AN: Quick note to say thanks to all the reviewers! Other notes can be found within the reviews themselves.

KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC III

FORCE OF ECHOS

Chapter Ten

Several Sith elite soldiers entered the Ebon Hawk, with expressed instructions not to harm anyone, just to take them prisoner. The crew was taken from the ship and herded onto the Destroyer. The former Republic ship looked to be in grand perfection, though those that had been at Malachor V knew the ship had been destroyed. Or so they had thought. The interior of the ship was still the lighted grey it had been years ago, though any evidence that it may have been damaged seemed unnoticeable.

When the group reached the first turn off hallway, the leader of the commandos stopped them. His men herded the Hawk crew into smaller groups; Brianna, Visas, and Kaleb being led down the hall to their left, while the droids, now deactivated, accompanied Zaalbar and Bao to the right. The leader then pointed straight ahead, motioning to the three that were left to move forward. They did as they were told, feeling uneasy that they were being separated.

On the bridge of the Destroyer, Darth Lyo stood, a happy smile on his face. A dark apprentice approached him, kneeling in respect. "My Lord," he stated. "The crew of the ship has been brought aboard. Revan and the exile were among them."

"Good." The small man replied. "See to it that after our guests are welcomed, that Revan and the exile are brought to me. And make sure that they are unharmed."

Kaleb was seething as he and the girls were led down a hallway and into another room. As they were brought to a stop, a collar was placed around the necks of both Kaleb and Visas. The sound of a door opening stopped the inside activity, as a large metal mech droid floated inside.

"Ah," replied the voice of Goto. "I see you have been brought to me first. Excellent."

"You're going to pay for this." Kaleb spat.

"The one thing I hate about you Jedi is that you're so arrogant." Goto fired back. "Here I was, being so very nice and generous in helping you escape from the destruction of Malachor and this is the gratitude I get. How rude."

"Gratitude!" Kaleb exclaimed. "You call trying to kill me being gracious?"

"As I told you before," the large bot sighed, as though explaining to a small child. "I care about the stability of the galaxy's economy, not how we go about gaining it. Though I do owe you some credits." Kaleb's eyes narrowed. "You did as I told you. You saved Onderon and Dantooine, which has not only earned you some fame, but some profit as well."

"Then hand it over."

"Not just yet, I'm afraid." The droid replied. "I have…another pressing matter for you to attend to. You'll notice the collar that is currently around your neck. If you're unaware, that is a neural disruptor, something that will keep you…complacent until I release you." Kaleb made a move towards the droid, but halted. "No, no." the droid continued. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you. I'm sure you feel that your Jedi powers are quite dampened right now and I would hate for you to hurt yourself coming after me. But, you may try if you like."

Kaleb did just that, raising his hand and summoning his Force Storm. However, unlike his other successes, the action caused him great pain and he fell to the floor, panting. Brianna and Visas tried to rush to him, but just like Kaleb, Visas fell as well, leaving Brianna speechless.

"I did try to warn you." Goto admonished. "I need you to be completely subjected as I explain the task I have for you." The droid waited until the commandos hauled the young assassin to his feet. "Follow." The droid turned, heading the way he had come, the commandos dragging their captives along the way. They had only gone a few feet before they once again stopped, standing outside a door.

"You will be placed inside, exile," the droid explained. "There is a matter between you and an associate I believe needs to be resolved before we continue."

The commandos began to drag Kaleb inside, but not before the young man stood up to the droid. "When I get out of this collar," he growled. "I'm going to find you and I'm going to kill you." The soldiers dragged him inside, the door shutting behind them.

"What're you going to do with him?" Brianna asked, trying to hold her anger at bay.

"You'll see." The droid replied, turning and continuing on. The group once again stopped, this time outside of a large window, where they could see Kaleb standing alone inside the room they had passed. His collar was off his neck, as evident by his handlers lying at his feet. "Impressive." The droid said, hovering next to the handmaiden.

"You didn't really think he'd be a match for them, did you?" she asked, sarcastically.

