I am sorry Revan
-Master Vandar
The Enduring Legacy floated in orbit around Coruscant, ready to transport the Jedi back to their temple. The former prisoners had been lifted into a transport and only awaited two more passengers that needed to board. The Jedi who had fallen in battle was also duly interred within.
Revan and Exon stood with the remnants of the Hellborn Platoon, the twenty odd survivors looking at them with admiration. All of them shook their hands, thanking them for the honor of fighting alongside such distinguished warriors.
"You two really are the epitome of what it means to be a Jedi" Espindor had said to the pair. "Self sacrificing, noble, and unrelenting in the face of danger...a true inspiration to the rest of us."
Ciras and Ava had praised their stars during the debriefing. Espindor still didn't really believe them, especially Ava but he would give them the benefit of the doubt. They were his best soldiers after all.
Revan and Exon bowed, humbled by their words.
Espindor came closer to the pair whispering.
"The scientists have been taken away by high command...Sagat will be interrogated to see the depths of how sick these experiments go. There will be justice for his crimes. I swear this to you."
Revan nodded. "And the facility?" They had not been allowed back planet side since their return. All the dark secrets under the basement still lingered there...as was the specimen that Raithe claimed to exist.
Espindor frowned.
"That...is more complicated. The planet has been quarantined by the Republic High Command at the moment. There will be a thorough investigation to see the extent of these pursuits."
Espindor looked grim for a moment.
"I regret to tell you that probably means you won't get access to the labs again...everything will be classified from now on."
Revan and Exon gave each other worried looks at these words.
"However," the lieutenant said suddenly, I think my superiors won't care if a maintenance droid goes missing.
The Jedi looked back at him confusion. Espindor gestured to Priel who walked up holding a bundle of cloth. Revan flipped the package open.
It was the head of the droid he had beheaded when it attacked him in the labs below. Even now its eyes glowed with a bloody sheen.
"Priel told me about the droid. Seeing it was used by Sagat, I took the liberty of having its memory core scanned while you were gone. It appears it contained a lot of interesting information. When I heard that they were sealing the facility I had Polluck download as much data he could find onto the thing's memory as possible."
The older man grinned slightly, pointing at the valuable artifact.
"Take it Revan...whatever the scientists have done here...do not let them get away with it."
"On my honor" said Revan quietly. He took the parcel and nodded in thanks to Espindor. He said something to Priel in the alien's own tongue then. Nobody knew what he said except Priel himself but he seemed to appreciate the words. The Sullustan nodded in thanks.
Espindor stepped aside to let two of the soldiers who had shared the greatest adventures with the two Jedi share their farewells. They had strange expressions on their faces. Ciras and Ava both looked happy, but there was a strained quality to it as if they didn't want to show how sad they were to leave the pair.
Revan noticed something on Ava's neck, hanging outside of her red uniform. It was a neckless. Emplaced in the centre of the jewel was the shard Revan had given the soldiers earlier. Seeing Revan's scrutiny, Ava smiled and playfully twirled the item with her fingers.
"Like my new gift sir?". She winked at Ciras before turning back to the Jedi. "as long as I wear this, I'll be unkillable."
Revan and Exon looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
"it doesn't really work that way..." Revan managed. He was beginning to regret making that elaborate tale. Ava was unstable at the best of times and if she started charging into every battle thinking she was guarded by a higher power...
"oh don't worry" the soldier said cheerfully. "I won't go bragging about my lucky charm. It's just good to know though that wherever I go, I'll be protected by the Force."
Revan kept a straight face when he said the next words. "The force protects those who protects themselves. Always be mindful of that and you'll be fine."
Ava nodded seriously at his sage advice.
"Keep my head down. Got it."
Revan and Exon relaxed slightly, relieved that they wouldn't have an unnecessary death at their hands.
Ciras stepped up then and gave the two Jedi his patented grin.
"You know sir...our platoon is now understrength. We'll have to be reorganized." Remarked Ciras to Revan.
Both Jedi nodded.
"No doubt your reputation will be more fearsome...few can say they weathered a Mandalorian assault and came out victorious." said Revan with approval.
Ciras and Ava beamed at that.
"Well to remember how we got such a fearsome reputation...I was hoping you'd let us give the platoon a new nickname."
"Oh?" Said Revan... "And what is that?"
Ciras looked at Exon sheepishly. "no offence Exon, but we thought Revan should get the credit for pulling our asses out of the fire so many times."
