AN: The information presented in this chapter is mostly derived from info taken from JMM's Star Wars chronology web site and that of the chronicles found on the official site of the games and that of game banshee's site. I also got the information from the site when it came to the known planets in the Unknown Regions. The information presented will reflect what I think was there before the battle of Yavin, which happed over a thousand years after the game's time frame.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. No money is being made from this publication. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and The Sith Lords are property if Lucas Arts, Obsidian, and BioWare productions. This story contains major spoilers for these games, though the information provided may differ from game to game. All information presented here is based on the game that I personally played. Any contradictions are due to the differences in the playing performance of the individual.

STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC III

FORCE OF ECHOS

Chapter Thirteen

Revan sat within the starboard dormitory, trying her best to meditate, but found trying to relax and think was hard to achieve. She and Visas sat together, side by side, on the floor. After telling the crew they would be heading into the Unknown Regions, she laid out what planet they'd be heading to. The planet was Csilla and it was located somewhere within the uncharted piece of galaxy. There was a small amount of human inhabitants known as the Chiss that lived on there. The way Revan described the planet in such detail made those around herconsider that she may have traveled there in the past.

With instructions to Canderous to keep a look out, the crew headed back on the ship. HK had noted, in his own informative way, that the nav-computer had been voice locked. He concluded that it was voice locked in order to keep someone from knowing where the ship had been. Then he suddenly stopped talking, his systems being shut down abruptly. Revan had shrugged, saying he was probably due for some routine maintenance, suspiciously keeping her hands behind her back. After that, she had found Visas and asked if they could meditate together.

"You're unsettled." Replied the woman.

Revan sighed. "I know." She said. "I can't seem to concentrate. The closer we get to the Unknown Regions, the more…worried I become."

"You seem to know a lot about the planet we travel to."

Revan regarded the young woman. "You find it odd." She stated. "That I know so much about a place I claim to never have visited."

"On the contrary," the Miraluka replied. "I don't believe you've ever stated that you had indeed been to this planet. Or had not, in this case."

The former dark lord nodded. "And if I had been to this planet?"

"Then I hope your judgment in not telling the crew doesn't come back to haunt you."

Revan could only nod. She told Visas that she would be back later, then stood and left the starboard dorm. The former dark lordindeed had a lot on her mind. She remembered telling the crew before hand that she may have been inside the Unknown Regions, but she couldn't give a yes or no. She could tell by the looks on their faces that the thought of her being in the Unknown Regions wasn't a foreign idea, but it did make them wonder what exactly she was doing there.

Making her way back to the med bay, Revan spotted Kaleb, seemingly waiting for her by the wall. She gave him a half smile, attempting to head to her quarters, but the young manheld his hand up to stop her. "Do you need something, Kaleb?"

"I was wondering if I could talk to you." He replied. "If you don't mind."

Revan sighed, then shrugged. "Sure." She said, following him to the port dorm. Once inside, the assassin turned to her, arms crossed in front of his chest.

"You've been to the Unknown Regions." He stated.

The woman raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that so, young knight?"

"I'm not a knight." He said. "At least not any more. And yeah, it is so. I know you don't remember, but you must admit you have a lot of knowledge pertaining to the subject."

She smirked. "You do realize I was training to be a historian, yeah?" she asked. "It's kinda in the job description to study history."

"The history of the Jedi, yes." He replied. "Not the history of the Sith or worlds within an uncharted piece of galaxy. Meaning, at some point, you went to this planet we're headed to. The question remains as to what the purpose was. Surely, you don't deny this."

"I don't deny anything." Revan said. "Hell, I don't remember anything! Yeah, it's possible that I've been to the planet of Csilla, but I have no recollection of it. What if…"

"What if what?"

"When we looked for the Star Forge and Malak," she began. "We got crashed on this planet. The weird thing was, the inhabitants knew who I was, that I had been there before. That I had caused the whole Star Forge thing in the first place." Revan began to pace in front of the assassin. "There were these two groups of Rakatans, the race that resides there. One group remembered me, had said they waited for my return, were basically ecstatic to see me. The other group, the…elders, told me I had tricked them into letting me in to their temple in order to activate the Star Forge that hovered above the planet.

"I don't remember ever going there." She continued. "I got some, if not most, of my memories back, but there are still these pockets that I can't even fathom. And what's worse, who knows what the hell I did to those people on Csilla?"

Kaleb shook his head. "I wouldn't do anything to switch places with you." He whispered. "As much as I don't like thinking about the past, I don't think I could ever forget what has happened in my life, good or bad."

"I wish I could say the same."

The two were quiet for some time before Kaleb asked, "Do you think it's possible? Another war, I mean."

Revan nodded. "I didn't want to believe itat first." She said. "That's why it took me so long to even say anything. I didn't want to cause a panic or something."

"I...I think…I'm pretty sure that if we needed reinforcements, I could get them." The assassin whispered.

"As do I." Revan replied. "But thank you, Kaleb. I have a feeling we'll need all the help we can get."

The Unknown Regions, aptly called because most space travelers never entered that piece of the galaxy. Those that did try to enter that particular stretch of space usually came back haunted by the feelings of extreme evil that seemed to radiate from the large, darkened area. No one can say for sure that evil resides there, but for past experience, it seemed to.