"I'm surprised to see you still traveling with the exile, Sister of Atris." Goto continued, ignoring her comment. "The last time you were together, I had thought would be the last time."

"You know nothing of me, Goto."

"No?" the droid asked. "I know that both you and the Miraluka are in love with him. Perhaps that's why you continue to travel together."

The opposite door to the room in which Kaleb stood, opened suddenly, revealing the hulking figure of Hanharr, who was already equipped with his swords. Kaleb, who was unarmed, looked around his surroundings, hoping one of his guards had some sort of weapon. He picked up a long sword from one and readied himself for battle.

"Hanharr." The handmaiden breathed.

"So this was a set up." Visas began. "You led him into a trap."

"Yes," Goto replied. "But as you can see, he has found himself a weapon in order to fight Hanharr. That was my intention."

"What are you talking about?" Visas insisted, receiving a shock for her troubles.

"You never answered my question, Sister of Atris," Goto continued. "Why have you continued to travel with the exile? I would have thought your mistress would forbid such things."

"And why are you continuing to ask?" Brianna bit back. "If you already know so much."

The droid gave a low chuckle. "I see she has you trained already." He replied. "Will you be one of those to bring the Jedi back into existence? If so, I believe I have a proposition for you."

"The same kind of proposition you had for the exile?"

"Silly girl," the droid laughed. "Do you really think Hanharr has a chance against him? I too am aware of the exile's powers and I know that walking carpet is no match for him. I just wanted a way to rid myself of the vile beast and what better way than to settle the score that the old woman Kreia manipulated?"

Hanharr gave a roar as he approached Kaleb. "Finally," he whined. "Finally I will rid us of this deplorable life debt. I was free when I killed Mira and I will be free when I kill you."

"Are you crazy?" Kaleb shot back. "After everything, you'd still be willing to kill me?"

"You are a filthy human!" cried the animal. "You have no reason to live! It was your keeper that placed me in your debt, but she is gone now, gone to the Shadowlands, and where she walks is where you shall follow."

Kaleb watched in horror as the wookie gave out a low, rumbling growl. Kaleb knew that sound, knew from experience of the battles he had seen it in. Hanharr had just employed his wookie rage, a technique which would allow the wookie to go crazy with bloodlust, a technique that almost seemed impossible to stop. The young man cursed, watching as the creature stalked him. Outstretching his hand, he employed Death Field, then Force Storm, but it seemed to no avail. The wookie came at him, his swords clashing against his one as he tried to hold the creature at bay.

Even the most primitive of beasts can be controlled. This atrocious excuse for a being is no exception.

Kaleb stumbled back, the intrusion from Kreia unnerving and unwanted, but it did make him think. Using the Force, he reached out to Hanharr's mind, trying to get to the fabric of the beast. The wookie slowed, his hands going to his head, as he tried shaking the presence from his mind. Kaleb forced the feeling, attempting to at least control the beast for the moment. Hanharr seemed to be losing his fight and though Kaleb hating doing it, the creature needed to be stopped and killed.

Breaking the action, Kaleb raised his hand and seized the wookie in a Force Crush, watching as the creature twisted and turned, grabbing at his throat. Releasing him, he again utilized his Death Field, taking the lasting life from the wookie. Tossing him aside, Kaleb sighed. He hadn't wanted to that, in fact he had hoped to control the beast to do his bidding. He shook his head. That was his old master talking, manipulating through him.

I refuse to be your tool again, my master, even if I still feel your fall and death through the Force.

You learned from me, my pupil. Did your former master teach you as I had?

You know she didn't. You know I hold you in high regard, but I will not be the subject of another one of your trials.

I did warn you of the handmaiden and yet you still consorted with her.

You warned me not to mate with the Miraluka. You said nothing about the handmaiden.

Ah and did you take from her all you wanted?

I refuse to rise to your bait and if you speak of Brianna in that way again, I shall find your battered remains among Malachor's pieces and put an end to you once and for all.

