Disclaimer: All characters belong to Bioware and LucasArts, I didn't create the Star Wars universe, it's just where I daydream.
This is my take/twist on the background or between the lines story from a great game.
Chapter 25
Discovery
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Bastila rolled with the familiar dream, fantasy elements mixed with her memories. The Revan stood arrogantly on a grassy plain, the red markings of her mask glistened in the swirling shadows. "You are nothing Bastila."
Bastila reached out and pulled the mask off the Revan's face to reveal Trin's smooth too young face. "You are nothing. You once were great, now you are a slave to the Jedi. You do their bidding despite their perfidy. You are Carth's harlot. You gather acclaim and stand in my spot light but it will end now. I am here for what you owe me and this time I will kill you." Bastila's fingers grew into claws, claws she used to shred Trin's cloak, robes and skin.
As Trin screamed she shrank to a small child in blood soaked rags. Bastila reveled in the terror pouring from the young figure until she was awakened from the euphoria and the dream as she smashed into a wall.
Dustil stood silently behind Trin as she watched Liera make her way down the steep path from the bluff top where they'd had to set down the Ebon Hawk. His father grabbed Trin's twitching hand and reassured her. "She's fine. You cannot squash this surge of independence by trying to catch her before she falls."
Trin nodded reluctantly, her eyes never leaving her daughter. "I'm not ready for this, this whole motherhood thing."
Carth chuckled, "Nobody ever is gorgeous, nobody."
Liera hopped down the last little bit and ran towards them. "Did you see me Mama? I'm very fast, I train very hard." The little girl looked up at her mother's frown and asked worriedly, "Are you proud of me?"
Trin smiled warmly, "I am very proud of you, little one. Do you miss training?"
Liera looked at her mother out of the corner of her eye. "I have to train. Don't I?"
"That's a good question, a very good question."
Zaalbar and Jolee roamed ahead eyes alert, followed by Carth, Trin and Liera. Mission and Dustil trailed behind. Dustil couldn't help but notice that Mission walked with the sure quiet tread of a survivor, without conscious thought she scanned her surroundings. Dustil knew the routine, there are only two things that matter to a survivor; threats and background and there was only one chance to categorize them properly.
They rounded the bend and paused to observe a scene of bedlam. People swarmed in and out of a billowing dust cloud, alarmed shouts filled the air.
"Rahasia! Rahasia?" shouted a young man covered in grey powder that made him appear ghostlike.
"I'm okay Shen, I'll be right there, I'm in the dust not the wreckage," a female voice called back. Soon a woman stumbled out of the cloud and into Shen's arms. They hugged fiercely.
Dustil overheard his father whisper in Trin's ear. "There are some lives you changed for the better. Without your intervention who knows what their fathers might have done."
"Yes. I'm glad they survived." Trin shook her head sadly. "But I wonder how these people will see me, now."
"I can't believe I'm quoting Canderous but on this he's right. 'Do not confuse defeat with failure, nor winning with success.' Rahasia and Shen's chance at happiness was your success. What they do with that chance is up to them."
Trin nodded in acknowledgment.
Shen and Rahasia broke apart when they noticed they were not alone. Rahasia shouted, "Your timing is perfect. The roof caved in at this end of the enclave's south wing. There are people trapped in there!"
Carth marched purposefully into the cloud of dust, Dustil followed close on his heels.
Dustil heard Jolee call to someone, probably Trin. "You lift the roof, I'll pull the debris out from under it."
The roof rose slowly upward then the larger pieces of rubble were raked backward to the cliff face by some giant invisible hand. Carth, Dustil, Zaalbar, Mission, Rahasia and Shen ran in under the floating roof. They cleared away the smaller pieces and searched for survivors.
Bodies sprawled in unnatural positions under the roof. Dustil and Mission ran from one still form to the next but none of them were living. Mission looked quite ghastly under a coating of grey dust. Dustil didn't imagine he looked any better. They sifted through the smaller rubble where they found the limbs and heads that had been seperated from the lifeless bodies around them. Finally, the two came to a large piece of wall perched precariously over a gap in the flooring. Dustil tipped back the jagged concrete boulder. Mission darted in and gasped. "We found a pair of survivors," she grinned up at Dustil, "Can you move the boulder further?"
