Revan
Two standard days passed without event. During the hours of daylight Revan alternated between meditation and sparring with either of the Jedi or Canderous. In the evenings Carth convinced her to sneak out to the Ebon Hawk where they spent the night in each others arms. They would return to the Raptor before dawn while their friends slept.
Revan knew she was treading dangerous ground with Carth. Each moment alone with him was going to make it more difficult to leave him again. That he had been reunited with Dustil was a great comfort. At least she could tell herself Carth would not be alone when the others returned to Coruscant.
And now that Dustil's apprenticeship with her was coming to an end she meant to resume her pursuit of the Emperor. The Star Maps had been a small diversion. They had found other people, or had been found by others in need, along the way. Together with her Padawan they had helped those unable to fend for themselves. But the darkness was always there, always waiting in her dreams. Revan could sense it, a tangled web with the Emperor sitting at its middle. Nor had she to dared stir the web as long as Dustil remained at her side.
Finish the Hutt's fight and I'm free.
The preparations to leave had to be subtle. Revan went about them carefully. Intending to take the Hawk it would be necessary to resolve the matter of the ships impounding. To this end she would utilize T3. On the third day Revan withdrew to a secluded corner of the Raptor and issued the droids new instructions.
"Send a message to HK first," Revan said softly to T3. The droid seemed to stare sadly as though these new orders were wrong. It's just my own sense of guilt. Nothing more."Instruct him to make for Wayland with all possible haste."
T3 chirped in acknowledgement and shifted on its treads. Revan closed to droids access panel. "You have everything you need to clear security and get the Hawk out of here. Wait for the fight to begin, it will be easiest to go unnoticed with everyone's attention diverted. I'll meet you on Wayland."
With the droids orders in place Revan returned to the crew cabin where the others were breaking for the midday meal. She joined them taking a seat beside Carth.
"We need to discuss what our plan is for after the fight," Canderous told the group. Revan found herself suddenly still, the guilt of her clandestine efforts bubbling to the surface. I've been so careful. What do you know?
"Canderous is right," Bastila said. Revan couldn't meet her friends gaze. "He and I have been discussing the best way to handle this. Dustil, where does Motta usually watch these events?"
"Motta likes to play announcer. I haven't seen it for myself, but I hear he does the announcing from a private viewing suite at the top of the arena. Supposedly it serves for entertaining special guests," Dustil replied.
"Sibba Motta strikes me as the type who would want us close by during Revan's match. He'd like to watch our reactions to her danger as much the battle itself," Bastila said.
"Sounds about right," Dustil snorted before taking a drink.
"If I'm to use my Battle Meditation to assist Revan, I'll need to be someplace else. Somewhere private," Bastila said.
"The rest of us will have to be prepared for more of the Hutt's treachery. As soon as the fight is over Motta should release Dustil from the force collar. If he tries anything we have to force him too remove it. We may also have to fight our way out of there," Canderous added. Revan looked at him. The prospect of fighting his way out of the Hutt's place seemed like a favorable outcome to the Mandalorian.
"Most of his people seem like petty thugs," Dustil said. He frowned slightly. "They wouldn't be much of a match. They're the kind of people who break legs when someone doesn't pay a debt on time."
"Considering Motta isn't likely to allow you in armed, that's probably for the best," Revan pointed out. "Okay Bastila where do you plan on being?"
"There's a locker room of sorts where I waited before my matches," Dustil suggested.
"That's where I shall wait then," Bastila agreed.
Revan leaned back and folded her arms over her chest. She considered the plan silently. Of course it all depend on the Hutt. With his resources he could hire an army to keep either herself or Dustil here on Gargon. But, if like Dustil proposed, and Motta was only going to rely on a few small time enforcers Revan was confident they could fight their way out if it came down to it.
"Alright, so Canderous, Carth, Jolee, Zaalbar and Mission will be there to ensure Motta releases Dustil from the restraint," Revan said slowly.
"Wait, Mission? Why her?" Dustil asked.
"Why not me?" Mission shot back. The young man blushed in the face of her anger.
"It's just, if things come down to a fight I don't think that's a good place for you to be," he tried to explain.
"And why not? I can handle myself just fine thank you very much!" Mission was on her feet now, glaring at Dustil who sat in shocked silence at the other end of the table.
Beneath the table Revan felt Carth's hand on her leg. They exchanged a quick look, Revan as surprised as he was. Dustil had recovered from the young Twi'lek's furious outburst.
"I'm concerned about you! What's wrong with that?" Dustil demanded.
"Yeah, well I didn't ask you to be!" Mission snapped.
"That's quite enough you two," Bastila said sharply. "Mission, please sit down. We do not need you arguing like children. Dustil, you do not give Mission enough credit. She is a resourceful young woman."
"And after the fight? Are we to meet back here at the ship?" Jolee asked, acting as though nothing had happened.
