Warning this book has some shounen-ai in it
Coincidences
Chapter 9: Conflict Increases
They exited hyperspace and the lights flickered back on as well as the other systems as Revan took the controls. The planet before them had millions of lights scattered across it. They would be landing on the night side of the planet where she would set up an emergency meeting with the Supreme Chancellor.
Despite the fact they were there she didn't start for the planet, she was waiting for docking instructions. Prior to arrival she had sent a message that they would be arriving in a few minutes. Now all she had to do was wait; however, this wait felt as if it would take forever.
"Docking platform four is free, Master Jedi," a voice came over the comm. "You may precede."
"Thank you," she replied as she angled the ship towards the planet. From here on out she would be in the world of politics. A world she could live with however much she didn't like it. Though it was better to send her than Malak, he would sooner put his blade through a senator's heart than put up with their delays in decisions. If he thought the council was bad, the senate was far, far worse.
Back in his seat, Link didn't even stir at the sound of Revan's voice, his breathing deep and even. Next to Link, Marth stopped his meditation, opened his eyes and looked out at Coruscant.
Revan made a few adjustments to the controls and the shuttle began to slow as they neared a platform lit by many lights so that pilots would be able to see them. The landing was smooth, far more so than the last one even though she knew many of the systems had been compromised by the stunt she pulled with it.
Standing, she turned to the others. Both Malak and Marth had come out of their meditation; however, Link was still asleep. "Wake him so we may move to the rooms prepared for us," she told Marth as she pressed the button, lowering the ramp.
Turning to Link, Marth grabbed him by the shoulder and gently shook him, "Hey Link, we're here. We need to get off the shuttle."
Groggily, Link opened his eyes before giving Marth a glazed look. Marth squeezed his shoulder and repeated, "We need to get off the ship."
Link stared at Marth, blinked then nodded, slowly pushing himself up out of the chair. Copying him, Marth stood as well then as softly as he could he steered Link by his shoulders behind Malak and Revan as they left the ship.
Revan's eyes narrowed as she sensed several people heading their way, within seconds an extravagantly dressed, male, red skinned twi'lek came into view. He was followed by an assortment of humans and aliens all of whom where dressed in a similar fashion. "Ah, Master Revan—" the twi'lek smiled at her as he stopped before her, "—it is wonderful to see you again. Though, on such short notice…" he left his sentence hanging.
"It is good to see you again, Supreme Chancellor," she bowed her head to him. "There is much to discuss." They started off, she and the chancellor in the lead, heading for the transport at the edge of the landing platform.
"I am sure, but it will have to wait until morning. Your group looks as if they could do with some rest," he glanced back at Link, Marth, and Malak. Malak was watching the chancellor closely.
"Indeed, I appreciate your support, sir," her reply was formal. This was one contact she could not afford to antagonize.
Leaning forward, Marth quietly whispered into Link's ear, "You hear that? They're taking us somewhere where we can rest."
Turning his head, Link gave Marth a vague smile over his shoulder before turning too stared blankly at Revan's back.
It didn't take them long to arrive at the place prepared for them. At the sight of the large space, Revan scowled, not liking this one bit; however, she knew it was because the chancellor was scared of losing her support in the war. "Thank you, Supreme Chancellor," she bowed her head to him. "I will speak with you in the morning."
"Sleep well," with that the chancellor left, no doubt heading back to his apartment. Turning back to the space, Revan's eyes narrowed. They didn't need an entire apartment just for a few weeks.
"Let us rest," she said her voice calm before she moved into the space. At the very least they wouldn't be getting on one another's nerves here with a room to each of them.
Almost immediately upon entering, Link veered sharply towards one of the room, pushing the door open and collapsing gracelessly onto the bed. Shrugging, Marth decided that the blonde had a good idea, and so bowing to Revan and Malak, he retreated to another of the rooms, "I hope you rest well, masters."