Many members of the Sith had called the Unknown Regions headquarters. Being out of Republic space allowed the organization to come up with plans to conquer the galaxy. Revan had used the paranoia of the galaxy and fear of the Republic troops to map out an offense tactic for bringing the Republic to its knees. It was said that somewhere in this unexplored region, that Revan and Malak had finally taken the last steps to completing their fall to the dark side. They left the unknown world, the knowledge of the Star Forge granted to them, and proceeded to turn their hatred upon the Republic and the Jedi Order.

It's said, by many who knew the dark lord Revan, that she often would leave for extended periods of time. It had been during one of these trips that Malak, with the help of Saul Karath, had destroyed the planet of Telos. Of course, once she returned, the two perpetrators were quickly dealt with. Where Revan went, no one knew. And for the woman that emerged from the shadow of the most vile villain since Ulic Qel-Droma, not knowing what her actions could have been, it left a horrible feeling of dread.

But for now, a lone ship floated in this uncharted space, hovering near a gas planet called Mobus. As with the Unknown Regions, nothing was known about this planet, which seemed to have a permanent field of a strange, dark mass around it. For the commander of the Destroyer, he could feel the unwavering power of this gas planet. And from here, he would launch the first of many sneak attacks against the Republic. The refusal of the two former Jedi did not deter his own ambitions, for he would go forward in his plans regardless.

"My Lord," replied the holographic figure that stood before him. "I have arrived on the planet of Csilla, but there is no sign of the ship known as the Ebon Hawk, nor is there sign of the passengers aboard it."

"Wait there until they arrive, Zairia." The man replied.

"Do you believe they will indeed arrive, Master?"

The man nodded. "Revan is going in search of who she was," he said. "And the dark lord she had been did indeed visit those known as the Chiss. When she arrives, watch her movements before coming for her. I want nothing to stand in my way, not even two washed up Jedi."

"I understand." The Zabrak agreed. "Are things still set for Corelia?"

The current Dark Lord nodded. "We are to proceed to Corelia, then to Coruscant."

"Coruscant, sir?"

"I want everything Jedi destroyed." He sneered. "I want the galaxy to know that even in a time of supposed peace, their precious Jedi still refuse to help them rebuild. Destroying them will be the first step in taking complete control. Who will the Republic turn to when the Jedi Order is no longer there to save them?"

The Ebon Hawk didn't take long in reaching the outskirts of the Unknown Regions. The ship itself responded wonderfully through hyper space, though those on the vessel had different reactions to going inside the murky darkness that stood before them. Revan seemed to suddenly become sick She chalked it up to nerves fromentering this piece of space,but her stomach did feel as though thousands of tarentateks were stomping around in her abdomen.

The rest of those who could feel the Force also felt…uneasy about entering this area. They couldn't explain the feeling they had, but they knew it wasn't good. Though feeling queasy, Revan gave the go ahead to enter the Unknown Regions, plotting a course for the planet of Csilla.

The actual planet of Csilla was a warm, sunny place. It seemed out of place within this realm of the galaxy, a small light beaming from a darkened corridor. The world itself was full of beautiful trees and green grass. Off in the distance, though, was a huge mass of ice; a glacier. It also seemed out of place, compared to the warmth and the greenery of the planet. There was a modest village, with buildings and houses abound. A few air speeders had passed them as they went down upon a modest landing pad. People were already gathered when they saw the ship approached, about five of them.

Revan was the first out, wanting to be the go between should anything arise. The people of the planet, theChiss,were blue skinned, with jet black hair, and piercing red eyes. Seeing the raven haired woman, they all smiled, waving to her. One of them approached, a young man about Mission's age, who bowed before them. "Greetings to you," he said. "And a welcome return, Lady Revan."

"You know me?"

"Yes ma'am." He replied. "I admit, it's been many years since you have been on our planet, but we have never forgotten the Lady Revan who came and sought our knowledge and history."

"So she's been here before?" Atton asked, casting a look at her.

"Oh yes," the young man replied. "Many times in fact. It was the Lady Revan who helped us build our little village. She is greatly admired."

"I helped you?" Revan asked, some of her worry dissipating. "Build a village?" The young man nodded on both accounts.

"It was after we helped you build your own quarters."

"I…have my own quarters?" she asked.

Again, the blue skinned man confirmed her question and pointed off into the distance, where they could see a much larger house than the majority of the ones that made up this establishment. "You told us to never enter it though when you completed it." He replied. "You said something bad could happen to us."

Revan made a move to walk in the direction of her former home, but was stopped by Kaleb's hand on her arm. "Hold it," he said. "You have no idea what kind of things are hidden in that place and what you may have done there."

Revan shook her head, clearing cobwebs in her brain. "You're right, of course." She said, ashamed she could even want to go back there. "I can't go in there."

"I'll go check it out." Carth whispered. "Maybe it was a bad idea to come here."

Again, Revan shook her head. "We needed to come here." She replied. "But I'm not letting you go alone. Why don't you take Mission and Zaalbar with you?" She looked over at the Twi'lek and the wookie, who both nodded their agreements. She turned to look at the man who had introduced himself to her. "What's your name?" she asked.

"I am Zhardin," he said, bowing once more. "I met you all those years ago, Lady Revan, though I was just a boy when you first came to our world."