Dustil pressed his lips together, it was all he could do to hold the heavy piece of concrete at this angle, but now that he'd shifted it he couldn't let it fall. He shook his head quickly. Mission's eyes widened, she grabbed the edge and tried to support some of the weight. "Carth! Carth can you help us?" she shouted.
Carth dashed to Dustil's side and helped him roll the boulder away from the opening.
Dustil sagged in relief as Mission leaped down into the opening. His father helped pull the pair of survivors up and out. Dustil's arms burned and his hands shook violently, scrapes marred the skin on his hands. Blood better spent than any other I've spilled.
A child's scream interrupted his reverie then to his horror the roof dropped a couple of meters.
Dustil pushed upward with the Force to hold the roof, as he expected, the weight was tremendous. "Dad! Dad, we need to get out of here now."
Carth pulled Mission out of the hole and looked at Dustil's reddening face. "What is it son?"
"The roof," Dustil gasped as it slipped down a little more.
Jolee's voice rang out urgently, "Trin! The roof."
Suddenly the sagging roof was ripped from Dustil's control and thrown up over the nearby cliff. Dustil sensed desperation and fear.
"What's happening?" Trin cried, "What's happening? Someone help me!"
Carth sprinted towards Trin's voice, Dustil followed wearily. Trin was holding her daughter's twitching form. Liera's eyes were tightly closed, blood dripped from the corner of her right eye, staining her pale skin and Trin's robes. Trin stopped talking, Dustil felt her reach out with her mind to wrap Liera's consciousness within her own. Something mentally ripped at her like claws rending flesh, over and over again. Every muscle in Trin's body flexed and a raw scream ripped from her throat.
Carth crouched helplessly next to their twitching forms. "Jolee, what is this do you know?"
Jolee waved his arms impatiently and stood with his eyes closed as though he were listening.
Dustil was reminded of the day Master Uthar had killed a spy in front of the entire academy. The hapless Republic infiltrator believed he was being flayed alive. "It looks like a Sith mind trick. A mental attack. I can sense the edges of it." He felt ill and angry. "The child, Liera, she was being tortured in her mind." He gestured to Trin. "She's blocking it, now"
Tears ran down Trin's face. Between screams and whimpers she whispered, "Malak."
Jolee's eyes snapped open. "This way, help me, the attacker is over this way." He sprinted away using the Force, Dustil was right at his side and Mission trailed behind.
Dustil could sense the proximity of the child's attacker, he dashed past Jolee. His sense of outrage had inspired a cold anger that spread throughout his body and mind. He placed his feet precisely as he ran, his hand connected with the door at exactly the right point to allow him to continue without slowing his pace. He ran up a low set of steps to the last intact wing of the enclave. He flung open the last door and ignored the dozing Cathari to grab and fling the small woman writhing on the left side of the bed.
Jolee reached the door on time to see Bastila hit the wall and slide down. The malignant presence immediately disappeared.
Bastila looked dazedly up at the angry young dark haired vision of Carth in the doorway with Jolee holding him back.
"Dustil that's enough," Jolee said urgently as he tugged on the enraged young man's arm, "She's awake, she stopped."
Dustil froze on the spot, taking a deep breath he said venomously, "What kind of scum tortures a child?"
Bastila slid backward along the wall towards the corner. Her voice was shrill with anxiety. "It was a dream, just a dream."
Juhani leaped out of the bed landing in a battle crouch between Bastila and her attackers with her lightsaber drawn. "Jolee," she snarled, "Stand away. I will not emulate you and attack a friend, but I will defend her."
Mission slid to halt behind Jolee and Dustil. She asked grimly, "Where's Malak?"
Bastila sobbed and hid her face. Juhani stared uncomprehendingly at Mission. "Malak?"