It was early and Revan sat at in one of the chairs in the main room, going through several data-pads. She hadn't been able to sleep last night, visions of what was to come and the past had made it impossible. Around one in the morning she had given up and started to create plans for the defense of Coruscant and how she was going to deal with masters. Sighing, she leaned back in the seat, rubbing her eyes. The mask lay on the table in easy reach and her cloak was beside her also in easy reach. "Perhaps there is more to this than even I can see," she muttered, her quiet voice cutting through the silence as easy as a 'saber through metal as she placed her hand her chin. "What am I missing?"
"A good breakfast, perhaps?" Marth said softly, quietly padding into the room.
Her hand shot forward, grabbing hold of the mask. Quickly she replaced it, force, she had been so preoccupied with the plans she hadn't sensed him awaken. "Good morning, Padawan Marth," her voice was calm as she stood, replacing her robe and pulling up the hood.
Slightly disappointed, Marth smiled slightly at her, giving a small bow, "Good morning, General Revan. I'll let you get back to your work. I'm going to go make breakfast so that Link and Master Malak will have something to eat when they wake up."
The excited tone that followed Marth's statement cut through the quiet atmosphere of the room quite effectively, "Did I just hear someone mention food?" bounding into the room, Link came up beside Marth, slinging his arm over the padawan's strong shoulders, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
Well, so much for the quiet of the morning. Shaking her head, Revan returned to her seat, amused at Link's enthusiasm. Today was bound to trying for all of them, she had a meeting in two hours with the chancellor and then she had to speak with the council on if they would join the defense of Coruscant; however, she doubted she would be able to see them today, knowing that they wouldn't want to see her. The Force seemed to be against her when it came to them.
"Come on Revan, cheer up." Link said brightly, planting his hands on his hips. Then before Revan could answer he turned to Marth, his finger pointed accusingly at him, "And you, slave, why aren't you making me breakfast?!"
Rolling his eyes, Marth dipped a deep bow to Link and replied sarcastically, "Of course, master. For you are far too old to be making your own food."
"Damn straight." Link grinned, nodding his head decisively. Seeing that it was useless, Marth straightened up and walked into the kitchen, where soon sounds of cooking drifted out from.
Revan glanced at the data-pads spread out across the table before standing. "Perhaps I will aid him," she started towards the door into the kitchen. Pausing in the entrance, she smiled at the sight of Marth cooking. It might not be her strong point; however, she could at the every least try to help.
"Are you sure about that?" Link asked uncertainly, coming up behind her, "Malak said that we should never allow you anywhere near something that remotely resembles cooking."
"You're one to talk." Marth drawled, looking over his shoulder, "I bet you could burn water. What with your loss of memory with age and all."
Eyes narrowing into a glare, Link strode into the kitchen and snatched the knife Marth was using before bumping him aside with his hip, "That's it, you've asked for it. You are now going to experience the greatest meal of your life and you are going to like it." Link dangerously leveled the knife at Marth's chest, but his eyes showed the truth of his threat, or lack thereof, "Now go away before I decide you'll make a good minced meat."
Leaning over, Link scooped up one of the many different vegetables littering the counter and began to expertly chop it into small, precise pieces. Watching the fast, practiced movements of Link's hands, Marth came to the conclusion that it would be safe enough to leave the blonde the task of cooking their breakfast, "Fine, geezer. Just let me know if you need help with any of the appliances though. Don't need the entire place catching on fire."
Revan slowly backed out of the room, not wanting to come between the two friends. Turning, her eyes narrowed as she sensed where Malak had gotten off to. Quickly she crossed the space to a large balcony and, sure enough, she found Malak there. His practice 'saber was out and his body moving through the battle moves smoothly.
Suppressing the urge to laugh, she stepped forward. "You know an opponent would give you more practice," well, she could do with some practice herself, not that she was really in the mood for it; however, she never was.
"Is that a challenge?" asked Malak, straightening as he smile at her.
"Perhaps," she moved to stand across from him, grabbing her practice blade. His smile widened. Within seconds he crossed the space between them, his blade flicking towards her neck, she easily dodged him. "You should know direct attacks never work, my friend." She kicked him, sending him stumbling away.