Still protective, I see. But even in death, my student, you make me proud.

And I always shall, my master.

"You see?" Goto said. "The exile was never in any real danger."

"Not yet, anyways." Brianna replied, sarcastically.

"Are you Jedi always so pessimistic?" Goto asked. "I would think that your reputation only would make you see the brighter side of things, but so far, I have heard nothing but dismal reports. I must admit, I had hoped to align with a Jedi, but I am…content with my alliance to this new Sith. At least they seem happier."

"So convinced that I'm a Jedi, but yet I am free from those collars you placed on my companions." Brianna stated.

"You haven't exactly admitted that you were." Goto shot back. "And as I said, I'm hoping to enlist your help."

"Forget it."

"So quick to decline?" the droid asked. "You haven't even heard it yet. Perhaps I need to bring in some assistance in order to…gauge your reaction."

"Perhaps I need to show you that I'm serious in my refusal." She retorted.

"I don't believe it is necessary to become violent." The droid replied. "But you must understand the position you people have placed me and the galaxy in. Though the exile did indeed come through with helping those planets in need, he also helped destroy them. If not for the destruction of Peragus, Telos wouldn't be in the situation it found itself in last year. For every action, there is a reaction. I am only trying to stabilize the Republic."

"So you can continue your business with the Exchange?" Visas asked.

"I don't think you ladies realize what a service my business does for the galaxy." Goto explained. "After the Mandalorian War and the war between the Jedi, it was the Exchange that helped those families and businesses that had been destroyed by the constant fighting."

"Help from the ruthless." Brianna commented. "How quaint."

"Every evil conquest has come from good intentions." Goto stated. "It was Revan's good intentions at Malachor that killed Republic soldiers, Jedi, and Mandalorians alike. And from this 'good intention', Revan amassed an army that nearly destroyed the Republic. Was it good intentions that the exile was cast out from the Jedi Order? Of course it was. And it was good intentions that led several members of the Sith onboard your ship, was it not?" The women said nothing. "Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, there are good intentions and bad intentions and they are as interwoven and cloaked as the Sith and the Jedi."

Bao and Big Z found themselves locked inside a prison deck, with two lifeless droids. The energy shield was raised, with the Sith soldiers sneering at the prisoners. They left the captives to themselves, laughing on what they could do them when their master gave the word. The wookie warbled, looking at the techie in sorrow.

"Don't worry, Big Z." Bao replied, softly. "If they think this shield is going to stop us from escaping, they're wrong."

"Dead wrong." Joked a voice, emanating from the other side of the shield. The figure of Atton appeared before them, smiling and holding a number of weapons in his hands. "Gentlemen, I bring you the spoils from our dearly departed friends. Shall I free you of your predicament?"

"No need." Bao replied, using his shield breaker to disable the energy field. "Have you been out there the whole time?"

Atton walked in, handing a sword to the alien. "Followed you all the way. Mission and I thought it be a good idea to split up, sneak attack, you know."

"Good plan."

"Thanks."

"So where she is now?" Big Z asked.

"Hopefully following Revan." Atton replied. He looked over at the deactivated droids and noticed the other occupants weren't leaving as he had hoped. "I have a bad feeling that we're going to be staying in here, fixing up these droids."

"I've never disagreed with one of your feelings, Atton." Bao quipped, sending a smile his way.

The scoundrel nodded, sighing as he did so. "I'd knew you'd say that."

"That Jedi training is taking effect."

"Cute."

With help from Atton, any damage the droids may have taken was quickly fixed by the Iridonian. T3 happily beeped and whirred having been reactivated, while HK was gleefully cheerful.

"Statement: I see I have been reactivated. Irritated response: Those meatbags had the audacity to deactivate me! Apparently, they are unaware of my superior capabilities."

"First and foremost," Bao stated. "We need to get out of here. Quietly, that way we can at least try and rescue the General and the girls."

"Well, I've already dispatched your appointed guards." Atton replied. "But on a ship that should've been destroyed years ago, that's covered with Sith, I'm certain there's going to be a ton more dark apprentices and Jedi roaming around."