Jolee spoke irritably as he dragged Dustil back a few more steps. "Down boy." He looked at Mission. "Trin mistook Bastila's dream-self for Malak."
"Bastila?" Mission whispered as he stared blankly at the huddled form behind Juhani. "I," she shook her head and left the room. Dustil shook himself free of Jolee. The old man dropped wearily onto the bench at the end of the bed.
Juhani knelt to hold Bastila, who rocked violently against her breast. The confused Cathari looked up at the old man's back, "What happened?"
"Bastila, apparently in her sleep, attacked Liera's mind as Trin and I were aiding with the rescue efforts. Trin threw the roof she was holding up nearly a klik in her effort to free herself to defend her daughter." He shook his head, "I had hoped that this animosity was a temporary thing."
Juhani looked down at Bastila's rocking form sadly. "I too had hoped this would pass." She paused. "Something happened, on the Star Forge. Bastila, what happened."
Jolee turned to look at the pair of Jedi. Bastila continued to rock mindlessly with her face pressed against her knees while Juhani held her helplessly.
Dustil shook his head in disgust and walked away from the pathetic scene. Weak, they are just as Master Uthar said they would be, weak.
Josna visited every tree in the grove one last time. She gathered her favorite stones from the pool and looked fondly at the darting silver fish. "Good-bye little jumpers." She skipped backed to her house where two unnaturaly still figures stood in the threshold. She grinned impishly and whispered, "Wait, wait little tools, the Shadow-Master will not miss you, but you will be found." Josna shouldered a pack, pulled on a voluminous brown cloak that hid her face in shadow and walked purposefully out of her haven.
Trin picked her way across the rubble strewn Jedi council chamber. The now roofless room had fared better than the closest wings of the Jedi enclave only because it had little in it to be destroyed. On the bench to Trin's right sat Bastila her eyes were firmly fixed on the floor. Juhani sat at her side. The others sat on the stone benches behind Trin.
Master Zhar performed the introductions. "Padawan, you are already acquainted with myself, Master Vandar and Master Dorak." He indicated each in turn then introduced a tall pale human woman and an even taller fierce Zabrak man. "Joining us in council on this day are Master Quattra and Master Tomar." Both Masters nodded as they were introduced. "We are of course familiar with Padawans Bastila Shan and Juhani but not all of your companions are known to us."
Trin bowed and turned to introduced the friends that watched her back. "Masters I would like to introduce Zaalbar, Mission Vao, Dustil Onasi, Carth Onasi, Liera Lenstar and Jolee Bindo."
Master Zhar nodded as Trin made her introductions. "We have asked you here to thank you for your timely arrival yesterday. Your help was appreciated, although we would have eventually been able to dig ourselves out of the rubble, many other sentients would have died if you hadn't been here to help."
"Master Zhar, what caused the collapse?" asked Trin.
He shook his head dismissively, "The rubble shifted. It is unfortunate that the remaining academy records were destroyed in the collapse."
Trin watched skittishly as the other Masters all nodded in unison.
Master Vandar stepped forward and said decisively. "Many of the matters before this council should be discussed in a closed session. I suggest we deal with the open session matters quickly." The diminutive Master stepped back and looked at Master Zhar.
"Firstly, there is the alleged attack by Padawan Bastila on the child Liera, Liera Lenstar."
Bastila stood, she stared forlornly at the floor, "I do not deny that the attack occurred, Master Zhar."
"Why did you attack the child, Padawan?"
"I was dreaming." She swallowed and glanced up at Trin briefly. "I dreamed that I was attacking the Revan but it wasn't entirely a dream. The child did nothing to provoke me."
"Liera, please step forward."
Liera slid off the stone bench and glided forward to her mother's side. Trin took the child's hand reassuringly.
Master Vandar smiled kindly at Liera. "Please tell us what happened Liera."
"Mama was helping the scared people and a bad thought tried to get her. I tried to stop the bad one and it hurt me."
"How did you try to stop the bad one?"
"I made the scariest thing."
"What is the scariest thing?"