Laughing, Malak regained his balance. "True, but I've never learned," he grinned.
"Force! What are you doing?! You're gonna set the kitchen on fire!"
"It's called cooking over an open flame! Everything tastes better that way!"
The shouts from inside were loud, threatening to shake the glass form the windows, but it was obvious that the two weren't going to kill each other…much.
Sighing, Revan hung the practice blade around her belt before racing inside. The smell of smoke was heavy in the air she entered the kitchen. Looking around she saw the two of them fighting over a fire which had been started on the counter. Quickly she used the Force to start the sink and sent the water to the fire with a flick of her wrist, putting it out.
"Do not do that," she said straightening. "Fires are prohibited here." Force, this was going to be the start of a very long day.
"I didn't do that!" Link jabbed his finger accusingly at Marth's face, "He freaked out, bumped me and made some over the oil spill out."
Marth scoffed, "You took the grills off the stove."
A vein above Link's eye twitched, and he glared at Marth, "I've cooked for royalty. I'm 3,000 years old. I think out of everyone here, I'm the best qualified to make breakfast."
"Enough!" Revan called them to order. For someone as old as the fabled prophecy he sure acted like a child. "Perhaps a compromise is in order here," she glanced behind her to see Malak had followed her, a scowl on his face. Disappointment radiated from him and she knew he had been wanting to duel her for a long time. For awhile now he had she was the only who was a challenge to fight.
"I'll cook," Malak ground out the words. He never did like it even though his cooking was good. "Now out with the both of you!" he pointed to the door.
Wrapping his arm around Link's neck, Marth dragged him out of the room as Link spat several foul words at him in his native language. Stopping just at the threshold, Marth gave an apologetic grin to Revan and Malak, "Sorry. I think he's still a bit sleep-deprived."
"Sleep-deprived?" Link grumbled, trying to remove Marth's arm but with little effort, "You don't know the meaning of the word. And if you had just let me..." Link's words faded as Marth dragged him off to the room the blonde had occupied the night before, the door slamming shut behind them.
"Thank the Force," muttered Revan, letting out a low breath as Malak opened a few food packs for an instant meal. Everyone preferred these over actually cooking except for older families or those who had the money to spend on food. They tasted the same as normal food, according to Malak; however, she had never noticed the taste of food before which might have been one of the reasons she couldn't cook.
"Tell them breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, would you, Rev?" asked Malak, shooting her a glance. "Then once we're finished we might be able to get back to the bout," he smiled but it turned into a frown as she shook her head.
"I can not, after breakfast I will have to report to the chancellor. We can not afford a delay or Coruscant will be lost," she could sense his disappoint and wished she could say that they could have a bout just like the days before the war. "Perhaps tonight if I am not kept too long; however, I am uncertain if that will be the case." Turning, she started towards the door as she spoke, "I will inform them." So much had changed. Stopping by the door she knocked, "Padawan Marth, Link?"
Marth was the one who opened the door, cracking it enough to stick is head out, "Yes, General Revan?"
"Breakfast is ready," she stated before turning away from the door just as Malak entered the main room with several plates stacked on several dishes with food. Quickly she moved the data-pads on the table for him, summoning them to her. Crossing the room, she returned to her seat and waited for the others as Malak set down the plates and dishes.
Glancing back into the room and muttering a few words, Marth nodded his head, closed the door and walked to the table. His face was strained, the skin around his eyes tight but he gave a small smile to Revan.
"Where is Link?" asked Revan, tilting her head to one side. If only she could sense him that would make everything simpler.
Before Marth could reply Malak said, "Serve up while it's hot," and grinning he put a large amount on his plate before serving her some food as well.
"Malak, I am not a child," she glared at him and he just shrugged. Gah, if he wasn't the most annoying person in the galaxy at times.
"You never eat enough," his grin widened as he put the plate before her. Still smiling he began to eat.
