S/N: The quest for the Star Forge is nearing its end yet the Hawkers are about to face the greatest challenge of their journey... what happens when they get there.
"I remember things about tuk'ata and other creatures native to Korriban as they were frequently found elsewhere on other worlds near Sith strongholds during the war with Exar Kun," remarks Jolee.
"Dustil will need to see this if we are to have any chance of convincing him to leave this place for his own safety," says Carth.
"I believe you are right, we should get to that straight away…"
"Now you are talking my language Borden…"
"Dustil…"
"Father…"
"You have to leave this place…"
"Why should I…"
"They killed Selene…"
"You are lying; those beasts out in the Valley got her…"
"These files show otherwise, they are from Wynn's office…'
"Wynn lied to me… how many more deceptions are to come for me…"
"How did you come by this evidence, nobody can just sneak into Wynn's chambers…"
"My friend here is adept at cracking security systems…"
"I felt so upset with you because you were not home when the bombardment happened… I could not find Mother, the house was in ruins, and then the Sith took me in, trained me, called me one of the best since Revan…"
"I would not doubt it considering who my friend here is…"
"You don't mean that guy is…"
"Yes Son, it is…"
"In a way this is an honor, I actually heard many saying that Revan was testing Malak when suggesting how to deal with the defenses of the Outer Rim… some actually say Malak failed by ordering the bombardment… though by that point Malak had already 'killed' Revan so it was a posthumous failure of sorts…"
"I hope that Telos like other worlds devastated by war can eventually recover with help from those willing to commit themselves to such ventures…"
"As do I, but I must remain, try to convince others who think this the only way, that there are other ways to live, especially without being a Sith…"
"You are a very courageous man…"
"I am proud of you Dustil, but as you know no one must know we were ever here…"
"You have my word, I am glad we had this, I think Mother would be happy to see this…"
"Yes she would, I hope we can talk again some day soon after all this is done…"
"Until then the struggle continues… I would ask you to continue looking after my dad."
"I will try, but he handles himself well like you…"
"You really need to be out there earning Prestige if you intend to victor in the Competition, but there is something else I wish to discuss with you in private away from your servants…"
"Your place then…"
***
Yuthura changes into something less academic, less that of a deputy headmistress, and more of a woman, her self-confidence reminds Borden of Bastila all too well. She asks Borden to join her, and so he removes his cloak then climbs into the bed next to her. She is admittedly beautiful in her own right though naturally a concern for Bastila preys on his thoughts. Borden massages Yuthura's lekku, and as if for once truly enjoying something Yuthura's eyes momentarily flicker back to what they were before becoming a Sith.
"You remind me of a great love of mine, she stood up for me when no else would, made decisions and sacrifices that made me question my dedication to my philosophy and my purpose in life…"
"She sounds like a remarkable woman, you must have had quite a pull for passions to have her turn against her natural superiors to do all that, but then maybe the feelings were naturally mutual… I had forgotten what genuine love between two people is like."
"I almost see her in you, no two beautiful women exactly alike, but there are similarities though there are also qualities exclusive to the woman before me…"
"My plan is to ensure that Uthar dies during the final stage of the Competition, a poison to weaken his connection to the Force, and an alliance between you and me…"
"Fortune favors the bold…"
"Exactly…"
"I already put it in place…"
"Then everything is going according to plan…"
"Yuthura is not inherently evil, there is good in her…"
"We should take your word at that; I admit your swing for redemption is something…"
"She has Jedi training though she left them because of perceived inaction against things like slavery, she was a slave, but these are only pieces…"
"I have overheard various students talking about something called Prestige…"
"Tricks for Master Wynn to convince him of their worthiness to become eventual Sith apprentices and more…"
"Several in the Valley of the Tombs, a holocron, a sword, a rogue droid, and a local hermit…"
"Somebody called Jorak Uln…"
"I think it is time to get rolling, we have a lot of ground to cover, given that the final trial is only days away."
***
Borden pulls up his hood, Jolee follows suit while Carth equips a visor to protect his eyes. The trio exits into the stretch of land leading down into the Valley. There are visible signs of excavation underway in the uncovered ruins near the Tombs. The archaeologist met along the way informs them on which previous Sith Lord is buried where, but Bindo notes quietly that Nadd was buried elsewhere.
"What about those caves…" questions Borden.
"Only shyracks and tuk'atas in there… plus rumor has it runaway students are hiding in there…" says Dak Vesser.
"Interesting…" remarks Borden.
"Your funeral acolyte..."
Borden enters the cave first then Carth and Jolee though he mutters something to the effect of I am getting too old for this. Borden tosses blasters to Carth and flicks a pair of lightsabers to Jolee before slipping out his pair. After several rounds of back to back attacks from the caves' feral population, they come across the 'missing' students. Borden offers to clear a path to the alternate exit. A second encounter with a tarentatek is the last thing anyone looks forward to a steep in the dark side cave, but it is taken care a little quicker given the past run in the Shadowlands.
***
"Wynn will never know what really happen to them thanks to you."