"I'm glad to see you again then, Zhardin." Revan replied, giving the young man a smile. "Zhardin, would you show my friends to my quarters? And make sure nothing happens to them, okay? At the first sign of trouble, you come running back here and you get me, all right?"

The young man nodded, happily. Turning to the trio, he said, "Please follow me." He then turned and began heading into the village, the others he was with departing for other parts of the town. The trio took once last look at their comrades and began to follow the young man.

"We're staying?" Kaleb asked.

"Right here." Revan stated, her lips in a grim line. "In fact, none of us are to go anywhere near that building or house or whatever the hell that place is. I don't want anyone who's Force sensitive to go within fifty feet of that place. Got it?"

"Aye aye, Capt'n." Atton said, sarcastically, giving her a mock salute.

"If you enjoyed being on the dark side, Atton," Revan sneered. "Then perhaps you'd like to catch up to the group. I'm sure you'll be able to taste in the dark side then, Force knows you've got the proper abilities to do it now. Or better yet," she stood in front of him, staring him down. "You could always start you previous occupation right now…by getting rid of me. Are you up for it then? Atton?"

The scoundrel just stared at the woman, his demeanor faltering under her gaze. "You know I don't want that." He whispered.

"I didn't think you did." Revan replied. Her gaze softened. "I'm doing this for your own good." Looking at the rest of the crew, she said, "Kaleb's right. I have no idea what's in there and though I think it was a crazy idea letting those three go, it would be much more difficult for anyone of us."

"Statement: Master, perhaps you should have sent me instead of those meatbags. I can easily withstand anything of what you call 'dark energy'."

"No offense, HK," Revan replied, walking over to the droid. "But I don't trust you to stand in the middle of a nursery, more less the middle of a supposed area of dark energy. Besides, how do I know I didn't place some sort of activation protocol in case I came back to the light side? And that as soon as you reach an area of dark energy, you won't turn on me?"

"Exclamation: Master! I am deeply hurt to the bottom of my circuits that you think that I would somehow turn on you."

"That is a bit extreme, Revan." Brianna replied.

"No it's not." The former lord said. "It's exactly something I would do, in the least likely case I was captured by the Jedi and made to serve the light again."

"Talk about keeping your bases covered." Atton mumbled.

"That was plan A." she smirked. "Plan B was to have you kill me."

With that, the raven haired woman left to the quiet of the med bay, leaving the others gasping and staring at Atton.

The peaceful village of the Chiss seemed to be humming with activity, from people rushing to and fro, to little children playing in the street. The trio followed Zhardin along the path, toward a house that was much larger than that of the people of the planet. It was a different color than the rest, a light blue that seemed to radiate in the sunlight. Before reaching the front yard, the young man stopped, causing his companions to stop as well.

"This is as far as I can go," Zhardin replied, looking at the group. "As I said, Lady Revan made us promise her we would never enter her sanctum and we have kept that promise, even in the years we had not heard from her. If you need me, I shall be awaiting you out here."

Carth nodded his agreement, before turning to Mission and Big Z. "You guys ready?" he asked, receiving nods from both. He turned and began to walk towards the house, the other two right behind him. The door was unlocked, so he just pushed it open. The sunlight illuminated the room, which seemed to only be filled with holocrons and data pads, which littered the floor. There was a mat in the center of the room, in the center of the informative archives.

"This place smells of great evil." Zaalbar howled. "A fog hovers over it."

Carth could only nod, looking around him. He knelt down to one of the data pads lying on the ground. Scanning it, he saw it was some sort of partial history on the Great Sith War, the one that took place before the Jedi Civil War; the first war that pit Jedi against each other. Picking up another pad, he scanned this one as well, reading about the Mandalorian race. On the pad seemed to be personal comments and ideas that Revan had during the height of the war.

On yet another pad, this one seemingly a journal of sorts, had been logged by Revan personally.

I still can't believe I'm having the thoughts that I am. It feels so wrong to be secretly planning this way, but I can not deter the feelings I have. I'm sick of them telling us what to do, how to think, how to feel. I know I shouldn't have gone looking for things about the dark side, but something about Malachor, something about that planet almost casts about a malevolent charge in the air.

But now, as I sit here in this hut, this house within the peaceful arms of the Chiss, it seems like this place is evil, the very home I helped build, seems to be drenched in the very thing that the masters warned me about. Should I feel so conflicted? What exactly was I supposed to do? The Republic had cried, pleaded for help and the masters had just dismissed them, dismissed the idea that innocent people were dying.

They dismissed the deaths of their own Jedi! Jonathon Cres and Kelis Flare were heroes and the council has made them nobodies.

And to top it off, Kaleb has been completely changed by this. His whole family is gone, like mine, like Malak's. We already know Kaleb will be an asset to us. I worry about his impatience though, his quick to jump into a battle. He's going to get killed one day, I'm almost certain of it.

I wonder if this is what others felt like, the constant struggle to know if you're right or wrong with your decisions. Should I feel bad about my decision to join the Republic? To turn against the teachings of my masters or the council? I don't think so and I don't believe I will ever feel this way.

So, should I feel bad in my decision to destroy those that dared to stop me? To turn on the council and their precious order, to show them what they led me to? If I can get enough of the Jedi to see things my way, I'm half way there with those with us now, then perhaps we can make a new order. I've been studying about the Sith, learning more about them. Why do the Jedi teach that this ancient race, this ideology of theirs is wrong, when they are able to feel emotion, use it in conjunction with the Force?

