It was wearing off. Whatever had kept Revan in a state between sleeping and waking was finally wearing off. She didn't know whether they had decided to stop injecting her with the numbing fluid or whether they had simply forgotten about it, but she knew that she now had more control over her body than she had done in days. The pain was almost gone now, but she gladly would have suffered it if it meant being free of her comatose state. She was gradually beginning to get control of her heavy limbs, although she still couldn't speak. All day she had fought through the fog shrouding her mind, and now when the girl spoke to her she could understand her perfectly. She desperately tried to talk back, but her tongue felt like a useless lump of lead in her mouth.
Then a new voice, this one familiar, began to speak to her. At first she thought it was a dream; she had dreamed of him, and the others she loved, more than a hundred times since her accident. But then he touched her. In her dreams no one ever touched her. They always faded away before they could reach her, before they could help her. When she felt his fingertips, his unmistakable battle toughened skin, she knew he was real. She redoubled her struggles. So absorbed in her efforts, she was only vaguely aware of other people entering the room. One word, however, did penetrate her mind. Execute. It was an order. She heard Carth shouting and struggling, and then a muffled cry as someone struck him. Her terror and anger were enough to finally bring her fully back to reality.
As Drystan slammed the door shut behind him, Revan opened her eyes.
Keir watched from the shadows as Jana was pushed roughly down the corridor. He had a feeling she was going to get herself into trouble, even though she had refused to share with him precisely what her plans were. Never mind. He had plans of his own, and from what he had heard of Drystan's commands it was time to put them into action. Over the last few days he had been recruiting. He had been speaking to those he knew to be sympathetic to Melor, who wanted to see him take over as leader of the clan. There were many who had agreed to fight for him. Keir knew that if he was given the chance he could persuade more people to join his cause, but time had run out. Melor would never forgive him for Jana's death when there was a ready made army that could have prevented it.
Sinking further back into the shadows, he ran to rally the supporters he had gathered.
The guards dragged Carth and Jana back towards the cell, almost yanking them down to the ground in their haste. Drystan followed behind them, a small smile of grim satisfaction on his face. As they neared the cell, its occupants peered through the bars, worry registering on their features as they realised who the guards were escorting. Drystan pulled the lever to open the gate and Carth and Jana were thrown unceremoniously inside. The gate crashed shut behind them. They were instantly surrounded by the others, who helped them to their feet but trained cautious gazes on Jana.
"You two," Drystan ordered, indicating two of the guards. "Watch the doors. No one is to come in here, understand?" The two guards nodded and hurried off to their assigned posts. Drystan turned to the remaining guard. "You will carry out the execution." He pulled out his blaster and threw it to the guard, who fumbled with it and almost dropped it before getting a firmer grip. Drystan grinned savagely at Jana, who stared back furiously. "You won't mind if I don't stay and watch?" He asked her before turning his back and walking towards the door. "Start with him." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at Carth. "And don't spare his companions. They must have known about this." He called as he exited the room.
The guard stepped forwards, raising the blaster. Bastila quickly leapt in front of Carth and stared hard into the eyes of the would be assassin.
"Stand aside, Jedi." He ordered.
Bastila remained where she was and maintained eye contact. "You do not want to hurt this man." She said calmly.
The guard faltered slightly, lowering his weapon by the tiniest of fractions. "W-What?"
"You do not want to hurt this man." Bastila repeated.
The guard was silent for a long time, his expression blank. Then a smile spread slowly over his face and laughter erupted from his chest. "Foolish Jedi!" He spat. "You think you can trick me? I am trained to resist your mind games. Now stand aside or I will kill you first."
Bastila shook her head. "I won't let you hu-"
"Bastila!" Carth growled. "Get out of the way."
"No, Carth!" She turned her sharp gaze on him. "I won't let this happen."