"It is good that you are still holding to what you are despite what happen to Bastila…"
"I am doing this for her, for anyone who needs my help…"
"Now back to the Valley of the Dead Guys" chuckles Jolee
"You mean Valley of the Dead Bad Guys" laughs Carth
Borden manages something of a laugh then reclaims everyone's weapons for hiding. The first stop is the Tomb of Marko Ragnos, whose death had caused a great schism between the Sith as they became divided by contrary successors to Ragnos. One of whom is also buried in this Valley, Naga Sadow. Naga Sadow's Tomb is set to be the grounds of the final trial in the Competition. A self replicating army of assault droids occupies much of Ragnos' Tomb. The battle is not even a battle, but a stepping stone for Prestige.
***
"Somehow I think these encounters are getting easier to fend or maybe droids are terrible shots…"
"This is an entirely different Tomb, especially if we are going after Jorak Uln, a former Academy headmaster and a truly twisted one at that, I rather fight droids again…"
"Uln's demise means prestige… wait a second… I recognize this kid… its Mekel…"
"The air is getting a lot thinner all the…"
"I have to…"
"It is amazing how many of you Sith pretenders cannot resist the lure of the Tombs, especially this one, the very one I am forced to spend the remainder of my days because Uthar Wynn decided to take my place, so like Malak when he usurped the mantle from Revan…"
"Treachery is the way of the Sith…"
"How right you are, you learnt Sith history well young man…"
"I have plenty of masters to thank for that and enough living examples of treachery in the ranks. The frequency of schisms in the ranks like after the death of Marko Ragnos. The succession of Naga Sadow by character acts against Ludo Kreesh. The unknown fates of Tulak Hord, one of the greatest weapons masters in Sith history and Ajunta Pall, a true Sith alchemist, his spirit is rumored to haunt his tomb to this day… and so on…"
"You impress me with your knowledge of Sith history, but it will take more that to survive me…"
"You will find I am full of surprises…"
"Your immediate amongst the Sith is a commander and a fine leader. He trusts you and you like him. You see an opportunity to kill him. What do you do?" asks Jorak
"Nothing, like you said he is capable and there is no need to eliminate yet…"
Jorak zaps Borden with Force lightning, he groans slightly remembering the dullness that the ability once brought him, and so another memory fragment returns. Jorak shakes his head in disappointment, and takes a moment to consider his next question. Borden realizes he truly will need the others in order to overcome Jorak.
"And so we come to round two. You come across a group of humans who are threatened by dangerous animals. They plead for help, offering you a reward. What do you do?"
"I assist them, tell them to keep their money…" answers Borden.
"Are you out of your mind boy, you sound like a Jedi!" roars Jorak
"You forget that they come to depend upon you like a shepherd to the flock…"
Jorak strikes him again with Force Lightning, but the effect of it is diminishing with each usage. He looks towards the other captives while contemplating a third question for the clever yet foolish boy he considers Borden to be right now. Borden whispers to Mekel. Mekel whispers back in agreement. The plan is to overcome when the opportunity presents itself.
"Let's see... ah, yes. You discover an aspect of the Force that gives you great power. Do you share it and strengthen the Sith as a whole or keep it yourself?"
"I share it because strength is a necessary for a Sith as it challenges each to find their own method despite knowing the same base practices…"
"Wrong again, so like a fool to say that…"
"Who is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?"
"Never mind, An underling has made a major mistake, which makes you look bad. He has proven himself a competent and skilled follower, so what do you do, kill outright or give him another chance?"
"You already know how I will answer, so this is pointless, this is not a game of questions anymore…"
"My patience wears thin, your death is imminent, and do you pass on your knowledge or use it against your enemies before you die?"
"I will not give you the satisfaction of an answer…"
"Your failure is complete… now you will die for real…"
"Now Mekel, we will defeat him together…"
"What is the meaning of this?"
Borden, Mekel, Carth, and Jolee break through Jorak's defenses, which quickly leads to his death. Mekel looks to Borden realizing something familiar about him at last.
He looks on in wonder knowing that a man that was once Darth Revan had saved his life. He is about to speak, but Borden interrupts him.
"Perhaps this is evidence enough to change your ways while you are still young enough to make something more of yourself than to endure untold amounts of betrayals, deceptions, and more…"
"I shall consider it, but for now I must find a way off Korriban…"
"There are others who would welcome you, the missing students perhaps or Dustil's expanding group that plans to leave the Academy behind as well…"
"Your secret is safe with me…"
"I trust you enough to keep it…"
***
The group exits Hord's Tomb, but not before Borden takes texts kept by Uln all this time. One other Tomb is left besides Ragnos and Hord, which is Ajunta Pall's Tomb. Borden carries the concealed weapons again while Carth and Jolee carry separate stacks of texts. Pall's Tomb is in worse shape than others they have been through so far. A row of inactive defense droids are set up across from the crossing to the sarcophagus chamber. The crossing itself is however blocked by an ancient barricade, which can only be removed by blowing it up.
"We blow that and those droids are liable to start shooting…"
"The bags can be left behind those rocks over there; Jolee, your lightsabers, and Carth cover me with your blasters…"
Borden places a handful of delayed detonation grenades in the theragen obelisk, which shatters a few minutes after he and Carth move back to Jolee's position. The droids predictably come online and start shooting at them. Borden and Jolee traverse the crossing where Borden notices a lever, which he Force pushes with his mind rather than actual physical gesture. Jolee looks equally impressed by such a feat, which is incredibly rare even among Masters of the Order.