The truth is, I can't feel bad about this and I don't. The Jedi deserve everything that come to them, everything I plan to do to them.

Carth was shocked, to say the least. In his hands, was an account of Revan's thoughts, sometime during the Mandalorian War. Sometime during the time when she and Malak had decided that they would return to destroy the Republic and the Jedi. Pocketing the data pad, the soldier continued on his search. Mission, for her part, had found more holos littered on the floor next to the data pads she was stepping over. Seeing a console in the corner, she hurried over to it.

"Find something, Mish?" the pilot asked, sensing the girl's excitement.

"Yeah." She said, over her shoulder. "Come over."

Carth and Big Z walked over to her, all three huddled around the console, wondering what this holo would reveal. Playing it, the figures of Revan and Malak appeared, dressed in the Jedi robes they had been used to wearing. Malak's persona was still the imposing figure, only this time, his face was complete, his jaw strongly attached to his head. Revan, hair in customary ponytail, seemed happy to see the large man.

"So," asked Revan, a smile on her face. "How did it go?"

"It was perfect." The large man chuckled. "They never saw us coming. Kaleb Flare has led us to another victory."

The future dark lord nodded her head.

"He's impressive." Malak replied. "If there was one thing the council did right, it was making him a knight."

"Agreed." She said. "And making him a general may not have initially endeared us to the Republic higher ups, but it garnered the results I wanted."

"The results we wanted." Malak interjected. "We're in this together, Revan."

"I know that, Mal." She sighed. "And with that, we mustn't single out Kaleb against everyone else. Don't forget, in order for this to work, we need as many Jedi and Republic officers on our side. Destroying the Order will gain us the power we want and the solution we need."

"Is gaining the sympathy of these ridiculous puppets really going to help us?"

Revan glared at the large man. "Those ridiculous puppets, as you call them, have risked their lives to save those that weren't being helped by us." She said, her eyes narrowing. "So yes, Malak, gaining the Republic on our side is crucial. The last thing we want is for them to turn on us."

"And those that don't side with our way of thinking?" he asked, a smirk on his lips.

Revan also put a smile on her face, but this one was much more sinister. "Like the Jedi who come against us," she said. "They will be crushed. And for future reference, my dear Malak, take that tone of voice with me again or ask me another one of your asinine questions, I will add you to that list."

Malak took a small gulp, before nodding slowly. "You know I never mean the things I say." He whispered, hoping to be back within her good graces.

The young woman sighed. "We're too close to be arguing," she stated. "If one of us falters, then we all do. I can't do this by myself and either can you. We need to be solid. As soon as we're divided, that's when they'll destroy us. And that will only hinder our plans."

The holo ended right there, leaving the trio looking at the console, then each other. "Should we give this stuff to Revan?" the Twi'lek asked, looking at the pilot.

Carth frowned, unsure of what they should do. Certainly, if they took a few of things, Revan could piece together her past. On the other hand, what if reliving these past transgressions led her back to her former past? "Let's…let's be careful about what we decide to take and leave." He said. "We'll leave this bit of memory lane here."

The trio once again went through the home, finding more notes about the Mandalorians, the Jedi Order, Republic officers…Revan had indeed done her homework when it came to decimating the Mandalorians and crippling the galaxy. The group made a tour around the room, not finding anything they'd want to bring back, but enough to know what Revan's plans had been during the war. The trio took one last look, before heading back outside and meeting up once again with Zhardin.

Revan hoped to seek refuge inside her quarters in the med bay. She sat on her bed, head in her hands, but if she thought she could have peace and quiet, she was wrong.

"And just what do you think you're doing in here?" Jolee asked. "Don't you think you should be getting around to finding that Lyo character?"

"Jolee," Kreia replied. "Surely you can see she's taking time to mediate. Or at least she has the perception of letting us think she is."

"She's probably thinking of new ways to insult the Jedi." Bastila muttered.

"What is this?" Revan asked, sarcastically. "A Jedi party? Don't the three of you have anything else better to do than come down and bother me?"

"On the contrary," Bastila replied, with a grin. "We've actually come down for a purpose and that purpose is to hopefully guide you through this…detour you've taken."

"Detour?" the raven haired woman asked, standing and looking at those dearly departed Jedi. "You think being here is some sort of pleasure cruise? Like I said to myself, 'you know what would be a great vacation spot? Somewhere out in the Unknown Regions. Or even better, how bout a planet I may have fallen to the dark side on? What a great idea, says I!' Come on. Whadda you guys me take for, a complete loon?"

"Well, not completely…" Bastila started, but stopped at the look she received.

"Well thanks, Bas," retorted Revan. "You're a real help." Turning to face the other two Jedi, she said, "And for your information, yes, I plan on taking out this new Sith lord. And if I haven't done it yet, I just wanted to thank you, Kreia, for instillingvalues to such a remarkable team of low down, backstabbing, murderous pupils to control you quest of vengeance."

"A quest that you yourself started, Revan." Kreia replied.

Revan opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't think of anything to dispute what her former teacher had said. "I did do that, didn't I?" she whispered, turning to start pacing. "I certainly did do a great job of destroying the galaxy."