Carth looked pleadingly at Zalbaar, who was doing his best to comfort a trembling Mission. Without needing to be told what to do, Zalbaar nodded to Carth and crossed the cell, wrapping his strong arms around Bastila and pulling her away. She struggled desperately but Zalbaar only tightened his grip. As Bastila fought to free herself, Mission watched Carth with tears streaming silently down her face. The guard had raised his blaster again, aiming it at Carth's head. He flashed him a grin as he tightened his finger on the trigger. Carth closed his eyes and waited for the sound of the blaster firing, the sound that would mean his death.
But it didn't come. Instead there was a sharp intake of breath and a clatter as something hard hit the floor. Carth risked opening his eyes a crack, and then they flew wide open in astonishment. The guard's mouth was hanging open, moving but not making any sound. He stared down in uncomprehending disbelief at the blue lightsaber protruding from his chest. Before he could act, or even think, a purple lightsaber flew through the air and sliced into his neck, sending his head rolling across the floor. He crumpled to his knees and toppled sideways.
Behind him, pale face flecked with blood, stood Revan. Carth froze, unable to speak, but Mission squealed. Bastila, who hadn't noticed Revan's arrival during her tussle with Zalbaar, suddenly caught sight of her and became still. Zalbaar himself dropped his captive. Revan calmly stepped over the body of the man she had just slaughtered and approached the gate. To everyone's surprise, she spoke not to her friends but to Jana, who had been silent since she was thrown into the cage.
"Are you her?" Revan demanded. "Are you the one who has protected me?" Jana nodded mutely and Revan smiled. "It's my turn to protect you. I'll get you out of here safely." She finally turned to her friends and her smile widened. She lifted her hand and the lever flicked forwards, rising the gate of the cell. They all paused momentarily and then everyone, with the exception of Jana, rushed forwards to greet Revan. Carth reached her first and swept her into an embrace that would have crushed all of the air out of any other woman. She responded by wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his neck, while he silently showered kisses onto the top of her head, still not able to talk. Beside her Mission still cried, but now her tears were mixed with laughter. Bastila smiled broadly as she pulled her into a one armed hug. Zalbaar gave voice to a low, triumphant growl.
Revan only allowed a few moments for the reunion. She disentangled herself reluctantly from Carth, placing a brief kiss on his lips before pulling away. He clung to her hand, unwilling to let her go. "Not that I'm nothing less than thrilled to see you," She grinned around at them. "But we need to go. It won't be long before someone notices this mess." She gestured to the body at her feet.
"How are we going to get out?" Bastila asked, removing her arm from around Mission's shoulders.
Revan shrugged. "It's pretty late so we should be able to sneak out. If not, then there'll be one hell of a fight." As she spoke she unsheathed two virbroblades from her belt and handed one each to Zalbaar and Bastila. She then produced two blasters which went to Mission and Jana.
"Where did you get these?" Mission asked as she holstered her new weapon.
"From the morons guarding the door." She slid the tip of her boot under the dead executioner's blaster and flicked it up into the air, catching it deftly. She handed it to Carth, who accepted it reluctantly and without looking at it. Frowning, she stared at Bastila as she swung the vibroblade experimentally. She shook her head and muttered, "That won't do."
Bastila looked up from her weapon. "What?"
"That sword." Revan pointed. "You're much more useful with a lightsaber." She unclipped one of the lightsabers from her belt and held it out to Bastila. When Bastila hesitated, she shook it impatiently and urged her to take it.
"Are you sure about this?" She asked as she gingerly took the weapon.
"Yes." Revan said firmly. "If we run into trouble we'll need you on top form; and you're best with a lightsaber." Before Bastila could protest any more, Revan beckoned the rest of the group to follow her. As they headed towards the large archway that led to the rest of the settlement, Revan slowed her pace and dropped back to walk besides Jana. She began to speak quietly in Mando'a, hoping that none of the others would overhear.
"I meant what I said before." She murmured. "For whatever reason, you protected me and tried to save me at great risk to yourself." Revan paused, and when Jana didn't respond she pushed on. "You showed me kindness that I would never have expected to receive from a stranger. I won't let that go unrewarded. I will get you out of here, safe and unharmed, away from whoever it is that torments you."