The tall Jedi smiled and indicated he didn't mind.
"anyways...we were thinking..."
Ava jumped in. "We were thinking the Revanchists. You know, cause it sounds like your-"
Ciras looked annoyed at the other soldier's proclamation. "That isn't what we agreed on. We were going for Revan's Chosen!"
"That's what I just said," retorted Ava. "Revanchist is short for Revan's Chosen!"
"In whose world?" Drawled Ciras. "Crazy Ava's?"
The pair of soldiers pushed and shoved each other in annoyance.
Revan smiled slightly at that. "You do me a great honor...but do not define yourselves by what has happened since I arrived."
He placed a hand on the shoulders of Ciras and Ava.
"You are great soldiers in your own right...legends in your regiment. Take a name that does every survivor proud."
Ciras thought about that for a moment.
"How about...in honor of the ship that saved all of us? How about...the Alpha Wings?"
Exon nodded in approval at that.
"I think that is a fine name."
"Then it's settled!" Said Ava delightfully. She put a hand on each Jedi with indecent familiarity. "Whenever we blast someone to the next world we'll be thinking of your ship...and you guys."
"We will do no less." Assured Revan.
Ava leaned in and kissed Revan on the cheek.
"I think I owed you that sir." She said mischievously. Revan nodded, touching the spot she just put it.
"Thank you"
The redhead gave a peck for Exon as well. He smiled in appreciation.
"I haven't been kissed by a girl in a long time. Not to mentioned such a feisty one."
"You have no idea.," Smirked Ava.
Ciras gave them both hard pats on the backs.
"Kick some ass out there Revan." He smiled sheepishly, embarrassed by what he was going to say next. "I hope...I hope this isn't the last time we meet."
Ava nodded sincerely as well at that statement. "Don't go dying on us before we can buy you a round sir."
Revan was touched. He had few people outside of the order to call friend and he counted the pair as among them now.
"I have a feeling," He said eventually "that we'll be seeing each other some time in the future"
He gave one last hug to Ciras, the man who looked like a second brother to him. He did the same as well to Ava who took the opportunity to grab his ass. She looked up to the ceiling innocently afterwards as if nothing had happened.
Exon was also serenaded with enthusiasm. With that the Jedi nodded to each other. They started to walk up the ramp of their transport. Revan stopped suddenly and whispered something to Exon. The other man nodded in reply and they both turned around. The soldiers looked at them curiously.
The Jedi pulled their lightsabers up high and ignited them. The twin blue pillars of light illuminated the entire room with their glory. The soldiers looked in awe at the display.
"Death before dishonor!" The Jedi shouted.
"Death before dishonor!" Came the echoing reply. The soldiers clapped and cheered at them in triumph. The Jedi bowed deeply, in recognition to the soldier's great achievement, defiance of death against the Mandalorians. With that, the two Jedi stepped into the ship.
The newly christened Alpha Wings watched as the ship disengaged from the platform, through the shielded exit into the vacuum of space to descend down the planet below. They watched in silence as their saviors left them to disappear like the legends they were.
"How did it go?" Asked Revan quietly. Exon had just stepped out of the council chambers after relating his version of what happened in the mission. The council had thoroughly questioned each member of the expedition separately to verify the truthfulness of their words. They were shocked to learn that Master Treys was dead. Another Master killed in this dark time...it did not bode well for the future.
The seven Jedi that had been rescued gave incomplete reports, having been unconscious for a large majority at the end. They all spoke heatedly of Revan's actions though and condemned his deliberate usurping of Melara. None of them knew how the Master became so wounded or how Jared or Master Treys was killed but they were sure it was Revan's fault.
The Master for that matter was still injured and unconscious. The healers at the temple had mentioned finding a great deal of damage to her psyche as well as her outer shell. They couldn't even begin to reach into the tangled mess of her subconscious. It would be a long time before there was any chance of recovery.
Revan had already talked with the council. He told them about the battle at the facility, the Mandalorians working for another man and how the enemy had tried to funnel them away in a last desperate attempt to take prisoners. He deliberately skipped over the details of Melara's and Jared's dark alliance with Raithe, saying that they were part of the prisoners that were captured and that Jared and Master Treys was killed during the escape. He had told Exon to do the same thing. If their betrayal became common knowledge then the order's reputation would never survive.