"As I told the council all those years ago," Kreia began. "It was their own beliefs, their own blindness that contributed to the loss of so many. Either by exile, or Force stripping, or even death, the council's own whims caused the death of the Order."

"How exactly were you able to become one with Force, considering your background?" Bastila asked.

"How did you, Jedi Shan?" the old woman retorted. "Being an apprentice to a dark lord should rightly take you out of the running."

Revan glanced at Jolee, seeing the old man close his eyes, hand rubbing his forehead. "I take it this is a common theme in Jedi heaven?" she asked, a small smirk on her face, trying to ignore the small cat fight that was going on around them. The cantankerous man only nodded once. Sighing, she turned to face the women. "All right, that's enough." She said, her voice heightened, but the commanding tone that underlined it was heard by all in the room.

"Now before my companions come in here, thinking I've completely become unhinged," she continued. "Let's keep our voices down, yeah? I don't want anyone knowing about the apparent special report I have with talking to the dead, least it get back to the council, then this whole thing would be for nothing."

"Well said." Jolee replied.

"Thank you." She said, sending a look his way. Turning back to the other specters, she said, "If the two of you are quite finished," she didn't bother to let them answer when she continued. "Perhaps we can get down to business. First and foremost, tell me I'm not on a wild mynock chase or something."

"I told you to follow your instincts and you have." Jolee nodded. "You did a good job in coming here, seeing as you hadn't believed you've been here before."

"Yes, well," the young woman once again began to pace. "It did seem odd to know so much about a planet I had never traveled to."

"Did you forget you wished to be a historian when you were a Jedi?" Kreia asked.

"So, dabbling in the Sith history is trait shared by all Jedihistorians?" Revan retorted. "It didn't seem to stop at you. Or Atris."

"Ah," Kreia said. "But what is it that turns a Jedi into a Sith?"

Revan went to reply, but thought about the question. "Restrictions." She said.

"I thought so too," Jolee replied. "Too many damn restrictions, no fun what so ever."

"A Jedi can't be going around having fun all the time." Bastila interjected. "We have things to do…"

"People to convert, people to save?" Revan asked, a sarcastic smile on her face. "It's good to have you around, Bas. It's essential to have a voice of reason."

"And I'm sure you're that voice." The Jedi Knight replied, a small smile on her face.

"So what next, girlie?" Jolee asked. "Now that you're on this planet, what kind of plans you got going?"

The raven haired woman bit her bottom lip, hesitant to speak. "Um…" she began. "Technically, I really don't have a plan, as of yet, but I'm sure I can think of one real quick. If I need to, that is."

"You don't even have a plan?" asked Bastila.

Revan shrugged, while Kreia let out a cackle. "Yes," the old woman said with mirth. "That's the Revan I remember. Without a plan of action until the last moment, but always ready with a tactical mind if needed."

"You'd better get a plan." Jolee said, sternly.

"The dark lord Lyo lies in wait for you, Revan." Replied Bastila.

"He has learned well, my former pupil." Said Kreia. "All that he knows of you is mostly my doing. And in doing so, I have brought about your demise and that of Kaleb Flare."

"Have you so little faith in me now, my master?" Revan asked, a grin on her face. "Don't worry. I don't think you've done anything to ensure my demise. Hell, even your own apprentices couldn't stop Kaleb. Not even you and you were one of the great wielders of the lightsaber, your skill rarely had an equal."

"Except for you."

A predatory smirk replaced the grin on the young woman's face. "No worries." She said. "I'll defeat your dark lord and his kath hounds. And I'll return to the Republic and the Jedi as a hero. Again. Then, I'll put in for those favors the council owes me."

"Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds a bit?" Bastila asked, a bit anxiously.

"No." Revan replied, simply. "Because they owe me. And after this, I'm going to be in charge of every decision they decide to make upon my being." Embolden and confident, the woman walked out to address her crew, leaving the three apparitions just standing there.

"Arrogant and overconfident." Bastila replied. "That's what made her fall the last time."

"And you, young Knight." Kreia said, causing the young woman to stiffen in remembrance. "Do not forget it."

"How can I when you keep reminding me every minute?"

"All right, ladies," Jolee started, hearing the tone his young companion used. "Let's see how well Revan handles this before we start getting into falls and redemptions." The three shimmered away, wondering what this course would lead to.

For Revan, she now felt a strange kind of euphoria. Knowing that Lyo was waiting for her, meant he could know where they were. But, if he sent his troops after her, perhaps she could find out exactly where he was, preventing any destruction he could cause. She suddenly became cooped up within the ship. Walking out to where the other Force sensitives sat around the main hold, she said, "I'm feeling restless. Who wants to go on a tour?"

It was done.

It was finished.

He watched as her body fell to the bottom of what ever pit had opened before him, sending his mentor's body within it. He couldn't believe what had happened, couldn't believe that after all this time, all these years, answers had come to him, had finally come to him and for what? There were still questions that needed to be answered, that had somehow slipped under the radar of his knowledge.

Again.

But now, along with these questions that needed answers, he was now aware of things he could've done, events that he could've shaped differently. 'The Lost Jedi'. He had been traveling with those who were the Lost Jedi, people like him, who had been exiled or forgotten by the Jedi Order. Atton, well he could see Atton as one of those and Visas. And possibly Bao. Brianna? There lies the question to an answer he would probably never know.