Nodding his thanks to Malak, Marth turned to Revan to answer her question, "He's not feeling well. But he said it was nothing to worry about and he'd be fine in a little while."
"Ah, I see," she looked down at the food, not really sure how to take this turn in events. Letting out a low breath, she slowly removed the mask, placing it beside her on the table, but left her hood. The shadows were dark, keeping her features hidden. At that moment she didn't really feel hungry, but when did she ever?
Worried, Marth picked half-heartedly at his food while constantly glancing back at the door. After about a full minute of pushing his food around he brought a forkful up to his mouth, but his eyes remained glued to the door. There was no sound coming from inside, something that was starting to make him panic.
A sharp spark of energy in the Force brought Marth flying to his feet and quickly he crossed to the room, opening the door to poke his head in and call, "Link? You okay?"
He barely managed to dodge the boot that flew at his head that sailed on to hit the wall and fall down with a thump, "Yes. And stop freaking out. You're making it worse."
Cautiously sticking his head back in Marth asked, "Making what worse?"
An annoyed grumbling could be heard before Link asked simply, "Ever heard of karma?"
"…I suppose. What does that have to do with anything?" Marth replied confusedly, scratching at his head.
"Everything," Link shot back, "because by worrying you're making my karma worse. And you're not gonna get a better explanation than that."
No more informed that he had been a moment before Marth turned to look back at Revan and shrugged helplessly before going the rest of the way into the room.
This was just too strange. Revan shot a glance at Malak, who shrugged before he continued eating. Of course Malak wouldn't be curious or worried about what was going on. Shaking her head, Revan stood, wondering if she could do anything to help. Before she could move, Malak grabbed her sleeve and tugged her back down. "Eat," he said almost sternly. "The Force knows you need it. You've skipped way too many meals, it's not healthy."
"No, it's not. Malak's right." Link said his voice hoarse and ragged. He and Marth both emerged from the room, Link pushing the Jedi padawan in front of him. But it was startling to see Link flushed pale underneath his tan, dark circles ringing his eyes, and his hair plastered to his head from the sweat that was beading on his face. The blonde had looked hale and hearty not five minutes ago.
Stepping away from Link, Marth walked to the table, pulled out a chair and looked pointedly at him. Sighing Link sat, and as the Hylian settled, Marth said, "We all need to sit and eat." Going to the last open seat, Marth fluidly pulled it out, sat down and followed his own advice because he immediately spooned some food up to his mouth.
Revan ignored the food before her, still not feeling hungry, and began to skim the data-pads. The plans seemed to be in order; however, she wasn't about to throw away lives and if her plans were faulty that was what would occur. "Rev," looking up, she saw Malak glaring at her in mock anger. Reaching out, he plucked the data-pad from her hands as easily as if she hadn't been holding onto it. "Force, you're worse than you were as a Padawan! Now, eat, or do I have to force feed you?"
Great, now he was in a good mood. A smile on the corners of her lips she took a small bite of her food. The last thing she needed was to be treated like a child. Link snickered at the image the words induced, while next to him Marth studiously tried not to think or react at all. Then, eating some of his own food, Link nodded timidly to Malak, "Thank you for making the food…and sorry for being a pain earlier." He said the last part to both Jedi, his cheeks lightly dusted with a blush.
Letting out a booming laugh, Malak looked at Link. "Thank technology for the meal, not me," he grinned good naturedly at Link. "There's no reason for you to be sorry for a thing. As Rev always says—"
"I have never uttered a word about apologizes, Malak," she stated calmly, using the Force to get the data-pad back. "So do not try to make a quote which has never existed." By the Force, why was he suddenly in such a good mood?
Link smiled at Malak before turning to look Revan, "Are you okay Revan? You seem grumpy this morning."
Shocked, Revan looked at Link more than a little taken aback. She didn't feel any emotion if that was his question; yet, it seemed more than just that. There was really no reply she could think of at the moment so she returned to the food before her, eating it quietly and thinking on other matters. This meeting was vital to the survival of the Republic. She couldn't afford error here.
