Chapter 52: Foretelling Shadows

I take a deep breath and open my eyes. I'm lying down, and I know I'm in some kind of medical facility. The bed is soft, too soft, but it's that smell. The smell of Kolto fill the air like a toxin, flooding my nose whenever I breathe. Looking around, I know that I'm not in the Hawk's medical bay, in fact, it looks like army field medical facility. One you'd see on the battlefield behind the front line.

"He's awake" says a female voice, one I've never heard before. Looking over, I see what a young women, around her 30's, in while clothing of a medic. She has gentle, almost baby blue eyes and short brown hair that is pinned back in a bun.

"Yes I am" I reply, getting a frown from the medic. Did she not have a sense of humour? Evidently not "Where are we doc?"

"We're on Rakata, the planet under the Star Forge" she replies. I'll admit I'm slightly surprised, I'd assumed that the Republic would have had a medical bay on one of their ships. Maybe they got wiped out? All I know for certain is that we won.

"And the Forge?"

"Destroyed"

I let out a sigh, so the Republic destroyed it. While I can see the logic behind removing it, meaning nothing like this could occur again. But the Forge offered so much knowledge and technology, an infinite fleet, and to study how a building of metal could be so heavily influenced by the Force, something that should be impossible in my opinion. Although if it was kept alive and active, some other force would have reused it for the same purpose.

"I'll inform the generals you are awake" she says, turning her back and leaving the tent. Generals, or in war times, another word for Jedi. I've never understood why Jedi were instantly granted the rank of General in the Republic armies. Maybe it's that Jedi arrogance that they are always in the right, coming into their minds. Sitting up, I see I'm still wearing my dark robes, the robes of the Dark Jedi. Perhaps, in the coming years, I could change the Sith uniform to something without fear attached to it. Swinging my legs off the side, I see a glint of metal. For some reason, the lower half of my uniform was cut to shreds. My right leg was there, glinting from the sunlight that sneaks into the tent through the open door. I roll my toes against the ground, hearing the metal on my foot against the plastic, but not feeling anything. Maybe one day they'll create artificial limbs that'll let me feel, like a normal limb, but that's just a hope for the future. Standing up, I quickly walk through the door of the tent, wincing as the sunlight assaults my eyes, forcing my left hand to cover them as well as squinting. As my eyes finally adjust to the light, I'm met by quite a sight.

Directly in front of me is the Temple, that bloody temple where Revan betrayed us, if that is the right word for what happened. Behind it was a mass of Republic ships. Cruisers, frigates, even several Capital Ships float in the sky above this planet. At the front of the temple, I see several Jedi. Revan is the first, standing next to Bastilia and some short green Jedi, one whose aura is powerful indeed. They seem to be deep in discussion, however, of what I have no idea.

"Jason! You're awake!" I hear a voice, full of joy and energy. Turning to its source, the one and only, Mission Vao. The blue-skinned Twi'lek was beaming with a large smile, her eyes beaming. She's not wearing combat armour for once, instead she's wearing clothes of a civilian, clothes that if I remember correctly, she was wearing when I first met her. A black shirt and a grey sleeveless jacket, a body warm, over it, also wearing almost silver pants and black combat boots.

"Yeah I am, I presume passed out on the Hawk?" I ask the obvious, getting a nod from the Twi'lek.

"Yeah, I came over to you and you were out like a light. The medics say you had some damage on your skull plus your muscles were suffering from over-something. Revan said you were attacked by Malek's force lightning so it did something to you" The explanation offered by the Twi'lek answered not a whole lot other than I was injured, something I knew. But on the bright side, I know two things for certain. That Mission survived, and that no crew member from the Hawk died, there is no way Mission would seem this cheerful if one of our team had been killed.

"Well, I'm fine now. I'll guess, given that smile, everything went fine on your end back on the Forge"

"Of course" Mission rolls her eyes at me "The system was typically sith coding, so hacking into it wasn't too hard. The squad of Republic troops outside pushed of a few attack runs before you dealt with Malek and we retreated back down here"

I let a smile emerge on my face, it seems Carth knew what he was doing when he assigned Mission an escort, and for that, I thank him. Even as skilled as she is, I fear to know what would have happened if she didn't have a squad protecting her. "Sounds like you and Big Z are fine then" I get a nod from the girl "I need to go talk to some of the Jedi for a bit Mish, find out the next step. I'll catch up with you when I do, deal?"

The girl nods her head rapidly, turning around and almost skipping away, in the opposite direction of the temple, heading towards the beach we first landed upon. I turn back towards the temple, where Revan, Bastilia and what looks like the remains of the Jedi council stand. Instead of just a short green person, there is also a human male there now, with grey hair that seems to be on its last legs before he goes bald. I begin walking over, right as Revan turns in my direction, and waves me over. I quickly make my way over.