Liera shrugged, "I don't know her scariest thing."
"Where did you learn to do this child?"
"He taught me, when he was still my Daddy."
Vandar nodded in satisfaction.
Master Tomar said gruffly, "Who are your parents child?"
Liera looked up at Trin trustingly, "This is my Mama. My Daddy is gone away."
The Zabrak looked at Trin calmly. "Who is the father?"
Trin tamped down the sense of irritation. He knows, he damn well knows, why is he doing this? "Her father was Malak."
"How do you know that her father was Malak? Is this something you remember?"
"No, Master Tomar, I do not remember, I do not remember any of it. However, there was circumstantial evidence. Liera certainly believes Malak was her father, he was raising her. Further Republic intelligence confirms it."
Master Dorak spoke, "This child needs to be examined by the Jedi. She requires training for she knows too much, wields too much power and has little in the way of discipline."
Trin clutched at Liera's hand. "I will not allow you to take my child."
Master Tomar looked surprised. "But she is in need of training. Surely you do not propose to"
"I think if we proceed to other matters the council will understand my reluctance to give my child over to their tutelage."
Master Vandar spoke, "I agree that the council should hear the Padawan's concerns before we continue this discussion."
Master Zhar turned to those seated behind Trin. "Those who are not a member of the Jedi order must leave at this time."
Carth went to Trin and took Liera by the hand then filed out with the others.
Master Vandar called out to Jolee, "Padawan Bindo, you may stay."
He shook his bald head in a slow deliberate manner. "I made my feelings clear when I left the order fifteen years ago. You have my testimony and I have nothing else to say to any of you."
Bastila stood, "I beg the council's indulgence, I wish to withdraw. My testimony in this matter is on record and I am fatigued."
Trin looked mutely at Juhani. Juhani looked away, she bowed to the council. "I will attend Padawan Bastila." Juhani's retreat left Trin standing alone before the five Masters.
Alone, again. Perhaps the Force is trying to tell me something.
Master Zhar coughed, "We have read the testimonies and agree that as soon as we are settled on Coruscant the council should investigate the discrepancies you have brought to our attention. However, it seems most likely that these events are unrelated. Even the Jedi are not perfect."
"Master, the council needs to investigate now."
"The unfortunate circumstances of your youth have given you a false impression of the Jedi Order and your training. Your childhood was mostly uneventful. Certainly, no Dark Lord was involved in your training."
"I assure you that these conjectures are not based on my perception of the Order. Both the Republic and the Sith records have been changed, further Malak possessed information about the trap in my mind he could not have obtained alone."
"Padawan Bastila was aware of this mental instability of yours. A mental disturbance that was more likely to have been a natural result of the tremendous stresses you faced than a manufactured trap."
"Excuse me, Master, but Bastila was told of the trap by Malak."
Vandar interjected, "Bastila was aware of the problem before she was captured by Malak. What did she revealed to him during the days of torture? She cannot know for sure."
Trin looked reproachfully at Master Vandar.
Vandar continued unperturbed, "There is a more pressing matter before the council. The Republic has asked us to relinqusih the Revan."
"When did this occur, Master?"
"A Republic Cruiser arrived moments before this council convened. They claim that you were affiliated with the Sith not the Jedi during the Sith war and therefore are not protected by the laws concerning Jedi. The council will of course"
Trin interrupted, "What do they want?"
Master Zhar answered, "They want you to 'answer for your crimes before the senate'. This cannot be allowed to happen."
"I am willing to answer the senate's summons."
Master Zhar shook his head. "It is not your decision Padawan. It is a matter of principle, the law cannot be circumvented simply because the target of the Republic's ire is unpopular."
"If I go of my own free will, the law is not relevant."
Master Quattra asked, "Why do you wish to face the senate?"
"I wish to have all these matters out in the public's eye."
Master Zhar repeated quietly, "The decision is not yours to make Padawan. The council must decide this matter."
"The decision is mine, Master Zhar. When I was trained three months ago Master Vandar informed me that I could choose to leave the order."