Confused by Revan's reactions, Link's crinkled his eyebrows together before shrugging his slim shoulders and going back to eating. Beside him, Marth shook his head and continued to eat, not bothering to lift his gaze from his food.
When Revan finished the food she stood, replacing her mask. "I must be off," she looked at the group before her. "Try not to get into trouble while here, we can not afford to further antagonize the Jedi Council at this moment."
"Well," Link said, pushing his own half-eaten plate away and standing, "you don't have to worry about me. I'm going to go sleep some more." Nodding to the rest of them he slouched off to the room he'd slept in the night before and closed the door quietly.
Frowning, Revan started off not deep in thought. This was one meeting she couldn't afford to mess up and she knew it. She paused in the door when she sensed Marth following her. "Yes, Padawan Marth?" she asked without turning. It was odd that he was following her now of all times. Did he not have work ahead of him to do?
Rubbing at his arm, Marth asked, "May I accompany you, Master Revan? Master Vackar gave me an assignment to study the political atmosphere of Coruscant."
Revan looked out over Coruscant. It might not be a bad idea to have another with her; just as long as Marth wasn't anything like Malak was, "Very well; however, refrain from speaking with the chancellor. Now, come," she gestured for Marth to follow before entering one of the two speeders before her. Having two was completely unnecessary, but she supposed the senate didn't want to lose the Revanchist's support as much as she couldn't afford to lose theirs.
As she began to set the controls, Marth took the seat beside her. She didn't speak with him as she continued to go over the controls. This confounded machine was in poor condition just like most speeders on Coruscant. It more than likely got more use than it had been built to handle; however, it would get them to the senate and back in one piece at the very least.
Marth sat quiet beside her, not wanting to break her concentration. He kept his eyes focused on the towering buildings around them, his lips pulled down in a slight frown and his eyebrows drawn together. Then suddenly, before he could repress the urge, he asked, "General, do you know why Link attacked you on the ship? He wouldn't tell me why."
Straightening, Revan muttered something inaudible under breath when the engine didn't start. "Yes; however—" she pulled off a panel with the Force before removing her glove so as not electrocute herself, "—if he does not wish for you to know than it is not my place to tell you." She rewired a few of the wires and the engine roared to life.
Marth pouted but let it go at that, instead going on to ask, "Will we be able to trust him during the upcoming attack then? I heard the most disturbing rumor that he slaughtered at least two hundred Mandalorians on his own in the last battle."
"So?" asked Revan as the speeder shot out to join the rest of traffic. "The Jedi of the Revanchist are no different in that aspect. Besides Link has agreed to stay out of all battles and this one is more likely to be a space battle than anything else." That was if her plan went smoothly. Though she doubted it would, the higher ups in the military had problems with taking orders from her as Admiral Karath had proven time and time again. "Marth," she changed the subject, remembering that he had seen her face, "it would be best you keep my age to yourself. Tell no one; not even your master."
Turning to her, Marth blinked in surprise, "Alright, I'll keep it secret." Truthfully he had forgotten all about it, "Why does it need to be kept quiet though?"
"If my age got out the Republic would lose faith and I would be forced to either flee or try to return to the Order who would not take me back no matter what I said," she stated bluntly. She didn't know why she said this only that she did. It was the truth of the matter. She knew in the end she would end up banished in order for the rest to return or worse and she no longer cared. As long as they could return, why should she?
"Oh." It was the only word he could find to say; what else could someone say to what equated to a life sentence? Marth put a hand on his own saber, "I can't imagine not being in the Order."
"Was it your master, then, who made the decision to follow the Revanchists?" she asked. She only knew the two of them were new to the group, she hadn't asked them why they had joined or anything like that. Their reasons were their own and the Jedi Order would never send in assassins it wasn't their way.
"Yes. He said that it was a worthy cause and that in any case I could use the experience." Marth smiled ruefully, "I thought it was odd at first though since only two weeks before that Master Vackar was calling all Revanchists fools."