The council for that matter did not seem very impressed. Most of them eyed Revan coldly, having already condemned him in their minds. Revan wasn't surprised. He had always been on the wrong side with these people. With the exception of Vandar and a few other Masters they had thought him too rash and headstrong. Maybe they were regretting their little experiment.
"Who was this enemy? Was he a Sith Lord?"
Revan stared directly at Vandar when he said the next words. "He was affiliated with Mreth...this man was the one who sent them to Chiron in the first place."
You know don't you? Revan couldn't really know whether Vandar knew the madman's true identity, but he had a feeling the Master knew a great deal more than he let on.
"his name was Raithe."
Revan stared at everyone to see how they would react to this piece of news. To their credit, most of the council members didn't bat an eyelash. However a faint ripple of unease could be felt, as the Masters realized the implications of Revan's encounter.
Revan thought they would demand more information about this man. Instead they pressed him for details regarding the location of this person. Apparently they wanted to skirt around the subject of the scene of their crimes.
Revan described what he knew of the Bastion of Hate as Raithe liked to call it, saying that the enemy's hidden base could produce an artificial army that would potentially topple worlds. He also said the only means of returning was through a portal that they destroyed.
They didn't seem to believe him.
"You are trying to tell us...that the Sith have a fortress that can produce starships and weaponry fit for an armada?" Asked one member slowly. Her silver hair matched the color of her cold eyes.
Revan nodded.
"And...that you destroyed the only possible gateway to reach this...incredible structure without discovering it's actual location?"
He nodded again.
"I suggest you begin making up better excuses for your actions Revan," she snapped. Her expression was one of incredulous. Most of the other Masters looked the same way.
"If the enemy had something like that, the Republic would have been wiped off the charts a long time ago."
Vandar looked doubtful as well. "Do you have any evidence that this...construct existed?"
"Three other soldiers accompanied us to this place...they saw it with their own eyes...felt their effects. It was a horrid, hateful place."
"This will not stand Revan." Said the Master with the golden hair. His voice was heated.
"Three Jedi dead, one Master severely wounded and you come back to us with these half baked lies."
All the Jedi Masters looked at Revan intently. Except for Vandar, who kept his eyes averted.
"And you had the audacity to usurp Melara!" Continued the golden warrior. He pointed an accusing finger at the Jedi.
"That is tantamount to defying us! We sent you to save the Jedi, not to cause dissention!"
The Master finished by slamming his fist on the chair as he said the last words. There was a long echo from the force of impact. No one spoke for many seconds.
The older man composed himself eventually, letting out a short sigh.
"Your actions are borderline treasonous and now you make fanciful tales about a secret base where the Sith are building an armada in a hidden part of the Republic. I find anything you say right now to be very circumspect."
Why don't you read my mind, thought Revan. To them he said nothing.
"Do you have anything to say for your actions Revan?" Demanded another member.
"We are a fair governing body. The other Jedi in the expedition may have condemned you but we will give you a chance to defend yourself against all these accusations."
Revan looked at each of the council members levelly. He looked each one in the eye, letting his disturbing gaze linger on each one. Which ones had been there since the beginning? Who was in within this conspiracy against the Jedi? He could not be sure. He didn't even trust his own memories. But he knew then that he was marked by them. Every council member looked uncomfortable with his lingering gaze. Even the silver haired female turned away from his scrutiny. Vandar looked...sad but had hardly said two words in the whole proceedings. He seemed the most guilty of all of them.
He does know. He knew when he sent me I would find things I didn't want to discover.
It made little sense why Vandar or the council would risk him discovering such a dirty secret. Like Raithe said, why send him?
"Well?" Demanded the first speaker.
Revan simply shook his head and said. "I have nothing more to say to any of you."
There was a long period of silence at this. Nobody wanted to gauge the hidden meaning behind those words. After a long few moments, one of them spoke.
"You are dismissed."
Revan turned away, never looking back.
Now that his turn was over, Exon had been summoned, having been the last to enter to describe his version of the events.
When he came out, he looked tired and drawn out. His gaze met the other Jedi.
"How did it go?" Asked Revan.
"I've been in duels more one sided than the discussion I had." Exon shook his head sadly. "It is as I have feared. They will string us up for the rest of the order to see...made examples so that no one follows our ...rash decisions." He gazed out into the sprawling city landscape that was Coruscant.
"I suspect...we will be Exiled. Maybe even worse."