"Show off," chuckles Carth.
"Looks no hands," laughs Borden.
"And I thought I had a whacky sense of humor," remarks Jolee.
"Revan…" whispers Ajunta Pall.
"Yes…" answers Borden.
"I knew it was you, not even the Jedi trappings could remove your strength of will, strength in the Force, it leaves an inescapable impression, despite the claims that Malak had killed you, I knew they were all lies…"
"I was told your blade is hidden here…"
"It is, but in order to leave this chamber again you must place the correct one in the hands of that statue, a likeness of me…"
"Any clues about the correct blade…"
"'I am that which grips the heart in fright, Harkens night and silences the light.'
It was written of my sword, long... Long ago," replies Ajunta.
Borden takes his time examining the three blades before deciding on the notched sword, which proves to be correct one. The blade is the extension of the swords man, which neither needs be showing nor telling, only capable of directness in combat. The doors unlock yet the spirit lingers still. Borden approaches Ajunta and whispers something to the spirit, who considers the former Dark Lord's words then the spirit seems to glow before dissipating away. The others look rather confused by what just took place.
"I told him that he suffered enough, that he atoned far longer than the slow death he had while living out his last years, and that redemption is possible if he only begin by forgiving himself despite being unable to forget the things he wrought in life…"
"A remarkable feat to redeem a living being, but one that's been trapped as a ghost in the Valley of the Dark Lords, so where are we going next?"
"It is time to return to the Academy; this trip back here is bringing me full circle with my identity as Darth Revan…"
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
"There is no other way around it Carth…"
"I cannot believe you gave up Pall's blade like that… probably better off cursing someone else just the same though I would not naturally wish it on anyone…"
***
The walk back to the Academy is a grueling one as the sun is bearing down on them in the late afternoon. The night hours come soon enough as they reenter the Academy, Carth and Jolee head towards Borden's room while Borden pays a visit to Uthar. He places the satchel containing the texts before Uthar first. He opens the satchel and Uthar cannot believe his eyes, writings and translations of Jorak Uln.
"I see you dealt with my old master, what else have you done today?"
"The rogue droid is offline, the missing students are 'gone', and that cache of weapons is hidden in a secret compartment of the ship in question…"
"Quite a list there, which certainly tops even notable near though utter failures of Shaardan who brought me Ajunta Pall's blade and Lashowe's dated holocron… I declare you the winner of the Competition… prepare yourself because tomorrow one way or another, you will be taking Yuthura's place as my apprentice or she however unlikely will take mine leaving you to deal with her if you survive when I fail…"
***
"I had a feeling you would win, something about you, a feeling of raw power and sensuality…" says Yuthura seductively.
"The Competition just means I beat the other Potentials, defeating Uthar is another story, though I can see his arrogance will be his undoing as it was Jorak's," responds Borden.
"Tonight we celebrate because by this time tomorrow, I will have ascended and Uthar will have died at our hands…" continues Yuthura.
Yuthura eventually falls asleep with a slight amount of persuasion leaving Borden to return his quarters further down the hallway where Jolee had already fallen asleep though Carth had kept watch waiting for Borden's return. He obviously had something to say from the look on his face so Borden pays his full attention to his comrade, his best friend.
***
"I was under the impression that you were a one woman man my friend…"
"I am, Yuthura, however has a displayed a romantic interest in me, which I have not pursued, I admit flirtations, but my heart belongs to …"
"Yes, I know, she had that look on her face after seeing you tortured by Saul, she had looks on her face whenever you were around or off doing something 'dangerous', I know the looks or looks like the looks from my late wife, from Morgana…"
"I intend to get her back if I can, but I have not felt her in the Force since we left the Leviathan…"
"It is that part that worries you the most about her fate does not it?"
"Yes, I fear she has been killed or worse turned into Malak's new apprentice, the Battle Meditation is a pivotal tipping point in any battle, which was how they got me aboard my flagship two years ago…"
"You remember that now?"