"Perhaps that is truly what we are, just a group of fools with a dream which can never fully come to pass. I admit it was odd for one such a Vackar to join us; however, I am grateful for his aid and advice." It was strange though, he had called them such only weeks before joining. She would have to look further into this matter later.
Marth chuckled, "Well, he's got plenty of that to go around. Aid and advice that is. Sometimes I think that my master is a fortune cookie with feet."
"Fortune cookie with feet?" Revan tilted her head to one side in confusion. "Do you mean a seer?" she asked. "Most consulars are." What the Force was a fortune cookie?
"Ah," Marth hesitated, thinking about how best to say what he meant, "not a seer. More like…he has something wise to say for every sort of situation or challenge. Sort of like the saying "never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes."
"An odd saying, I was taught to never judge someone until you can see their intentions then discover how best to turn the situation around so it no longer favors them," she smiled at Marth's shocked look. "Joking, in truth I was taught only to watch them in order to best analyze the person's motivations and weaknesses or at least I was until the Order changed my master." Not that she had been torn; she hadn't liked Kreia's instruction or her methods.
Marth blinked, his brain trying to process what had just happened then he smiled, "You just told a joke. Is that really what your master taught you? Seems brutal."
She didn't reply to this. If Marth thought that lesson was brutal than it was best to not tell him of the other lessons Kreia had taught. The only one Revan had taken to heart was the one to always question. The others didn't matter any longer, they were against the Jedi way and she knew it. Kreia wasn't her master; not any longer. At this time she had no master, she had left Zhar's instruction in order to enter the war.
"Master?" Marth asked hesitantly.
"I suppose it is," she stated, not looking at Marth. Such matters were best left untold and she had better get the subject back onto safe ground before more of what Kreia had done and taught was dragged from the shadows. "When we arrive, watch what the Chancellor says. It will help you with the task your master has set."
"Thank you," Marth looked out at the buildings that we slipping past them, "Master, why do you seem so wary of the Chancellor? It seems to me that he should be willing to do all he can to help since Coruscant is the one about to be attacked."
Her hands tightened on the controls. "Without his aid the Revanchists will have no one on their side. The military will no longer support our actions and the senate would follow the Chancellor's lead. He needs our aid just as much as we need his," she explained. "Besides, I have not yet informed him on the Coruscant's situation. I thought it best to wait to do so when in person." The truth was she had to play this right otherwise both military fleet coming in and the Chancellor would not accept the aid of the Revanchists in this coming battle.
Marth sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Politics. They make my head throb. Well, I hope he'll hear you out. I hope the Council does the same when you get to speak to them as well. But they probably won't." Marth frowned, shaking his head in a despairing way.
"Politics is just like a battle field, just as treacherous, though without the risk of losing life," Revan said her voice even calm. "If you know how to speak with a senator then the Chancellor will not be as daunting." She glanced at Marth, "Though I would prefer a battle field over speaking eloquently with the senators. I will be glad when this war is over and I will no longer have to deal with such matters."
Marth chuckled, "Well there's one thing to look forward to. But…well, do you have an idea of when this war is going to end? Master Vackar said it could take years."
"At this rate it just might. Mandalore is trying to end this war as are we; however, we no longer have the resources to keep up with him for much longer," she admitted. "Our situation is not the best. Many soldiers left the Republic when the war took a turn for the worst at the start and have not come back over to the Republic. Not to mention how long it takes to build ships. The Republic has been losing more ships than it can build. I wish I could say the Revanchist's aid was all the Republic needed as they believe, but it is not."
"You're right. But maybe we can hope that the Mandalorians will get tired of fighting and go home." Marth joked, giving her a small smile.
Revan smiled, though she knew Marth wouldn't see this. "If only," she glanced at him before steering the speeder into the parking space at the senate building. Leaning back in her seat, she looked at the building. "Remember not to speak," she looked at Marth before getting out of the speeder and leading the way to the building. Thoughts raced through her mind, worries and ideas chasing one another in an endless race.