"Gleeful response: Finally, a change to decimate the shell that holds all meatbag workings."

The group looked at the assassin droid. "Revan must have been in a really pissy mood to build that thing." Atton muttered.

"Just be glad it's fighting with us and not against us." Bao countered.

"Good point."

"We should get moving." Zaalbar warbled. "In order to maintain the element of surprise."

"He's right." Bao replied. "Let's go."

Revan and the Onasis were lead into a room, only a feet away from where they had entered. The soldiers they were with had looked at them with distain and it seemed to get worse when they were addressed by a dark apprentice. "This is the great Revan?" he asked, smirking at the woman standing in front of him. "This is the destroyer of worlds? The former dark lady of the Sith?" He looked her up and down. "I must say, I'm certainly not impressed."

"You should see things from my side." She quipped.

"I don't understand what our master wants with you." He muttered, walking around her. "I could understand his lust, surely. You are quite a lovely sight to look at." That comment didn't sit well with Carth, who tried to make a move against the man, but was stopped by Revan.

Turning to address the dark apprentice, she said, "I wouldn't annoy me if I were you. I'm really not in the mood to be especially gracious or even tolerant right now."

"Are you threatening me?" the apprentice asked, stepping up to the woman. "Despite who you may have been in the past, you're nothing more than a light sided wench." He gave her another once over, his eyes straying a little lower than needed and staying on places he shouldn't. "Maybe you aren't useless after all." He continued. "Maybe our master has decided to reward us with some…needed company."

"I'd watch your tone if I were you." Revan replied, a slight grin on her face, but it was far from happy and more…malevolent.

"If you even think of touching her…" Carth began, but was silenced when a Force Wave sent him and Dustil across the room.

"You're really trying my patience." Revan said, her voice lowering to a growl.

The dark apprentice looked at his men, grinning. "You know," he said, again looking the woman up and down. "I think I'd be the talk of the ship. The one who had Revan, even Malak couldn't boast of that." He laughed, causing the others to do so as well.

Revan liked to think she was an even tempered woman. She was quite easy going and usually very little made her mad. But when she did get angry, she was formidable, a feat only made worse by her fall to the dark side and learning of those dark sided powers. She had done all she could to progress in the light side powers she had once possessed and tried to dampen the dark side powers that begged to be used. But there were always times, times when her anger could cloud her judgment and times when the use of her dark side powers not only taught those who sought to challenge her a lesson, but made her feel powerful as well.

Now was one of those times.

She would later defend her actions as a last resort. She had tried to warn them, tried to be civil, to no avail. So she had to show them why she had been the lord of the Sith so many years ago.

She quickly cast Horror to those around her, before receiving a jolt and casting Force Storm, a power that had previously had been unknown to her. The actions killed most in the room, but it did leave the dark apprentice standing, if not in pain. Standing in front of him, Revan waved a hand, the man's mind now in her control. She had noticed the blaster on his hip and smiled, menacingly. "You're going to take your blaster and point it to your head." She said, watching as the command was repeated with no argument.

"Revan, what're you doing?" Carth asked, his eyes wide at seeing the destruction his lover had caused.

"Teaching these whelps a lesson in respect." She replied, her eyes never leaving the man in front of her.

"Revan, don't." Dustil pleaded, feeling the malevolence radiating from his teacher.

"Repeat after me." She continued, ignoring the protests from her side. "Revan is, and will always be, the most powerful Sith lord there has ever been."

"Revan is, and always will be, the most powerful Sith lord there ever has been." The man repeated, his forehead crinkling in confusion. Revan released her control on him, smiling when he realized what had happened.

The former lord just smiled before delivering Drain Life, taking within an inch of the man's mortality. When he was writhing on the floor, Revan kneeled next to him. "You've apparently caught me in a very generous mood after all." She whispered. "I'm in a bit of a transition right now, so you have the utmost pleasure of living today, because if this had been back when I was Sith lord, I would've torn off your twig and berries and feed them to you for lunch. I will, however, leave you with this friendly advice. If you ever doubt the power I have or the power I wielded, I will find you and kill you. And I can assure you, you don't want that. Do you understand?"