"I had flashes of it after we crashed on Taris, after I got her away from the Vulkars, and not long after that was when the Revan-Malak force echoes came to me vision dreams… I have had flickering nightmares about the conversion methods that I designed…"
"You converted rather than killed Jedi outright…"
"As bizarre as it sounds, it proved a better tactic to convert Jedi than kill them, the plan was literally to militarized the Republic against something else, something worst than the Mandalorians or these pretenders assigned the titles and trappings of the Sith…"
"These Builders who made the Star Maps…"
"The Builders were destroyed as a civilization a long time ago, but relics from their reign as an interstellar power still exist like the Star Forge… something that came in between the Builders and the various Sith factions is still out there…"
"This actually makes sense in the context of the way Revan waged the war as he ignored militarized infrastructure, things that were working were left alone yet unstable ones were eliminated and replaced…"
"Malak has no mind to what he destroys, which was not my way, not while I held the mantle…"
"All the more reason to stop him, but there is something else, the Council knew more about this than they let on to you, to Bastila, and especially to me, no I am not claiming need to know military talk, rather tell only if necessary talk…"
"They had their reasons to be afraid, to sway me and the others from taking the struggle to the source rather than wait for it to come to us…"
"I guess we were more alike on that front than I knew though disagreeing with the military is different than disagreeing with the Council because the Council is less likely to forget though the military forgives until its heroes turn into villains…"
"I did questionable things to 'save' the Republic and more…"
"Whatever happen, whatever you did, the Council did at least one thing right even in having the opportunity to end your life… the amnesia allowed what you always were to reassert itself without the ideology of either side screaming in your ears…"
"Decisions were always difficult no matter what path I took, but it helps to be independent of the trappings yet now I find I am drawn towards being…"
"You have been both, so now you had to pick one again, pick your way, because if Bastila lives, you have another decision to make, the same goes for when we finally catch up with Malak…"
"I know all too well…"
"Remember this crew is with you to the end and beyond…"
"It is why I have come to depend on the kindness of strangers…"
"I think we need to sleep already before anyone else catches us being sentimental…"
***
"You understand the task before you, retrieve the lightsaber, bring it back, and your final trial enters its last phase, the duel…"
"I under, bypass or overcome the defenses, get the weapon, and return for the last bit…"
"We will be waiting for you…"
Decision point ahead between Uthar and Yuthura though the call weighs closer to Yuthura though he could just as easily let the Academy remain in Uthar's hands rather than toss the whole thing into chaos. The consequences prey on his mind as he battles through tarentateks. He effortlessly defeats both in a matter of minutes before retrieving two peculiar grenades dubbed fire and ice. He loops back to the passageway that leads to the lightsaber, which is where the Star Map should be, the recorder is set to upload the data on contact. There is however an acid pool ahead, which requires usage of one of the two grenades found earlier.
***
Revan and Malak visited each of these worlds in the quest to find the Star Forge.
***
The acid freezes over and Borden moves onto the Star Map chamber. It hums to life as the others had done and the recorder downloads the necessary data. He retrieves the lightsaber from its hidden location and takes his time heading back as he witnesses the approach of the Sith rivals. They look towards him awaiting his reaction to their impending duel. They both activate their weapons and look again to him.
"It is time to decide your allegiances boy…"
"Uthar your time is done… I am now the Master…"
"She is right about one thing Uthar, your time is over…"
"You tricked me, something is wrong…"
"The poison emitter has down its work… attack him now!"
Borden engages Uthar using a Jar'Kai stance while Yuthura uses a variant of Makashi. Uthar uses something random due to his inability to focus on the duel without the splitting pains brought on by the poison. In a matter of minutes, Uthar is dead from a combination of delayed poisoning and lightsaber wounds. Yuthura is drunk on the thrill of killing Uthar and moves to attack Borden.
"I cannot say I was not expecting this, but there is another way…"
"Treachery is the way of the Sith, I betrayed Uthar, and naturally you will betray me for the Academy post…"
"I never had any designs on the Academy; I was only here for the Star Map, to find the Star Forge, to get to Malak…"
"Why would you be after either of those things?"
"I was once Darth Revan, I am not lying, my memory was either damaged or suppressed, but I am remembering, several others have already confirmed this concealed evidence…"
"It would seem you could not stay anonymous forever, your destiny, your journey wherever it leads, you are clearly meant for more than the mantle of the Sith or the trappings of Jedi…"
"There is no need for you to endure these cycles of treachery, the waiting for someone to drive the blade through you, it does not necessarily mean returning to the Jedi, the decision if you choose to leave here, is yours alone, I ask this consideration for the sake of who you can be, not who you are or seeing yourself as being…"
"I can see why she loves you, the drive, the intensity, the way your eyes cut to the soul, to the core, maybe it will save you both from the horrors of Malak's last gasps… I never did like him anyway… good luck and may the Force be with you Borden… I shall not forget you or what you did for me or inspired in me all the same…"
"Good luck to you as well Yuthura…"
***
The farewells done, Yuthura departs in secret from the Academy, from Dreshdae, from Korriban, to start anew and to leave Lady Yuthura behind to become just Yuthura again. Uthar's corpse will stay where he fell and the Unity found under the tenure of Uln's leadership is finally swept away. Borden casts off his disguise, he redresses himself in robes he wore from before the Wars, before his reign as the Dark Lord, and moves to face the next part of the circle. Jolee and Carth discard their disguises as well, no use hiding anymore since the remaining numbers of the Academy are on alert.
"Why have you returned alone?" says the first acolyte
"Where is Master Uthar?" shouts the second acolyte
"Wait a minute, these are Jedi, and that is a Republic soldier," concludes a third acolyte.
"You will die!" snarl the acolytes in unison
Borden effortlessly takes each out as his companions watch his flurry of movements. The first groans and collapses from a cut across his chest. The second is thrown into the stone doors of the Academy's rear entrance. The third watches his weapon being pulled from his hands with a thought. Jolee then elbows the third in the stomach and he falls over into the sand. The trio passes through the Academy section by section until all that is left is the silence and the humming of a pair of lightsabers.
