usual, Andoa was the last to leave. He turned to address Jonlo and Bastilla.
"It's finally over. Once we heal Revan's wounds, he'll be reprogrammed as a footsoldier for the Republic and transferred onto the Endar Spire. This way, he won't discover his force connection or come back to bite us in the ass." he said.
"I hope not. Were it up to me, he'd be dead." said Jonlo. Andoa looked down disapprovingly. Maybe some additional measures must be taken to keep him on the path of the light and teach him a sense of responsibility.