The dark apprentice nodded, if somewhat painfully. "Now," she whispered. "Where is your master?"

"On…on the bridge." He stuttered. "He's waiting for you. And the exile."

"Mustn't keep him waiting then, should we?" she replied, standing. She walked towards the door the apprentice had entered from, only stopping when she noticed Carth and Dustil weren't following. "Are you coming?" she asked.

"What the hell was that?" Carth stammered, taking a few strides to reach her.

"Don't tell me you've suddenly gained a sympathy for the Sith, Admiral." She replied, coolly.

"It's not that." He muttered, shaking his head. He looked at her, trying to form the words he was thinking. "This isn't you." He whispered, settling for what he felt, rather than what he was thinking.

"On the contrary," Revan replied, looking him straight in the eye. "It is. Maybe it's not a part you wish to acknowledge, but it is indeed me. And this same me is going to the bridge of this ship and met the wacko who can't seem to leave us the hell alone. Now are you both with me or no?"

Not waiting for an answer, Revan walked out the door, only to be confronted with another group of Sith soldiers. "Darth Lyo would like to speak to you, Lady Revan." One of them replied.

"And what of my crew?" she asked, eyeing them suspiciously.

"With exception to the Jedi exile, they have all been escorted back aboard your ship." The same commando stated.

"What exactly are you playing at?" Carth asked, clearly unhinged at their earlier encountered and his anxiousness for leaving only heightened.

"Our master's orders are that he seeks an audience with the Lady Jedi and the exile." Remarked the soldier. "The rest of you will be escorted back to your ship."

"Bring me to him then." Revan announced, stunning both Onasi men. "But so help me, if one hair is misplaced on anyone from my crew, you will answer to me. And as you can see," she stepped aside so the group could see her earlier work. "I'm in no mood to be trifled with." The group actually seemed to do a combined gulp, before the appointed leader nodded in acquiescence.

Looking at Carth, she could see the disappointment in his eyes, though she hoped he could see her helplessness reflected back. A few of the group marched over, weapons aimed at the father and son before they turned and headed down the hall towards the Ebon Hawk. She watched them leave until they rounded a corner and were out of sight. Facing the soldier who had addressed them, she nodded her readiness in seeing their new lord.

They turned to the left, taking a long pathway towards a turbo lift. "This will take you to the bridge." The leader replied. Revan nodded, stepping into the lift and was taken up through the ship.

When Revan arrived to the door that led to the bridge, she could feel the dark energy inside. She wished she had the kind of precognition that Kaleb possessed, in order to know what awaited her on the other side of the door. She felt no malevolence, at least not the kind she herself had demonstrated earlier, but she was feeling uneasy about entering. Who knew what lie in wait for her?

Steeling herself, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Kaleb was already waiting for her, his back turned, as he shifted his head. He motioned towards the smaller man that stood overlooking the command deck. Revan walked over, standing next to the assassin. She gave him a quick once over, receiving a nod to her unasked question if he was all right. The former Jedis turned back to their host, who finally turned to face them.

"Ah, you're here." The little man replied, a slight smile on his face. "Forgive me for the actions the crew may have taken with retrieving you, but you must understand the trials and tribulations with getting in contact with you."

"Well, we're here now." Kaleb stated.

The small man nodded, the smile never leaving his face. "But how rude of me," he continued. "I am Darth Lyo, the current lord of the Sith and it is my utmost pleasure in meeting two of the greatest Sith that have ever lived."

"You seem to know a lot about us," Revan replied. "And yet we really don't know anything about you."

Lyo chuckled. "Ever the historian, my lady," he responded. "I'm sure you've noticed my appearance. I am a direct descendant from the ancient Sith race."