***
None in the settlement suspect the muffled violence in the Academy was anymore than a housekeeping thing for the Sith. Jolee mind tricks his way back to the ship while Carth catches up with Dustil in the Dreshdae Cantina. Borden takes an opportunity to make a glass of Deralian Moonlight and wonder if such a drink exists or someone else invented it for a memory. He sips it slowly while having flashes of moments with Bastila, ones from fragmented memories of his youth on Dantooine and others on their travels to find the Star Forge.
However one particular memory that he could never quite place slides into focus. She kneels over him as he is barely keeping conscious and alive though he is glad for her safety even if he were to die here. She however could not allow him to die, not because of the Council's orders, but because some part of her could never truly hate him because of her transforming love for him. Jolee returns and asks to sample the Moonlight.
"You are thinking about all your times with her… some specific, some hazy, but all the same, you wondering can my love for her save her, save me. I am here to tell you it is possible, your feelings are inescapable; I realize there is a taboo and a rule against attachments in the Order. I would only say do not let it affect your love for her because love can save you, save her."
"Thanks, I really needed that as much as I need her, I need friends like Carth, Mission, Zaalbar, Juhani, even you and the droids. Lives intertwined whether we are all in the same hull or light years apart…"
"You could nearly make an old man like me cry with that kind of talk, but cry in a good way because I came to that conclusion when I married Nayama and stuck to it even when she went to the Dark Side. I trust you recall the Desert Bloom phenomenon…"
"Yes, life is like a desert bloom, I cannot remember who said that to me, but I recall it."
"A Jedi historian, a former Master, always would talk about life, the Force, and what not like it could be put even into the smallest appearance wise aspect yet still have meaning."
"Kreia was always good for that… wait she was my Master in the beginning, but then there were many masters since her too."
"Your memories and your feelings do you credit, but remember Malak will not be so inclined to not use your history against you…"
"Another family healing in the works over there…"
"You seem to have a knack for that…"
"Suddenly those weird cryptic sayings in my head now have a name for the voice…"
"Unsaid leads to greater tragedies… a basic Kreia tenet, do not ask me how I know that, but I read enough to pass the time between the Order leaving me and running into an ex-Sith Lord turn Jedi Knight…"
"I think its time to take our leave of this place… Carth…"
"Just a little longer old buddy…"
"Pressing business, epic battle, galaxy at stake, ringing any bells," chuckles Borden.
"How about Dustil tags along for the ride…" remarks Carth.
"I am a good pilot…" continues Dustil.
"We can always use another flyboy in our company…" replies Borden.
The four leave the Cantina after awhile as most of those that Dustil got to are already in the process of arranging or finding ways off Korriban. All the Star Map data is uploaded into the astrogation database, and the navacomputer analyzes the information before rendering its own version of a completed Star Map. The projection correlates exact coordinates, adjusts for possible drift, and overlays the Star Map with the Astrogation Chart. The projection places the Star Forge on the other side of Galaxy beyond charted space.
"We should do some overlays along the way; the fuel will not hold on that long, we practically ran out by the time we made to Manaan from Kashyyyk. Way points are the order of business so decide the most direct route from Korriban to this Star Forge System. Next, somehow the Republic is going to need this information in order to safely jump the Fleet there too."
"First way point will be Kashyyyk, second will be Manaan, third will be Fondor, fourth will be Byss, but after that it is the long jump to the Star Forge System."
After many weeks of jumping from star system to star system, the Ebon Hawk arrives in orbit of Byss, a Core ward planet. The Republic Navy was organizing in an effort to follow Carth's directions to the Star Forge, but an exact jump sequence relies specifically on the Hawk being able to direct them once it made there. The news of the Enclave's destruction was a heavy blow for Juhani as Belaya is listed among the dead or missing. The two were very close in their training years, but as for the Masters, most of them made it off world before the siege on the Enclave.
Some are moving to join Admiral Forn Dodonna's amassing Fleet of capital ships and warships that can be taken out of the skirmishes elsewhere to make best speed for the main target. The defense cordon of the Star Forge is still largely unknown as well, which is why the Hawk is not only the lightship but the recon scout too. The hopes of the Republic's military and what is left of the Jedi Order rests on the shoulders of the Hawk's crew. The refueling at Byss takes some time so the crew decides to get out and stretch for awhile.
"So Canderous, you looking forward to the battle ahead of us?" asks Borden
"You know me, always up for a good brawl besides I have my allegiance to you as well because what we have done and what we will do is worthy of my abilities simply because you and I have history, we are both warriors, the names people will remember long after our lives have ended… we become legends…" replies Canderous.
"Legends, but I am living for today Ordo," chuckles Mission.
"I know kid, I am just a nostalgic Mandalorian who finally feels like he has a direction and purpose again," responds Canderous.
"I know, I feel the same, as much as someone my age can say about her part in the things to come," remarks Mission.
"The big push is ahead of us, we put our lives into this, and so we have found out what we can really do if we give it our all," continues Carth.
"Almost Mandalorian in speak for you Onasi, we will make a warrior out of you yet!"
"I would like to see you try Ordo," laughs Carth.
"At least you have not lost that soldier sense of humor yet," continues Canderous.