And Kreia, his mentor, his teacher. The woman he would've done anything for and had. She had brought the Force back to him and even when his crewmates had tried to tell him differently, he had viewed them as the enemy for a time. They were just like the council, trying to prevent him from truly obtaining the power he deserved, the power…Shaking his head clear, he once again looked down within that pit and wondered if he should be there as well.

He was so confused, so…tormented. What had he done? He had cast his teacher into a horrible bit of doom, his master. And she had wanted him to, wanted him to destroy her, because she felt her goal had been for naught. Had he truly understood what she wanted from him? Did he understand what she had told him? That for every good deed, he could only bring destruction to those thatwere with him. The Sith…they had fed off his pain, off his anger, off his hurt, and had used it to bring devastation to the galaxy.

And he had helped them do it.

He had only been too happy to follow through with the training that he had missed while in Revan's service. When he realized what his new job would be, he had gone through the ritual of gaining his tattoo, Malak at his side, watching as they marked him with his rank within the assassins. But then, Revan had sent him away to face his judgment by the council, to face what those two would not. And where were the Sith when he needed their help? Where were they when the council exiled him for his 'crime'? No where. And now they had the nerve to hunt him?

A blinding pain hit him instantly, hitting his chest and spreading out through his body. It was unlike any pain he had ever felt before and it left him breathless. Falling to one knee, he clutched his chest, seeing debris beginning to fall around him. "Bao…" he groaned, hoping the Iridonian would hear. "Now. Do it now." He felt his very life being sucked from him, his heart beating wildly out of control, as though it would burst forth.

He fell to his back, telling Bao-Dur one last time to activate the mass shadow generators. It would be for good this time, the level being the highest, which would completely destroy the planet. He clutched his chest again, another series of shocks hitting his system. He was going to die there, there would be no doubt. But his crew would be safe, he could hope for that. After all he had put them through, the least he could do was hope they were safer without him to put them in danger.

He lay back on the tiled platform, looking up at the lights that hung above. His body was fading, he could feel it, and he could longer move, except to try and steady a breath. He blinked a few times, feeling so very tired. His eyes closed, then opened dimly, then closed again.

"My my, exile," replied a voice. "You do seem to find yourself in the most unnecessary predicaments."

Opening his eyes, he stared straight into a red light. No, no, no. Not him. Force, not him.

"It seems that I will once again have to shoulder the responsibility for your inexcusable fumble."

That greedy bastard! He's probably going to sell me for that fraking bounty!

A new wave of pain hit his body, causing a small moan to escape his lips. He was in agony, pure agony and this metal bastard was going to sell him for credits. But what could he do? The planet was crumbling around them. He tried to smile, knowing neither of them would be getting off this planet. They would die here and that's what he wanted.

It wasn't the person he wanted to die with, but they were the two worst people to the galaxy.

And they deserved to die.

Kaleb wokewith a start, causing those around him to glance in his direction. Since the incident with Revan, everyone just hung out in the main hold, having nothing else to do really, but sit and wait until their party returned. It was during this wait that Kaleb had closed his eyes, hoping to have a short mediation as he sat in front of the console in the middle of the floor. But he had surprised himself by thinking of the past, of his escape from the Trayus Core, his escape from the dark side hold that hung over him.

He didn't remember what immediately happened after GO-TO had found him, but he remembered coming to in a small medic wing, on some planet close to Nar Shaddaa. He didn't wait around for his 'rescuer' to return, so he hopped on the first shuttle out, which ironically lead him right back to Dantooine, which is where he spent his time. He had begun doing odd jobs for Terena Adare, like helping with the defenses once more, before making his way back inside the ruined enclave.

It was perfect place, really. Most of the scavengers had already taken off with the more valuable trinkets and Jedi prizes, so there was no point in returning to the place. He had peace and quiet, well at least as much peace as he could while sitting in an enclosed circle with three dead bodies rotting in front of you. He felt this was his punishment, his retribution for what they had done, what he had done.

Though he had come far from the young man who had felt so lost, he couldn't shake the memories of that time. He must have been incredibly shakened, because Brianna had come to him, standing behind him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and placing a kiss on the back of his head. It was a comfort, but also a surprise. They weren't as public about their affection as Carth and Revan were. Though most of the crew knew something was going on between them, they had never shown their affection for one another outside of their own private moments.

Kaleb was just beginning to relax in his lover's embrace, when there came sounds from the med bay. They heightened for a moment before becoming quiet once more. Nearly five minutes went past before Revan reappeared to them, a new confident air around her. "I'm feeling restless." she stated. "Who wants to go on a tour?"

The group looked at her before looking skeptically at each other. "Didn't you say...?" Atton began, but was cut off by the raven haired woman.

"I said not to go near that...house of mine," she replied. "I said nothing about exploring the planet. So? What do you say? Anyone?"

The scoundrel shrugged. "Not like I have anything better to do."

"I too would like to join you, Revan." Visas replied.

"Cool." the young woman said, a big smile on her face. "You guys gonna hang out? I mean, if you wanna come..."

Kaleb shook his head. "We'll wait for the others." he said, Bao and Brianna nodding in agreement.

"Statement: Master, are you sure you'll be all right? I am certainly capable to handle any types of untoward meatbag behavior."

Revan chuckled. "I'll be fine, HK." Looking at the others as she began heading towards the loading ramp, she said,"Right, well...see you in a bit."