Revan looked at Jana and was surprised to see a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything another Mandalorian ran into the room, blaster in hand. Everyone raised their weapons, preparing themselves for an attack. But before blows could be exchanged, Jana ran to the head of the group, waving her arms and shaking her head. "No!" She shouted. "It's okay! He's a friend, he won't hurt us." When she was sure that no one would start a fight, she turned to Keir. "What are you doing here?" She hissed.
Keir gaped around her at Revan. "I thought she was…?"
"Me too. But she woke up. And don't ask me how because I don't know."
Composing himself, Keir cleared his throat and tore his eyes away from Revan. "I heard Drystan talking. I heard the order he gave."
Jana grimaced. "We'd all be dead by now if it wasn't for-" A loud crash from the next room interrupted her. Everyone stared nervously at the door and Jana gave Keir a questioning look.
"Since Melor was expelled, I've been recruiting people who wish to see him become clan leader. They agreed to fight for him. When I heard the order for your execution I decided it was time to begin the revolt. Drystan has ordered his lackeys to kill anyone loyal to Melor." Here he jerked his head towards the door. "That's what you can hear?"
"Is Melor here?" Jana's voice was trembling.
Keir shook his head. "No; but I dispatched a messenger to him so he should arrive soon." Another loud bang came from the room next door and he glanced over his shoulder nervously. When he turned back to Jana his expression was urgent. "But that's not what matters. You need to get out of here; you have to get as far away from this place as possible."
"But I want to help Melor."
"No." He gripped Jana by the arms and stared at her sternly. "If anything should ever happen to you he'd never forgive me. You need to leave."
A firm hand dropped onto Jana's shoulder. When she turned her head she discovered that Revan was standing behind her, her eyes fixed on Keir's. "I will escort her out of the settlement."
Keir stared at her warily, seeming to debate whether Revan could be trusted or not. The noise of nearby blaster fire finally forced him to make up his mind. "Alright." He nodded. "With some luck, you'll be able to slip out unnoticed in all the chaos. But I'll leave the room first to create a distraction." He briefly wished them luck and then ran from the room, raising his blaster again. Bastila, who had been translating the exchange for Zalbaar and Mission, now became silent. Everyone stared at Revan, waiting for instructions.
"If we're going to go we need to go now." She sighed. "Stick to the shadows and keep your weapons ready, but don't use them if it's not necessary. Only fight when it's unavoidable. That way we might be able to get out of here with only a few cuts and bruises." With a last worried look at her friends, she began to lead the way out of the room and into battle.
Revan had thought Keir was being optimistic when he said that they would be able to get away unnoticed, but his guess wasn't far from the truth. The Mandalorians were far too busy killing each other to bother with the escaping prisoners. Although Revan hadn't walked the passageways of the settlement for years, she remembered them well and it wasn't long before they found themselves in front of the huge double doors that lead to the beach. She pushed the doors open and forced everyone else to go outside before her. She was about to follow when she realised something was wrong. Jana was missing.
Frantically, without thinking to tell anyone, Revan began to retrace her steps. She had only gone a few paces when she found her. One of the larger Mandalorians had knocked her to the floor, and he was now towering over her. He held her down by pushing his heavy boot onto her chest, and his blaster hovered over her face. Jana batted at his leg helplessly, desperately trying to catch her breath. Revan knew she wouldn't be able to reach them in time. Instead, she flung her lightsaber through the air. It pierced the Mandalorian's side, sending him to the floor.
Jana's chest heaved as she gulped in air. She pushed herself onto her side and smiled gratefully over at Revan. The smile froze on her face. She screamed, but the words were lost in the noise of battle. She pointed at something behind Revan, urging her to turn around. Revan obeyed; but it was too late. She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, and warm fluid began to soak her simple robes. The sword had sliced straight through her. She tried to grip it, to pull it out, but the metal just bit into her hands. The gloating face of her Mandalorian attacker began to blur. Slowly, she sank to her knees, struggling for air. Her breath rattled in her throat. She was dimly aware of someone shouting her name, and of heavy boots thudding towards her, and then all was darkness.