"You have all become my family, I know others have been using the word, but the fact is we have been together in this for months, long enough for us to grow closer, to depend on each other, whether it's a clan thing or a fellowship of blades or simply a band of beings traveling the long road together…" says Juhani.
"I will toast to that," replies Jolee.
"I as well," remarks Borden.
The glasses all clink together and everyone gulps down their drinks. Zaalbar makes his usual sounds, and they all take their time getting back to the ship. The board is green and so they take off to find the most direct lane to the Unknown Regions border where the Star Forge System. The Ebon Hawk makes the jump and the Star Forge is waiting for them among other things. The Republic Fleet is on the move while the Sith Fleet getting larger by the day is holding station near the Star Forge.
***
The Star Forge draws its power from the star that it orbits, which doubles as the sun for the Unknown World. The Infinite Empire aka The Builders made things to last except they inevitably lost the ability to power what they created, but the arrival of Revan and Malak years earlier opened a new opportunity. Naturally the pair had other plans for their ancient war machine. Revan saw it as a means to build fleets, mechanized divisions, snub fighters, and so without being costly resource wise. The only question in mind those days after powering the Star Forge through dark side energies was how to account for the eventual man power. The solution to that one was far more questionable than using ancient technology for war machine purposes.
Malak however had discovered that the power went both ways with the Star Forge. Dark side users powered the technology and the Star Forge empowered them through the Force. The Builders had long since lost their connection to the Force. Karath's replacement, Varko, arrives to report Fleet status and Star Forge production statistics. Malak turns around from the medical droid tending to his vocal implants, and this is one of those rare occasions that anyone sees Malak without the jaw cover that hides the old wound. The exact origin is speculated periodically throughout the ranks, but some persist in attributing it to a duel between Revan and Malak where Revan had cut off that part of Malak's face.
"Good news Admiral, now leave me, I have other business…" snarls Malak.
Malak descends to the Forge's equivalent of Combat Information Center where his new apprentice awaits his arrival. It took some time to mold Bandon's replacement, but her weaknesses were easily used against her though he knew for certain Revan would come for her. Her true mission to assure her place as his new apprentice would be to kill Revan, her lover, to prove her Sith status and to assure her place in the eventual hierarchy that would replace the Republic's 'ailing' ruling body.
"Revan is coming, I have felt it, but he will naturally not come alone. You know the people, the crew, the weaknesses you cannot afford, and ultimately the two men you came to depend on the most before admitting how you were used by the Republic, more so by the Jedi Council…"
"Yes Lord Malak, I know, remember too well, and Revan will either join us or die, it is the way of the Sith. As for the others, they are not important, and when the Republic Fleet arrives if your agents were correct about Dodonna's assembly then the Republic will lose much in the coming days."
"See to it Lady Bastila, I have other things to do now…"
"As you wish my Lord," answers Bastila.
Lady Bastila caught a glimpse of somewhat paler complexion in a bulkhead on the way towards one of the Forge's many hangar bays. A flash of her pre-Sith self overcomes her for a moment before she regains 'control' of her sentimentality as Malak had called it. She did not want to kill Revan, but somehow Revan rejoining the Sith was the last thing Malak wanted, she knew that for sure, so planning for the future, she decides to persuade Revan to help her kill Malak. Their love would survive albeit as a dominant-submissive alternating relationship instead of struggling for improbable continuance should the Council discovers their love.
"This is G-Wing 47 requesting clearance for launch," says Bastila over her headset.
"You are cleared, good hunting my Lady," replies the Sith LSO.
***
The G-Wing clears the bay and flies towards the Unknown World or rather Rakata Prime as Malak calls it, whose primary inhabitants are the descendants of the Builders. Her sensors register a contact dropping out of hyperspace at the edge of the system, it's the Ebon Hawk, and she catches herself torn between emotions though the Lady signals the point ship about the Hawk. They acknowledge and dispatch fighters. She recommends they drive it towards the planet as she will deal with its crew personally on the surface. As you wish is becoming a response between everyone these days in the Sith ranks.
"There it is the Star Forge, look at the size of that thing, I hope Dodonna's got enough firepower to bring that thing down she gets here… I am transmitting entry/exit vectors now… we have got incoming fighters, damn someone must have spotted out emergence trail… gunners on the turrets now!"
"I am on it," shout Borden and Canderous.
Carth flies the ship towards the only planet in the system, but then sensors go off again after detecting a disruptor field wreaking havoc with multiple onboard systems including the flight controls and the engines. He tries to angle the ship better on reentry, but the starboard engine goes offline leaving to make an emergency landing on one engine. The fighters break off, but one other signal is heading away from them except towards one of the islands on the planet's endless ocean.
"I am going to follow that one since its heading in the general direction of land down there."
"As long as we are on land, I think we figure out the rest as we go, so it is business as usual."
"You could say that…"
The descent rattles the freighter, and so everyone finds the nearest seat then buckles in if possible. Zaalbar braces himself against a wall in the Main Hold, Jolee slides into the copilot chair, Revan and Canderous are still in turret operator chairs. Juhani and Mission are heading towards the chairs behind Carth and Jolee. HK-47 flops forward onto the floor while T3-M4 slides horizontally into the control stations that compromise of the helm, operations, communications, and so on.