"A true Sith?" Kaleb asked, glancing at Revan. "I thought you were all wiped out, made extinct by your own upheavals."

The small man nodded. "That is correct." He explained. "But not all of us are extinct. As I'm sure you know, the ancient Sith often mated outside their race, forming a lot of half breeds. I am a product of one of those unions."

"But how do you know about us?" asked Revan.

The smaller man looked at the former leader of his organization. "The same way anyone could know about the great Revan." He stated. "But the most important question to ask, is what have the Jedi done for you? For either of you."

"And what has the Sith done?" the raven haired woman shot back. "Lies? Betrayal?"

"And you never have felt that from the Jedi?" Lyo asked. "The same people that sat by while the Mandalorians came and destroyed worlds, who viciously invaded the mind of one Jedi, while exiling and striping the Force from another. This is your great Jedi Order? There must've been a reason for you both to turn to the dark side." The two didn't answer. "Admit it," he continued. "You know it to be true, deep within you, that belonging to the Sith freed you of those constrictions the Jedi would place upon you. You ask how I know about you. Surely you don't think because there are few Jedi left, that there isn't a traitor amongst you."

"What do you want?" Kaleb growled.

"To put you back in your rightful places." The man replied. "I am nothing compared to the tactical mind of Revan. Too many Sith are too proud to admit it was Revan, not Malak, who lead us to victory against the Republic. Malak, like most Sith lords, only wanted the power that came with leading something so great, but it was you, Revan, that knew which planets were essential to gaining control, which planets needed the kind of help the Republic couldn't offer." Lyo turned, beginning to pace in front of them.

"Have you ever wondered of your past, Revan?" he asked. "Of who you were before the Jedi came and ripped it from your soul? Why certain people know you, hate you…why planets tremble in your wake? Did you ever wonder...why the planet of Onderon seceded from the Republic? Why they were so eager to join you under the banner of Sith?" He turned to watch her face, which only held confusion. "Ah," he sighed. "They have yet to tell you. Hell, I don't think they would tell you. Do you know why, Revan? Why they keep this information from you? It's because they're afraid. Afraid of the alliance you would form with a world already tittering on civil war, from your own home world."

Revan's eyes grew bigger, unaware of this piece of her past.

"Oh yes," Lyo breathed. "There is much the council wish to shield from you, from both of you. I know of your abilities, Kaleb Flare, abilities the council tried to take from you, strip from you. They wanted you to be without the Force, not because it was a danger to the galaxy, but because of the danger presented to them. Your loss of the Force only affected the Jedi, not the rest of the galaxy. Hell, we Sith have benefited from it, from your rage and anger.

"You two fight a losing battle, trying to do a balancing act between Jedi and Sith, between good and evil. But I know you know, I know you both know, unless you are completely on the side of light, the Jedi will never see you as they had before, as fellow Jedi."

"And the Sith will?" Kaleb asked. "From my experience, it didn't matter if I was an assassin or not. They're still after me."

"If you want solace, young Knight," Lyo replied. "Join me. You'll see, I am not like those other Sith lords. I walk in the path of greatness, the path of the most noble and honored Sith lords that have built us to be great. I know we can be greater. Join me."

The young assassin looked to his left, where Revan stood next to him, a thoughtful look on her face. He couldn't see what she was thinking, but she felt as he did. The explanation, the truths, the offer…all were very tempting and at least for Kaleb, he was nearly there anyways. But could he truly throw away all he had gained?

For Revan, her emotions were tumbled and confused. Her confusion was fueling her anger, anger at everything she had endured, and more so for the information she couldn't even gather from the Jedi Council members. "Do you really expect us to just throw away everything because of your proposition?" she asked.

Lyo turned away from them, walking towards the large window they faced. "Currently, you are being pursued by bounty hunters, the Exchange, and the Sith." He stated. "The cold reality is there are no Jedi left and even if there were, the past speaks for itself. Besides, I could easily crush any opposition mounted by a few Jedi."

"Could you crush me?" Revan asked, feeling the underlying challenge in his voice.