The others watched the group go before turning to look at each other. "What was that about?" Bao asked.

Kaleb shrugged. "She may have been restless." he said. "You know Revan. She can't sit still for five minutes. Besides, she might just need something to take her mind off of whatever's going on with Carth and the others. If they find something...Look, I'd rather not think about that either. As long as she keeps away from that house and what could be in it, we'll be fine. I like the happy, chipper, slightly off the beam Revan. It's the taking over the galaxy Revan we can't have back."

"Statement: Oh, I don't know, Master. I quite liked the old master better to this one. Hence why I was happy to see you aboard, sir. I wanted to tell you how I delighted in your senseless maiming of lower class organics. Observation: It is a shame that our wanderings have not more of an ample arena for killing. Observation: And you, Master, have gotten quite...how was it put?...oh yes! 'Soft' in this new setting."

"HK, that's enough." Brianna replied, sensing Kaleb's annoyance through their link.

"Soft?" the assassin repeated, trying to stand but Brianna kept a firm grip on his shoulder. "I'll show you soft!"

"No, you won't." seethed the former handmaiden.

"Mocking Statement: Oh, I'm sure you will, Master. However, if you pry yourself away from the female organic long enough to test out your theory, I would love to show my full capabilities to you."

The soft spoken alien couldn't help but chuckle at the scene before him. "I said it before and I'll it again. Be thankful he's on our side."

To be an assassin, one must have cunning and secrecy. One must be able to lurk without someone's knowledge and be prepared to jump into action once battle begins. Though Zairia had yet to take her true Sith test, she knew she would pass and become not only apprentice to her master, but a classified assassin as well. She had already picked her Sith tattoo and she would wear it with honor, unlike the ones her master sought.

She still did not understand why her master wanted these...traitors. They were traitors to not only to the Sith, but their own kind, the Jedi and the Republic. Was it the power they possessed? Certainly the former lady Revan was known for her mastery of the lightsaber and her tactics had led the crippled Republic to victory in the Mandalorian War. And the assassin Kaleb Flare had been known for his brutality with the Mandalorians and his command of the Force was stronger now that he had tasted the power in the dark side, that more Sith had been annihilated by him last year alone than any time Revan had fought them during the Star Forge fiasco.

Zairia couldn't help but have some respect for these warriors, but that's where the line was drawn. They were foolish, at best, thinking they could defeat them, defeat her master. It just couldn't happen. Lyo was a true Sith and they had been the once powerful race to ever be on Korriban and they made the planet what it was. The Sith were to be celebrated, not condemned! Maybe that is why her master wanted these two so badly. Because they shared traits with them, with the ancient Sith. People who needed to be celebrated, but had returned as condemned by their people.

The Iridonian could go on and on, but currently, she and her men were waiting for signs of Revan. They had been there for a day and only this afternoon did they see those that Revan called her friends and crew. The pilot...the lady's lover, she had been told...the Twi'lek girl, and the Wookie had all gone into a large hut earlier. They waited to see if Revan would follow, but she did not. So they left, sneaking back over to the hanger, until they saw her.

To say the alien was impressed would be an insult. This was the woman her master had hunted? This was the former lady of the Sith? The former commander of the Republic troops? The former Jedi Knight? She was a whisp of a thing! Zairia would have no problems in taking that schutta. Her master must have seen lust when he considered this trash a worthy asset. Accompanying the woman was another, dressed in red and black robes. Sith robes. And with them was a man, wearing nothing but street clothing.

These scraps wouldn't even put up a fight.

The alien and her men followed discreetly, watching and waiting. Finally, the trio managed to get turned around into a large dead end. This woman had lead troops? She couldn't even fight her way out of a synthetic pouch!

"Damn," Revan muttered, shaking her head at the brick wall in front of them. "I'm always getting lost. It's a wonder I can find my way to the fresher each day."

Turning, the trio was greeted by a tall Iridonian woman, dressed in the traditional garb of a Sith apprentice. Two sets of two dark Jedi flanked either side of her. "I don't suppose you're here to hand us a trusty map, are you?" Revan joked. When no one else laughed at her, she sighed. "I thought not."

"I had hoped to bring you and the exile to my master, Lady Revan." Zairia began. "But I have decided that if you can't get past me or my men, than you are clearly unworthy of my master's time."

"All we have to do is get past you and the core slime elite?" Atton asked, looking at Revan and Visas with a grin on his face. "Shouldn't be too hard."

"Hey look," Revan began, looking at the quintet before her. "I don't have a beef with you. I don't even want to be in the middle of this thing. I mean, come on. I got an honest face, right? You don't want to do this."

"The hell I don't." Zairia replied, pulling out her lightsaber. The men behind her followed suit. "I have heard nothing but rave reviews, Revan, but all I see before me is a broken down Jedi. I don't think you remember what it's like to have real power and not the Jedi shite you like to feed to people. So fight me, Lady Revan, if you can indeed defeat me."

"I don't want to hurt you." Revan replied, but her hand was on her lightsaber. "But I will if you keep this up."

"I bet all that stuff is just stories by the Jedi." replied one dark Jedi.

"All Revan is a low down, flithy traitor." said another. "One of the Jedi's kinrath pups, licking at the heels of a beaten Republic."