"I have seen better landings than this from you Carth," retorts Mission.
"You try landing a freighter this size on one good engine," snaps Carth.
"Let the man focus okay, we will deal with the damages after," continues Jolee.
"I was only teasing you Carth…"
"I know I am just stressed out with this mess right now…"
***
The Hawk swings around just as it nearly hits the wreck of a Hammerhead class capital ship, which is the same class as the Endar Spire though the Hammerheads have been in service for a long time now. Their design however has become sleeker, quicker, and heavier armaments. The Hawk's landing struts barely make it out as the freighter finally slides along the shore line. A Sith fighter passes by over head, the same one that had led them towards the island when it almost looked as if they were going to hit the endless ocean.
"Who is flying that and how are Sith vessels unaffected by the disruptor field?" questions Carth.
"The pilot is Bastila and the Sith vessels in this system were either modified with Star Forge tech or built by the Star Forge. It is essentially an orbital war machine plant," replies Borden.
"Bastila is alive…" gasps Juhani.
"How did you know?" asks Jolee
"I felt a familiar presence, it is a lingering side effect of a terminated bond, I think," answers Borden.
"Then we have a chance to save her, but saving her is not going to mean much if we cannot get back in orbit without crashing down again… plus we need replacement parts…"
"There are many visible hull wrecks even from here…"
"The Cathar is right, this strange world is a technological graveyard, and I even saw Mandalorian ships out there on the way down…"
"Right, so the plan is find the parts, find the source of the disruptor field, find a way to shut it down, and then we get back into the fight to bring down the Forge…"
"Pretty straightforward, but we are going to have split into teams for this…"
Carth, T3, and Mission concentrate on manageable repairs while Canderous and Zaalbar go out looking for parts though have more than share of run ins with the natives and off worlders marooned here by the disruptor field. Borden, Juhani, and Jolee head towards the ancient Rakatan Temple near the center of the island. However something unexpected occurs, there were Mandalorian survivors from the crashed scout ship. The Jedi trio reluctantly engages them, and Canderous happens along with Zaalbar carrying some of the spare parts.
"I would get those parts back to the ship," says Juhani.
"The Wookiee can manage well enough, I need to examine these dead Mandalorians, proper death rituals," answers Canderous.
"I have to say after everything I am not surprised that even your clans would have a particular custom for the dead."
"Honor their spirits, their lives, and their families so that the whole benefits from their deaths. There is also a right to claim possessions of the dead and this one's armor interests me particularly."
"It would be rather fitting for you to go into battle again in the armor of your culture and people," says Juhani.
"You are right Juhani," replies Canderous in a pleased tone.
"The first time he stopped referring to non-humans by species," says Jolee.
"It is not intentional, but it is my way until I find cause to respect someone enough to use their names instead of their species or profession as a shield against getting too close though I can see by now that is impossible after several months…"
"Quite right, quite right, but I have not been here the entire time, only since Kashyyyk."
"Stop toying with me Bindo!" retorts Canderous
"As you wish Ordo!" chuckles Jolee
Canderous conducts the ritual than claims the armor for his own. He suits up though carries the helmet separately for the time being as he had gotten used to operating without one. Carth's reaction to Canderous' new look is priceless because he like Canderous had rarely seen Mandalorians in armor since the Wars. Borden comes in a short time later to report an energy field protecting the Temple. The Rakata have been periodically attacking, but not the Rakata that Borden remembers from the last time.
"There are separate tribes on this island though fewer than there were last time… three years is not a long time… though I suspect the Black Rakata have something to do with that… however the Elders are definitely unlikely to be pleased with my return…"
"The Elders sound like a better option given your previous experience with them though I think they can be persuaded to see you are not Revan, at least not the Revan they knew."
"However, we have another problem; the Black Rakatans are going to take too kindly to us helping the Elders in anyway…"
"This is bigger than swoop gangs Mission…"
"I know that, it just tends to be the way between two factions in the same space…"
"Both have some idea about running things, but cannot agree beyond that premise…"
"A messenger of sorts has arrived from the Black Rakata, someone called the One is requesting an audience with Lord Revan, apparently they think you are back to finish a job for them… the extermination of the Elders in exchange for access to the Temple once again…"
"They were not the ones that got me in last time, it was the Elders, but for appearances sakes I am going to grant this One, an audience, Juhani and Jolee, I would like you to come along…"
"Why grant them an audience if you are not the Dark Lord anymore?"
"Appearances, plus I need them off our tails when we finally gain access to the Temple."
"You did not answer the question…"
"I am not Darth Revan, the Dark Lord is dead, and there is only the man you know as Borden sharing a mind with memories that belonged to a man named Revan. An asymmetrical sharing of experiences, feelings, and thoughts is who I am, but what I am is something you can decide for yourself…"
"Good to know, I had to be certain, I may not be the Council, but I need to know I can count on the man that restored Freyyr, drove out Czerka, saved the Progenitor, and countless other events you took part in the past few months was not a charade…"
"I may have many labels stuck to me until the day I die, but I tell you this, deceiver and liar does not belong to me."
"Labels are history's calls, not mine, but I consider you an honest man."
The leader called the One summons 'Revan' at last.