Revan said nothing. He didn't know what to feel. Perhaps he even felt a little glad at that moment. Being away from the order right now was perhaps the best thing that could happen to him. He needed to time to think...to sort things out.
Exon turned back to him and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Whatever happens Revan...we'll weather it together. We are in this until the end."
Revan smiled and nodded in thanks.
The council eventually summoned all members of the expedition back into the chambers. They all stood in a rough group surrounded by the circle of Masters.
Revan and Exon stood apart from the rest, no love lost between the other members.
"The events of the last few days have been grave and tragic for our order." Said the silver haired Master. "Despite the fact that the Mandalorian invasion has been thwarted, we have lost three able bodied Jedi, one who was a Master. Melara is gravely wounded and we do not know if she will ever recover. To say that this whole expedition was a failure is a grave understatement."
Nobody said anything at these words, taking a moment to pay their respects for the fallen.
Eventually another member, the golden haired warrior spoke again. "We have conferred amongst ourselves and discussed your accounts of the events that have occurred."
He leaned forward, steepling his fingers.
"After deliberation, we have decided the Jedi who initially went on this expedition will not come under censure. We have found your conduct in line with how our members should perform in their duty."
Exon raised an eyebrow at that. "What about me?" He demanded. "I don't think I'd fall into that category."
"Be silent Exon," snapped one of the council members. "We are getting to that."
Eventually all heads turned to look at the two Jedi standing apart from the rest, waiting for the sentence like a foreboding wind.
"Exon," Vandar said quietly. "We find your actions in contempt against the Jedi Order...you deliberately assaulted a Master, and helped Revan stage his coup...that is truly unacceptable."
Exon just stared at them with his purple eyes, daring them to try his patience.
Vandar continued.
"Yet by all accounts you also performed admirably against the Mandalorians and in defending the facility."
The Master looked at him in the eye as he said the next words.
"Based on your history with the Master and your actions, the council has decided you will be stripped of active duty and your rank for a year. You will have plenty of time to meditate on these events and see the error of your ways...just like before."
Exon said nothing...in truth he didn't expect anything better. He gave Revan a slight shrug.
"Revan..." said Vandar slowly.
The young Jedi turned his scrutiny towards the one Master he thought he could trust.
Vandar looked a hundred years older at that moment, if age could be determined for his species. The Master couldn't look him in the eye. He sounded extremely reluctant as he uttered his verdict.
"You are the architect of this...insurrection against Melara and her leadership. Master Treys is dead and we have no way to confirm your words that he supported you in favor of her. While you did save the other eight Jedi...your actions have cast a very serious light on your judgement."
Revan said nothing. He took a deep breath waiting for the guillotine to fall.
"It is the decision of this council...that you be Exiled."
There were several gasps at that proclamation.
"No!" exclaimed Exon. He stepped forward while the other Masters stirred uneasily. "If Revan is to be exiled, then I will share the same fate!" His purple eyes burned.
"This isn't up for debate Exon" said Vanda firmly. "We did not come to this decision lightly, but we felt it was the...best way."
"Best keep your mouth shut Exon". Said one of the expeditions's Jedi. "You don't want to embarrass yourself in front of the council again."
The other group of Jedi looked vindictive while Exon glared at them with undisguised anger.
"He saved you." Snarled Exon to the rest of the expedition. "He saved every one of your miserable hides. When we were in that fortress...he could have left you all to rot. He didn't."
The former prisoners looked at them pitilessly. Some had smug expressions on their faces.
Exon looked ready to spit at them. Revan placed a placating hand on his shoulder. He shook his head.
The Masters completely ignored his outburst.
"This is the will of the council. We have spoken...you are all dismissed."
Slowly, everyone began trudging out the door. Exon turned back at Revan before leaving.
"Be strong my friend. We will find a way through this."
He gave Revan one more sympathetic look before exiting.
After a few moments, Revan started moving slowly for the door as well. Before he could though he heard a voice behind him.
"Revan, wait."
The Jedi turned back to see Vandar looking at him. His expression was mournful, but he could not say about what.
"Esteemed Masters...if I could have a moment?" The other Masters looked at each other silently. Something hidden passed in their expressions because as one they rose up to leave the pair in the oval chamber. None of them looked at the younger Jedi while they passed.
Master Vandar stood from his seat and hobbled towards the Jedi. He did not meet his eyes.
They stood there for a long time, neither daring to break the silence.
Vandar was the first to give.
"I am sorry Revan," he whispered eventually. His pointed ears were drooped with the words.