Quietly, Marth followed behind her but taking the chance to look around the senate building, he observed everyone they went past. He would not fail to complete the assignment his master had given him. But there wasn't much to see as they walked through the building except for secretaries and underlings hurrying about business for their superiors. It was all surprisingly normal.
Revan paused before a large door, her eyes on the floor as she quickly thought. There was little room for error here; she would have to tread carefully. Slowly she raised her hand and knocked. A familiar voice answered her, "Enter." The large door split, sliding open to permit her and Marth into the rather large room.
At the far side of the room the Supreme Chancellor sat at his desk speaking with a few of the masters from the Jedi Order. As she crossed the room, she recognized them as Masters Vandar, Atris, and Vrook. Atris was the Jedi historian on the council; her long robes were white with part of it symbolizing her as the master historian. Her hair was white despite the fact she was only in her early thirties and her eyes were a light blue as Revan well remembered.
"Ah—" the chancellor stood, "—General Revan, welcome." He beckoned her further into the room as he turned to the Jedi Masters, "Thank you for dropping by, masters; however, I have everything in hand here. Good day," he nodded curtly to them.
The three masters stood and turned. As Atris caught sight of Revan, her features darkened. "Knight Revan," she said coolly, stopping before Revan and Marth, "and—" her eyebrow rose slightly as she looked at Marth, "—Padawan Marth, this is a surprise." She turned her eyes back on Revan, looking into her mask, "Be for warned, Revan, you are not welcome here," with that she started towards the door, Master Vrook following without a word, a scowl on his features as he glanced at Revan.
Master Vandar stopped before her, looking up at her with a soft smile. "You've returned, young knight. It is good to see you're unharmed," said the elderly master. "May the Force be with you in the days to come. Coruscant will need you before the end of this trial." With a nod of his head he slowly followed the two human masters out of the room.
With a studiously blank expression, Marth bowed to the masters as they passed him behind Revan then as Vandar left the room, he straightened and returned his gaze to the Chancellor. How Revan acted here would determine a great many things and Marth wanted to learn everything he could.
"Chancellor," Revan said as she went up the few steps around the desk and chairs before it. "I hope all is well?" She didn't move to take any of the seats, waiting for the chancellor to invite her to do so. Out of the two of them he was higher ranked and the one who needed to be shown every courtesy. Only the masters of the council were his equal.
"No," he stated, returning to his seat and looking up at her, "all isn't well." He leaned forward, placing his hands together and inspecting her closely through the gape. "I just learned the mandalorians are on their way here from Admiral Cede. Tell me, general, why you neglected to tell me this last night?"
Force, that damned admiral had informed the chancellor before she had. This wasn't good. She had to turn the situation back around before all the chancellor's trust vanished. "Forgive me, Supreme Chancellor—" she bowed her head to him, though her eyes never once left his features, "—I did not yet know how to break the news to you." Her jaw tightened as she watched him closely. "There was much to consider before informing you."
"Such as?" asked the Chancellor, his eyes locked on her mask. Annoyance was plain in his gaze as he looked at her. It was apparent he had grown far too used to being able to see his opponent's features.
"Plans on how to stop Mandalore from taking Coruscant," she said calmly. Her position was still uncertain here. Curiously she spread out her awareness, reaching out with the Force towards the Chancellor. She had to sense his emotions and point towards this matter. Her heart froze as she sensed a deep anger towards her and an annoyance.
"Please sit, General," he gestured to one of the chairs. Taking it, she was careful to keep her body language open and natural. She was losing this game at a fast pace, her mind was racing, trying to find away out of this before it was too late. Every possibility imaginable raced through her mind; yet, all of them pointed to the fact she needed to see where this was going. She already had an idea that this was not going to end well for them. "General," the chancellor started once more, his voice stern, "I want to know how you plan on stopping this by yourself." He didn't let her say a word, not even pausing for a second, "You see, I don't think you can. That is why I'm giving Admiral Cede full command over this situation. You and—" his eyes flicked to Marth, "—your group are not to interfere in this matter. Return to your apartment and wait there for more or—"
"No!" Math gasped, lifting his hand involuntarily, "you can't…we're here to help you!" As the last word fell from his lips, Marth immediately looked horrified and he dropped his hand back down to his side. His eyes fell to boots as well, and he felt shame burning a blush on his cheeks.