Master Vandar shook his head, "You are certainly well within your rights to do so, but you may wish to wait. I do not imagine you wish to be hauled off in the brig of a Republic ship this afternoon. Further the council needs to discuss, in private, this morning's attack by Padawan Bastila. I'm sure you would like to be here for the resolution of that matter."
"Very well, Master Vandar, I will postpone my decision." Trin bowed to the Masters then left the room.
Zhar's eyes narrowed as he watched her leave. "It is as Master Vrook predicted, she is arrogant and rebellious."
Master Quattra shook her head sadly. "This bond between the Revan and Bastila has become a twisted thing that taints them both. I do not believe we can truly judge either of them until the bond is destroyed."
"Perhaps the visit to Josna will help," mused Dorak.
"You can't be serious. Bastila is still partially under the influence of the dark side; her dreams betray her true desires. The child uses Sith mind tricks and the Revan is still the Revan." Zhar shook his head sadly, "It would not be fair to expose Josna to such minds."
Master Dorak responded mildly, "Josna asked to see them."
"If she knew about the bond Quattra noted, she would not have asked."
"Very well, I will return to the grove and speak with Josna."
"That's not necessary Dorak," replied Zhar, "I will take care of Josna."
Juhani was startled by a knock on the door. She had not sensed anyone approaching the room she and Bastila shared. The pair of Padawan's ended their mediation session and Juhani rose to answer the door.
"Master Zhar, this is, unexpected."
"Padawan," he inclined his head in greeting, "I wish to speak privately with Padawan Bastila. Is she available?"
Bastila stepped into view and bowed, "Come in Master Zhar."
Juhani eyed the Twi'lek master apprehensively but bowed out gracefully, "I will fetch a supper for us, Bastila."
Bastila nodded to her lover as she left the room then turned her full attention to Master Zhar.
"Padawan, I have come to offer you a choice."
"A choice, Master?"
"Yes. You carried a corruption with you. A seed planted by your bond with the Revan and nurtured by Malak. If this seed of evil deep in your mind is not removed it will only be a matter of time before you fall again."
"Never!"
"Never."
"What is the choice, Master?"
"You must either leave the Order or undergo memory regression."
"Memory regression!"
"Bastila, we have to regress you far enough that Malak's taint and that of the Revan will no longer prey on your mind."
"How far back would I have to be regressed, Master?"
"To at least before your capture on the Leviathan, quite possibly all the way back to the events leading up to the Revan's capture."
Bastila stood silently for a time.
"With the regression, Padawan, all memories of your torture and subsequent fall would no longer haunt you. You would feel no desire to be revenged on the Revan. There would be no danger of you attacking any other innocent."
Bastila licked her lips nervously, "I need some time to think, Master Zhar."
"Of course Padawan, I will inform the council as soon as we finish determining the Revan's new rank."
Bastila stared blankly at Master Zhar but her thoughts and feelings churned.
Juhani returned to the room. Master Zhar nodded to the Cathari then said quietly to Bastila, "Please meditate on the matter, Padawan. The sooner it is done, the sooner you and all those close to you will be safe."
Dustil watched Trin pace agitatedly back and forth, "I don't understand this, the Masters clearly indicated that a Republic Cruiser has arrived in orbit. How could they be fooled?"
"It could be us that has been fooled," replied Jolee, "All possibilities must be considered."
"Jolee, there is no record of a cruiser in the vicinity of Dantooine. The Hawk's sensors have detected nothing, the Republic claims no ship has been sent, the only transmissions received by the enclave have been from Lysium Future, their own transport ship."
Carth sighed, "This is another sign that a Sith Master is here manipulating events, but if this Sith is powerful enough to deceive the council itself"
Dustil shook his head, "He or she doesn't need to deceive the council directly, merely their servants."
Jolee chuckled, "Yes, of course, delude the council's eyes and ears then distract them with other events: the collapse of the roof, Bastila's attack on Liera and the Republic's demand. The timing of these events is rather convenient for our Sith Lord."
Trin collapsed into a chair next to Carth. "Very convenient."