"You watch what you say, Junior." Atton said, angrily, one of his lightsabers pointing at the man who spoke.

"One last chance." Revan said. "Cause if you don't take it, I'm gonna have to kill you."

"Come and try, Jedi scum!"

The hiss of lightsabers was already in the air before two of the dark Jedi on Zairia's right were blown back by a Force Push, while those on her left were already suffering from Visas' dark side power of Insanity. That left Revan to pursue Zairia, who thankfully had brought up her own immunity to the Force. But that didn't mean Revan would be shooting at her with Force powers, oh no. In fact, while the former lord of the Sith went about attacking the alien with such a ferocious offense, the accompanying Jedi, having dispatched her own dark Jedi, set about hurling all different sorts of Force powers at her, wearing down her protection until Revan finally caught her in a swipe at her stomach.

The alien apprentice went down.

The trio went to work at scavenging their loot, taking various med pacs and stims, to the lightsabers all five possessed. Turning to her companions, Revan replied, "Come on. I have a feeling this isn't the only welcoming committee we're going to get here."

They quickly headed back to the Hawk, seeing the return of Zhardin. The young man was surprised to see his friend outside of the ship and even more surprised when she told him to completely destroy her former sanctuary. She spoke briefly to the 'leader' of the community, who had come to say hello to the young woman. She instructed him, again, to destroy what had once been hers and even gave him a couple of thermal detonators to ensure the job would be done correctly.

Heading back on the ship, the trio was surprised to see everyone huddled in the main hold, but upon looking at the figure who had garnered their attention, it wasn't a shock anymore. "Ah," Lyo replied, his holo turning to face her. "Lady Revan. I had wondered when you would return. I had to take necessary measures to even get a location from your shipmates." He gestured behind him, where Carth and Zaalbar were looking after an unconscious Mission. "Now that you're back, perhaps we can get down to business."

"I agree." she replied, coldly. "I just had a run in with a few of your men. I had my associates take care of them. Oh, and I killed your little kinrath pup while I was at it."

Lyo's face grew darker in anger, but he quickly put on a smile. "No matter." he said, barely controlling his facade. "Zairia was just filling in your spots beside me."

"How many times are we going to have to say no to you?" Kaleb asked, sarcastically.

"As of twenty standard minutes ago," Lyo continued, pretending not to have heard the assassin. "My armada landed and put Corelia under martial law. I've already dispatched another fleet to destroy everything on Coruscant." He let his words linger for a bit. "Now, I ask you again, Revan, Kaleb. Do you stand with me or against me?"

"You come ten feet within Coruscant, and you're asking for it." Revan retorted.

"Don't be a fool!" the little man exclaimed. "You are no match for me! There is no Jedi in the galaxy that can help you. Just you and your rag tag crew, most of which are former Sith! You can not stand against me, Revan, and if you do, it will be your end. Now join me!"

"Insistent little mynock, isn't he?" Kaleb joked, causing a smile to land on Revan's face.

"That he is." the woman replied. "So, I guess we'll have to show him a thing or two." Looking up at the holo, Revan's smile grew bigger. "You obviously underestimate what I'm capable of, Lyo." she said. "And to answer you, no. We're not joining you, because frankly, I'd rather drink down a whole bottle of Mandalorian whiskey than to join the ranks of a small, blushing tyrant who's only claim to fame is that he was handed the mantle of dark lord because my friend here did him the favor of destroying the three that were standing in your way.

"You know," she said. "That's a pretty weak way of becoming a dark lord. Here you are thinking you're my equal, when in reality, you're no better than Malak. And Malak had some real circuits for getting on my bad side. Now, you have about twenty minutes to call back those ships or I'm going to find you and kill you. Your choice."

Lyo looked fit to be tied. "It will be my name that they chant instead of yours, Revan." he seethed. "I will make the Mandalorian and Jedi Civil Wars look like some planetary skirmish! The galaxy will be mine. Come and take from me if you dare."

"I dare." Revan growled, her eyes narrowing at the Sith lord. The holo shut down, leaving the young woman still heaving from her encounter.

"What now?" asked Kaleb.

"We call his bluff."

Hey folks! Sorry again for the dely here, but as you can see, we are approaching war! And looking at my notes, we are also approaching the end of this fic. Now, here are some things in the works: I will have a prequel to this, that will basically go over a lot of people's backgrounds before the mandalorian war. I'm also toying with a fic that will be little snippets of romance like things. That's a maybe though.

But a bigger thing...actually, there are two. Number 1: For those of you that don't know, the unofficial KOTOR fan site has a new link and a new look. You can find it here I will be posting a REVISED edition of this fic over there. I'm definitely fixing some mistakes in this and clearing up some things that don't hook together within the entire story. So far, I have the prologue through Ch. 2 there, no rush. But I'd like it if you great reviewers stopped by and left a review. That be nice.

The number two thing is, my roommate finally bought the original KOTOR and this time around, I wanted to explore the whole Revan/Bastila thing. So...last night, the coolest fic idea came to me. Seeing as this will be my second time through on both games, I'll be writing another fic for that. Don't worry, folks. This fic will have NOTHING to do with FoE. Totally seperate thing and from what my mind came up with, much darker than this fic here. So, I hope you are look forward to that. As always, love reviews and comments! I hope to be a little faster in getting the next chapter out, hopefully next weekend!