Revan didn't look at Marth as she stood. Thanks to his outburst she had lost all opportunity to try and talk the chancellor out of this. "Very well, Chancellor, I will honor your decision," turning, she gestured to Marth and headed for the door. Once in the hall she quickened her pace. Force, this wasn't good. She stopped once outside and turned to Marth. "You need to return to—" she cut off as she sensed an extremely familiar presence near. Whipping around her, her eyes fell upon a hooded Jedi standing in the shadows by the speeder. "Kreia," she stated her eyes locked on her old master.
"You disappoint me, my old padawan," stated Kreia in away of greeting. "Did I not teach you better?" Kreia stepped from the shadows. The upper part of her face hidden by her hood, she had aged greatly since Revan had been her padawan.
"I stopped listening to you long ago," stated Revan, looking at her old master. The Force hated her this day, that much was clear.
"Was that what you were doing when you came to see me last year? Was it not you who came to me and sought to hear my advice?" Kreia walked toward her, stopping beside her. "You haven't listened," she hissed at Revan, her voice venom. "Still you cling to the past and all of the Order's ways. You're eyes are still closed!"
Marth, hearing what Kreia had said, and disliking it, stepped up beside Revan. He gave a small bow, "Master, I'm sure you have business elsewhere since you are naturally a very busy person. I know that General Revan and I have other places to be ourselves." It was a polite dismissal.
Kreia ignored Marth. "Heed this, the path you walk is one steeped in betrayal. Trust is for fools. Never stop watching those you're closest to, for they will be your death and that would be a pity, now wouldn't it?" with that she turned and walked off, never once looking at Marth.
Revan stood frozen, her mind whirling. How had Kreia known she hadn't forsaken the Order fully as she had advised? She had left, yes, but she was still a Jedi and there was no reason for her to leave behind the Order's ways, was there? Sure she'd bent the rules more times than she cared to think, but she never stepped out of—her eyes widened as a thought hit her. What if the answer to all of the Republic's problems lay with a revision within her plans? No, revising the plans would only lead to her sacrificing people and she couldn't do that.
Then there was the rest of what Kreia had said. How could she not trust those closest to her? Malak would never harm her or any of their allies. This was ridiculous. Once more Kreia was advising Revan to go against all she couldn't. Sure she had left the Order, but she wasn't about to attack them either.
Marth stared at Kreia's back as she left, his eyes narrowed in what could be assumed a glare. Then as the blind Master disappeared from view, he turned to see Revan standing stock still, as if her mind were trying to process something. Marth cleared his throat, "We should probably get back to the apartments and let Master Malak know what the Chancellor said."
"Yes," Revan slowly said, pulling herself from her thoughts. Quickly she headed back to the speeder, wanting to put distance between herself and Kreia's latest prophecy. There was no way in the Force this one was true. No one was going to betray her or the Revanchists. Maybe she was thinking too ideally there, but she couldn't start interrogating people just because of what Kreia had said or stop trusting everyone.
Once Marth was in the speeder she set off back towards the apartment. She doubted Malak was still there. He had no doubt left to have a "good time" on Coruscant, whatever that meant. Marth sat silently in the speeder as Revan drove it back to the apartment; for his part he just wanted to get back and record everything he'd seen and observed at the senators building. He ran his hand through his hair and stared absently as buildings whipped past.
(Authors' Note: From Flame: I am going to say sorry here, really fast, for the late update. Both Blackfang and I are in collage and I've been focusing more on other stories that this one. We both have only two chapters remaining to finish in this story (chapter 13 and 14) but it is mainly my fault that the story has not updated because I've not been paying attention to it. I am deeply sorry about that.)