The dark lord turned slightly to gaze at her. "I'd rather not." He said. "And I think we both know how great the galaxy could be if we were charge of it. The Republic is a wounded animal, needing to be put out of its misery." He again turned to face the window. "In case you wanted to know," he continued. "I will be training new troops on Korriban. Unfortunately, the ideal arena had been Malachor, but…we go with what we have. And as we speak, I have transports hovering over Corelia."

"You're going to attack it?" Kaleb asked.

"Perhaps." He said. "I have studied you, Revan, and therefore I have studied your methods. Corelia is in the Core Worlds and a prime place for another academy, or so I've heard." He stopped when he heard the sounds of lightsabers being turned on. "Is that really necessary?" he asked, not turning to face them.

"You're either very brave for telling us your plans," Revan began, her lightsaber at the ready.

"Or very stupid." Kaleb finished.

"Or very clever." He continued, smiling. He turned to face them. "Last chance. Join me."

"The Sith have nothing to offer us." Revan spat.

"And neither does the Jedi." Lyo just stood there, smiling at them. "I don't want to have to hurt you."

"As if you could." Kaleb shot back.

"My powers are in no way a match for yours." Lyo responded. "But it doesn't mean I won't fight you."

"Then come on." Revan said. "Stop talking and start fighting."

The small man smiled, before he shimmered out of sight. "He's in stealth." Kaleb whispered.

"Can you sense him?"

The young assassin concentrated, focusing his view through the Force. It was a technique Visas had taught him, but he had never used it until. But now, his view wasn't as it had been earlier. Now his vision was open to the room, deadening the outer walls and magnifying the solid substances. He turned slowly, feeling Revan next to him and…there! Behind them, a figure stood, though not making a move towards them. Not wasting time, Kaleb struck out with the Force, using his Force Scream to incapacitate.

"Ow!" cried the intruder, as she rubbed the back of her head where it hit the wall. "That hurt!"

"Mission!" Revan exclaimed, deactivating her saber. "Where've you been?"

"I got lost." The Twi'lek explained, giving Kaleb the evil eye. "I ran into the wrong room to save you, then I lost you and had to go roam around this stupid place. But the weird thing is, no one attacked me. Odd, huh?"

"Yeah, weird." Revan muttered. "Do you know which way the Hawk is?"

"Yeah, it's…"

"Just go and show us!" the woman exclaimed. "We need to get off this ship." Revan stormed off, leaving Mission staring at her in surprise.

"What's up with her?" she asked.

Kaleb shook his head. "Now's not the time, Mission." He whispered, looking behind him. He stretched out to try and find Lyo, with no luck. It seemed like the dark lord had disappeared and when he reappeared, he would be looking for them.

There was nervous pacing and waiting upon the Ebon Hawk. Apart from Bao and Atton's captive group, everyone seemed to be lost in their own musings. Above all else was the wondering on what was happening between the dark lord and the two unaccounted for former Jedi and along with that, was the fact that Mission also hadn't returned.

The waiting was over, for the time being, when Revan stormed aboard, Kaleb and Mission right behind her. "Set a course of Coruscant." She barked. "Now!" She continued her stomping until she reached the med bay, turning swiftly and motioning for Kaleb to accompany her. The assassin hesitated, but realized if he didn't follow, the outcome would be far worse.

"What happened?" Carth asked, concern evident in his voice.

The Twi'lek could only shrug, saying, "They were like that when I got there!"

"Come on, Admiral," Atton replied. "Before her majesty comes off her throne in a worse mood than when she entered." The Republic pilot gave one last glance at the closed door to the room he shared with Revan, sighing as he followed the scoundrel up to the cockpit.

Kaleb understood Revan's anger, of course he did, but wouldn't Carth Onasi be a much better sounding board than he? They were lovers, so shouldn't her lover be in the med bay, as she paced around, shouting insults at everything and everyone. What seemed like an hour was only a few minutes, but as she mercifully let him leave, she instructed, "And you're going with me. You know you want to and I want you there. No arguments."