"That's the plan," Canderous said.
"What about the Ebon Hawk? I'd hate to leave her behind," Carth said. Revan hid a grimace. She had figured this was going to come up eventually.
"I've given T3 instructions to liberate the ship when the fight begins," Revan said looking at the table. She traced a design on the surface with her finger, forcing her thoughts to remain neutral. The Jedi was aware Bastila was watching her. "We can meet the little guy on Wayland, I saw you stopped there on the way here."
"You aren't just a pretty face after all," Carth smiled, his hand laying lovingly over hers. Revan forced a smile and struggled to meet his eyes. He squeezed her fingers. "It will be nice to return to Coruscant in the Hawk."
Mission Vao
"What's wrong Mission?" Zaalbar asked. Her oldest friend had come in search of her, to find her sitting in her bunk. Mission had been half heartedly building a security spike. Now she was just playing with the unfinished piece.
"It's nothing Big Z," Mission sighed. She had been furious over Dustil Onasi's suggestion she would be in harms way as a part of their plans. It was an anger that had brushed against the lingering resentment she felt about his attitude towards his fathers love life. "Hey, Big Z, do you think Revan and Carth are good together?"
"Their union was a good omen. They should be happy together," Zaalbar chuffed, obviously confused by the random question.
"Yeah, I know right? I mean, they just go together. How could anyone be mad about that?"
"Mission you aren't making any sense."
She turned her large dark eyes onto Zaalbar, her face scrunched into a sour expression.
"That's the problem! It doesn't make sense!" Mission exclaimed. She tossed the security spike onto the bed. "He's so rude! But, at the same time, I don't really want to be angry with him. Even though he totally deserves it!"
"Um, who are you talking about?"
Mission looked helplessly at Zaalbar, then moaned and buried her face in both hands for embarrassment.
Bastila Shan
"I want to discuss something with you," Bastila said to Revan, who was on her way to join Carth in the cockpit.
"Oh?" Revan asked. Bastila nodded her head to indicate the Raptor's empty communications room. In the main cabin Dustil and Jolee were going over a history lesson.
"You made plans about the Hawk, without telling anyone," Bastila began when they were alone. Revan's expression was impassive. She remained standing just inside the room, hands clasped lightly at her back, waiting for Bastila to continue. With a hard sigh she asked, "Why?"
"Because I'm not leaving my ship behind," Revan shrugged.
"Do you really expect me to believe it's as simple as that?"
"Are you implying I'm hiding something?"
Bastila had forgotten how frustratingly evasive Revan could be. With some effort she kept her irritation at bay. Losing her temper would be futile. It would not do to give Revan the upper hand. Bastila was determined to satisfy her suspicions.
"And if I am?" Bastila returned calmly.
"I couldn't imagine what you think that is. Is there something wrong with being fond of the Ebon Hawk?"
"I do wish you would take this seriously. Do you think I can't feel you hiding something?"
Revan was silent for a long moment, never taking her attention from Bastila. Finally she sighed and leaned against the bulkhead.
"Damn your bond Bastila," she said with no real feeling. "I will do what I must. You will not change my mind."
"Why? Do you not remember what happened the last time you went on this chase?" Bastila asked incredibly.
"No!" Revan exploded. Bastila jerked back in shock. The anger came off Revan like a physical blow. Biting her lip Revan stood straight, closed her eyes and forced herself away from the emotion. "I can't remember anything Bastila. When I defeated Malak on the Star Forge, I only felt this terrible sadness. Like I had killed a part of myself."
"Malak was lost to the Dark Side Revan. There was no hope of redemption for him."
Revan laughed, a short derisive sound as she shook her head. "Before he died Malak wondered how things might have differed if you had saved him instead of me."
"It is best not to dwell on such thoughts, they can do no good."
"Easily said Bastila. But I have nothing else to remember save for the nightmares. Malak said it was my fault he fell. And it frightens me he could be right. I - I have so much to atone for, and I cannot even remember my sins."
"And you think this is the way to do it?" Batila asked. She could feel Revan, her friend, distancing herself. "The last time you took this path it did not end well. Have you not thought about those who care for you? It broke Carth's heart the first time you left. What do you think will happen if you do it again?"
Revan opened her mouth to speak but said nothing as she swayed on her feet. Reaching a hand out she steadied herself on a console, and Bastila was at her side immediately.
"You should sit," Bastila urged. Revan, visibly trembling, shook her head.
"It's nothing," Revan said after a moment. Then drawing a deep breath she straightened and met her friends gaze. "I'm fine, just tired, perhaps I'm pushing myself a little hard today."
"Will you rest Revan? Give me that at least," Bastila asked.
"If you insist, I suppose it couldn't hurt." They shared a small, brief smile, and for the moment put aside the argument.