Carth rubbed Trin's shoulder.
Dustil turned away to look mindlessly in Liera's direction and avoid watching his father with her. I'm glad this is happening, I have something to do, to think about. As long as there is some unseen threat I can move forward and observe him. An unseen threat—unseen. "A Dark Master that has successfully manipulated events from the Jedi's inner sanctum for this long would not make these mistakes."
Trin replied, "Unless he's desperate or baiting a trap"
"A trap?" Carth snapped, "What kind of trap? What can he want?"
"To rid himself of an annoyance and obtain a new apprentice," stated Dustil as he stared at Liera, "You wish to expose his or her existence." He rubbed the back of his neck. "And Liera knows too much, wields too much power and has little in the way of discipline, according to Master Dorak. She would make an excellent Sith apprentice."
Trin gathered her daughter in her arms.
"The boy's right." Jolee said as he nodded grimly. "You and Liera are the main targets but I think Bastila has become his unwitting weapon."
Trin shook her head. "Bastila's dreams of revenge have been haunting my nights ever since we destroyed the Star Forge. This is the first time her rage has been spent on someone other than myself. Just by dint of your places in my life all of you are at risk."
Dustil watched the blood drain from the former Dark Lord's face as she realized that everyone she cared about was endangered by that love. This is not how I imagined her, the Revan. I wonder if Malak was similarly human or if this is a result of her reprogramming. So, who do I spend my hate on the Revan, Trin the Revan or both?
Bastila roamed the damaged walkways around the enclave. Memory regression! I would no longer be plagued by fear and hate. The bond with her would be gone. I would lose Juhani. I would forget my awakening under Yezme. No more nightmare's of Malak torturing me nor of me torturing Yezme. Normal furniture and simple everyday gestures of ordinary people would not conjure images of the troopers I abused. I would be free. Juhani, my love, could woo the new me, the better woman. But how can I leave this knowledge and power behind when she is to be rewarded for my sacrifices.
Bastila stopped and grinned. I am deranged with guilt and the seed of the dark side. Soon I'll need the council's pity. If I act now they will take away my choice and my memory but I will get her first. She stalked passed the bomb-pitted walls of the academy. A dark purpose infected her steps with zeal.
Trin stepped out of the shelter she shared with Mission, Liera and several other women to greet the dawn and found Carth heating caffa over a small fire. She cocked an eyebrow at him and went over to his side. "Playing?"
Carth grinned, "Caffa is better made over an open fire. Here try some." He poured a cup of dark aromatic brew out of a battered pot.
Trin took the cup and sipped at it. "Strong, but good. Where did you find the gear?"
"On the Hawk. I saw it there a while ago."
"When were you up this morning?"
He shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Trin, I've been thinking, thinking about us."
Trin looked at his calm face searchingly. "Us?"
"I I" Suddenly he stopped, Trin turned to see what had distracted him. "A Jedi apprentice was picking his way across the rubble strewn walkway towards their fire. Carth sighed.
"Excuse me, Padawan Lenstar," he said as he bowed, "The council sent me to find you, they would like you to see you right away. I'm told they have gathered south of the enclave."
Trin nodded wearily. She looked wistfully at Carth as she returned the half full mug to him. "Can we talk later?"
"Of course and don't worry about Liera. We'll look out for her until you return."
She smiled in relief. "Thanks."
As Trin followed the young man she was filled with a sense of foreboding. "Who sent you to fetch me, apprentice?"
"Padawan Shan."
"What's your name?"
"Errom Tenstars."
"Errom. I knew an Errom. She was a scout with the Republic." Trin smiled sadly, "Errom I need you to run three errands for me. First go tell my companion, Carth Onasi that Padawan Bastila Shan sent you to summon me to the council. Secondly go to Padawan Shan's chamber and tell Padawan Juhani the same thing, Lastly go to Master Vandar's quarters and tell him as well."
Young Errom frowned but obediently headed back to where Carth waited.
Trin turned and walked resolutely south to spring the trap she sensed ahead.