"For which part," asked Revan softly. "My Exile...or what I have discovered?"
"Both," said the Master eventually. "I...I didn't want this. I didn't want any of this to happen."
Revan felt an antipathy towards the other Master he hadn't known before. He always counted Master Vandar as his staunchest supporter, his crutch. But now that bond was broken...as surely as his bond towards the Jedi Order.
"Why?" Revan said eventually. "Why did you send me there?"
He clenched his gauntlets so tightly that he could feel blood in his palms.
"You had to know, I would discover what you did..." Revan said darkly. "By sending me there, you condemn yourself! The whole council!"
Vandar turned away, he could not bear to look the Jedi in the eye.
Revan's rage surged for a moment. The Master was not even man enough to admit it to his face.
"Answer me Master!" He shouted suddenly. He gripped the older creature's shoulders and shook him violently. The Master felt pathetically light, like an Ewok. Revan lifted him with no apparent effort and shook him again. Vandar did nothing, but accepted the abuse silently.
"Why? Why condemn me to be your slave? Why put up this elaborate ploy to subjugate me, and then point me to the source of your crimes?" His dark eyes glared at the other's miserable form.
A tear emerged from one of the Master's large eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Revan couldn't say anything after that. He wanted to throw the other Master across the chamber. He was definitely light enough. But in the end he did nothing...he simply knelt there not knowing what to feel, how to feel. He bowed his head in defeat.
"Because it was not the council's decision," came a cold voice.
Revan's head snapped up and turned around to look at the source of the interruption. He had not realized anyone else was there.
A shadow detached itself from one of the pillars of the chamber. Revan was briefly reminded of a similar sensation when he had made his report to the council from Chiron. He had thought it his imagination...but...
The tall gaunt figure was draped in midnight black. He was shrouded, not a single aspect of his body was shown. A black hood cowled his face, obscuring any features.
He was taller than Revan by a good foot.
Revan felt a sudden power fill the room, like the crackling of electricity in the air. How the newcomer had masked this before was a mystery to Revan. Uncomfortably, he was reminded of the aspect of Mreth. Yet this person held an entirely different aura. Not the tightly chained and controlled anger of the Sith Lord, but a cold unknowable presence. Everything about him spoke of secrecy and hidden intent. Revan reached for his weapon but did not ignite it.
"The decision to send you to Solace was not ordained by the council...but by me."
"And you are?" Demanded Revan.
The figure craned his head slightly to the side. Revan thought he could see two white spots of light that should have passed for eyes underneath that dark hood. "I have forgotten my name...it does not matter anymore...but for lack of a better word...I am the Watcher. I guard that which is most important to this galaxy."
His voice was raspy, reeking of disuse, like something from a past age.
"And what was the purpose of this?" Said Revan. He glanced back at Master Vandar who had bowed his head...whether in reverence or fear he could not tell.
"To see, if you were ready," came the reply. "To see...if you are truly loyal."
"To the Jedi?"
"To the Jedi, the Republic and those within its providence." He walked slowly towards Revan, his form flowing seamlessly on the ground.
"This is a time of betrayal..." continued the other figure. "Traitors lurk in every corner of the galaxy...and the great Enemy comes. Now more than ever, we need people of special skills, of unbreakable faith and those with purity of purpose to join our cause."
He nodded to Vandar. "Your Exile...will make a good excuse for you."
"For what?" Said Revan cautiously.
"For where you are going," said the Watcher quietly. "You cannot stay here under the heel of the Masters."
"The Exile...was your idea? Why would the Masters agree to anything you would say?"
"Because my authority transcends their providence. I answer to a higher power."
"Is there a Grand Master I haven't heard about?" asked Revan warily.
"Nothing so mundane."
"Speak plainly." Said Revan. "Who do you serve?"
"You will meet her soon enough." Came the automatic reply. He pointed a bony finger at the other Jedi...Revan was surprised to see it wasn't flesh but a dark rusty metal coupled with wiring that framed the digit.
"You...are coming with me."
Authors note: Well that's it for me for a good while at least. The story took a lot longer than I initially planned it to be. I didn't get that much feedback this time so I guess most people didn't care to read it or they were content to let me go on. Still it was good to write while it lasted. Thanks to everyone who put down a constructive review, especially Lord Europe who made me put more effort in describing certain events. I also added a new picture from a scene within this story. I'm sure anybody paying attention will know which scene it is from.