"Greetings Lord Revan, we had not been expecting your return though you however failed to terminate the Elders and bring back the requested items yet I however believe you had a purpose to keeping them alive… they had more experience with the Temple's technology than us so you were naturally dependent on them…"
"This was the case, I have come back because part of my original plan has not unfolded as I expected, and my apprentice Malak has usurped control of the Star Forge and my followers from me…"
"Malak was always the less imposing than yourself, he had the things you never had when I first met you, but always lacked the strength of will you still possess, if your new followers are any indication… so what of our old bargain?" says the One
"I intend to meet with the Elders and deal with the situation…"
"If you do not, the next time we meet I will kill you for your betrayal…"
"The next time we meet, it will be the last time…"
The Jedi trio departs under the watchful gaze of the One and Warleader Garn who debate Revan's intentions towards them and the Elders. The three are almost out of sight, but Garn sends scouts to observe Revan and his 'followers' during their handling of the Elders situation. Canderous contacts Borden, and notes that Black Rakata scouts are tailing them, asks for advice on dealing with them.
"They follow us, you follow them, I have a feeling once we exit the Elders settlement, things will get ugly, so then you can kill them, not before, understood?"
"Understood, Ordo out, remember we are not out of this yet."
An electrical based defense field surrounds the Elders' settlement, either standard practice given the hostility of the other tribes or something new since the last visit. The memory is fragmentary at best and slivers at worse when trying to consider the present with the past. Borden pushes it out of mind as an Elder hologram greets him.
"I am here to gain access to the Temple, to genuinely destroy the Star Forge…"
"No tricks this time Revan… the Councilors await you…"
Borden drops all his lightsabers before them and shows them his eyes. The Councilors acknowledge a difference, but they wonder if selflessness this time is anymore genuine than his feign desire to destroy the platform the last time. He asks judge me by my current actions, any task you have I am willing to attempt so he is told to free a captured Elder from the Black Rakata. There is no turning back now if he truly wants to redeem himself in their eyes.
"Genuine repentance requires genuine self-sacrifice…"
"I will be back…"
The Jedi trio departs knowing that the One will throw all his numbers at them, and eventually the Elders. He had been trying for years and twice sought Revan's force potential to achieve this goal as the One's ability to command the Force was somewhat better than other Rakata or the Elders. The Elders only retain the ability to manipulate the field around the Temple, which is a fraction of the power still necessary to manipulate the conduits of the Star Forge.
"Those Black Rakata scouts are dead… they came after me once they spotted me trailing them, but given the disguise they will mistake me for one of the Mandalorians that used to gravitate around the Temple, a short lived benefit for you… I take it you made a deal with the Elders though it will bring you into conflict with the One…"
The Black Rakata react as expected leaving Borden to fight his way through the One's followers in order to the One and his Elder captive. The Elders were already holding Black Rakata captives according to the dying Warleader, but this tribal civil war had been going for so long that both sides could no longer recall what began this mess. It is a not so strange fate for a civilization that once ruled over most of the Galaxy with a technological superiority that was undermined by a possibly engineered plague. Borden considers that using another race's weapon for war and conquest had he merely inherited their doom too. Questions without answers had become a constant companion from the moment he realized he could no longer anything more from the Jedi except to ask how he could leave them forever.
"The wars' end was simply the beginning of another beginning, and what seemed a victory for the Republic was far from it."
Kreia's words echo back through memories half forgotten though she had been proven right in the end when he and Malak came back to reorganize the Republic as a militarized force against the True Sith hiding in the Unknown Regions. However, the ailing Republic like any wounded creature fought with a vengeance not uncommon to the Mandalorians or even the self-made Sith that were once their heroes. Wars made weapons from the people who fought and for some it was like the wars never end that it was only a pendulum swing away from the next conflict. Borden switches off his lightsabers and applies a healing effect to his companions and the injured captive Elder.
The Elder scout thanks him and tells him that the Councilors will hear of this. Borden asks that he speak only the facts, the honesty, no exaggerations, but the Elder scout assures him it be a direct account without too much bias. Borden nods slightly then clips his lightsabers to the underside of his forearms.
A/N 1: Throughout the game multiple instances seem to foreshadow the expected duel between you and Malak. Gadon and Brejik, Czerka and the Sand People, Zaalbar and Chuundar, the struggle for the kolto on Manaan if only to name a few. Also I know I repeatedly mention Kreia even though she does not appear in the first game, but I found her so memorable for she to me is not a villain in the same way as Palpatine/Sidious will be a few thousand years from now in Star Wars continuity.
A/N 2: I decided to eventually have Dustil take along to be kind of the new co-pilot with his dad. As for the Prestige sidequests, I kind of went through them fast in the game. The only ones that interested me in particular were Jorak and Ajunta.
A/N 3: I typically go against Uthar and try to persuade Yuthura to quit the Dark Side, find her own path in life.
A/N 4: I made Bastila into Lady Bastila yet she is never fully committed to the Dark Side despite having felt the 'so-called taint' from you through the bond.
A/N 5: The only time Malak is without the mouth brace is kind of a homage to Empire Strike Back where you briefly see Vader without the helmet from behind.