Making his way to the port dorms, he clearly could understand why the council thought Revan could be a loose canon. She was and it was worse when she was upset. Kaleb could remember vividly what happened to those officers that dared to question her ideas or motives. Thankfully, he was never one of them or at least, she respected and liked him enough, she let him slide.

Walking into the port dorm, he smiled slightly at the person occupying his bunk. "Hi." She whispered.

"Hey." he whispered back, removing his jacket and shirt before taking a seat on the bunk.

"You are troubled, my knight." She replied, squeezing his bicep and delivering a small kiss to his shoulder.

"Revan's upset."

"I noticed."

"Darth Lyo told us some things," he whispered. "Things Revan wasn't aware of."

"And that's why we're going back to Coruscant?"

Kaleb nodded. "The council isn't going to be happy with being woken up in the middle of the night." He replied.

"Atris will be there." She whispered, her thoughts drifting to her former mistress.

"Where there's rain, there's a storm." He muttered. He turned to look at her, seeing the thoughtful way her forehead crunched. "Something on your mind?" he asked.

Brianna looked at him, brought from her musings. "Just something I need to discuss with Atris."

"Want me to rough her up for you?" Kaleb asked, rubbing his hands together, a mischievous smile on his face. She hit him on the arm, but couldn't hide the small grin on her lips. He kissed her cheek, whispering, "Good luck with that."

They held each other for a few minutes, before Brianna asked, "How long before we reach Coruscant?"

He nuzzled her neck, murmuring, "Few hours."

"Come to bed."

Kaleb didn't hesitate.

Carth let Atton handle the rest of the trip to Coruscant, worry for his lover out weighing his thoughts of piloting. Hurrying to the med bay, he stopped, racking his brain with something to talk about. In reality, he was still feeling uneasy about what had happened on the Destroyer and Revan's abrupt show of her dark side powers. The seasoned pilot couldn't stop thinking back to when they had first learned that this crewmate, this unofficial leader of the ship, was in fact the same person who had caused the near fall of the Republic; the same person who had divided the Jedi; the same person who was indirectly responsible for the death of his wife.

Carth shook his head. He was over that, he was. It had taken some time, but he couldn't deny that he had fallen in love with the scout he'd met on the Endar Spire those years ago. She made him feel alive again, worry again, made him fall in love with someone all over again. And for that, he had looked past her past persona and learned to love the woman she was now. But at the moment, he felt like he didn't even know the person who shared his bed. He was nervous about going in, nervous at her reaction to him, but with a sigh, he opened the door and walked in.

It was dark, but he could make out her form lying in bed, curled up in the fetal position with the covers around her. She was awake, he knew because of the way her breathing was slightly quickened. Shutting the door behind him, he went to the bed, wrapping himself around her, arms around her waist. "Don't be angry, Carth." Came her whisper, so soft he nearly missed it.

"I'm not." He whispered back. "I'm more worried than anything else. Why are we going back to Coruscant?"

"I need to speak to one of the council."

"We're gonna get there in the middle of the night, early morning maybe."

"I don't care." She replied. "They have a lot to answer for and I want answers. This is ridiculous and it ends. Tonight."

Carth got chills from her words, wondering what exactly she was willing to do. "I just want to talk, handsome." She continued, sensing his apprehension. "I'm not gonna go off half cocked, but even you get frustrated with how they handle things, how they keep things from other people, from us. They think it's a game and it's not. This time it's not."

The pilot looked down at her, a frown on his face. "There's still something you're not telling me."

She smirked. "It's the way of the Jedi, Admiral." She quipped. "Rule number six, Jedi lie."

AN: Short, I know, but it was a segway, if you will to the next chapter if you will. Things heat up as Revan confronts the council and is sent to another familiar face and the former dark lady of the Sith has plans on a grand scale. As always, most of my comments can be viewed within the reviews. New updated review response: Is the exile too weak? And what's up with the preoccupation with Hanharr?