"Jason, I would like to introduce you to Masters Vrook and Vandar" He tilts his hand pointing first at the human before the short green, whose race I actually have no idea. I nod my head, but refuse to bow, I am sith after all.

"This is the Dark Jedi you spoke of?" Asks Vrook, his brown eyes glaring at me armed with suspicion, as Revan nods his head.

"Yes Master Vrook. He was been assisting us since Tatooine where we found the first Star Map and proved himself an invaluable ally. Our journey to today would have been near impossible to do without him or his fellow Sith's help" despite the praise from Revan, Vrooks' glare doesn't leave me.

"And what of the girl? Kata-something?" he asks.

"Katarina" corrects Revan, a sting in his tone. It isn't that hard to figure out he isn't a fan of this Vrook, and neither am I "And she is currently with the Sith who have surrendered"

"And what is she doing with them?"

"Now now Master Vrook" interrupts the short Master Vander "Both of them have helped the Jedi. While it is unsettling to know it was Sith who helped us win this war, they are all allies and should be treated as such"

I nod my head in appreciation to Vander, as Vrook seems to take a step backwards from his interrogation, although I'll admit I'm curious as to what Katarina is doing with the Sith who surrendered. I hope she isn't executing them, that isn't her style, but maybe she is losing her mind.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Master Vander. I suspect there will be many things we must discuss over the coming weeks, but for now I would like to thank you for your accommodation" While it is important for us to come to some sort of truce between Jedi and Sith, where only war has ever existed, that will come in time. I will need time to discuss with Katarina our selection process, how we interact with the Jedi, if at all, or if we go off on our own and request the Jedi leave us to our own devices. So much to figure out, and after just crushing the current Sith Empire, I think we've done enough to deserve a break.

"Indeed so Sith Knight" he replies "But for now, I think, a truce be implemented. Between The Jedi Order and Your Sith. With Malek dead, the mantle of Dark Lord falls to the next in line, as per Sith Tradition. You are next in line"

My Sith? I never through about it, not properly, but I'm the leader of the Sith now Malek is dead? While this does mean that Revan has truly picked the life of the Jedi, I wasn't prepared for this. I embarked upon this journey for revenge and revenge alone. Power was never my intention, and yet, it seems it has come to me. First before we attacked the Star Forge, and here now, I'm being given the Sith to rule.

"I'm not sure what I am, but I am no Dark Lord" I say finally after an entire minute of silence "A Dark Lord is someone who intends to use his power for evil, his selfish purpose. I will rally the Sith with me, but we will not be as Malek's sith were. We will not threaten the galaxy with war. We will take those who do not believe the Jedi's way is the right one…" Vrooks hand slides down to his lightsaber while Vander's face remains unreadable "And instead of them raising an army, we will accept them into our ranks. Where this usually results in a war, we will not. Jedi and Sith will be at peace"

Silence consumes the air at the prospect, one I'm sure the Jedi dislike. The Jedi and Sith have been at war with each other since their founding, who knows how long ago now. It is the norm so to speak, and I suspect any long time members of both orders to dislike it. It's not that they enjoy the war, but the war of ideals of how to control the force, and these ideas directly contrast each other. And a war on ideals will last so much longer than a war over territory.

"I think it could work" chimes in Jax "For as long as I'm aware, the Jedi have defeated the Sith, only for others to rise and take the mantel in this war, I myself being an example of this. Jason will keep his Sith in line, out of the view of the Galaxy. They will see the Sith as gone, and the Jedi as victorious…"

I glare over at Jax, who raises his eyebrow back at me. This is where, I'm sure, some Sith have descended into madness, from this level of belittling. While I do understand why, after this war the civilian population will have a fear of the Sith, to be forced into hiding to make the Jedi seem victorious is wrong.

"Something wrong, is there?" asks Vandar, looking up at me.

"While I do understand that the Sith must not be seen by the public, I won't have us treated as subservient to the Jedi. We will work with you, not under you…" I say, surprised at the steel in my voice "If you try and control us, then one day you'll meet someone who is not as, understanding as I am…and the cycle will repeat itself again, and again…"

"Think on these matters we must" Vander says finally, after a pause where I feel Vrook considered striking me down a dozen times, given the look of annoyance on his face. The Jedi code has its advantages I'm sure, he hasn't killed me…yet "It is not the Jedi way to rush, and I think given the situation, time will be needed. Speak to the rest of the Jedi councils, I must. But speak on this later, we should. Much I have to discuss with the Jedi survivors I do…"

"Of course Vandar" I nod my head at the Jedi Master. Out of all of them Jedi, I suspect Vandar is the most flexible, and without a doubt, the oldest. The phrase 'with age comes wisdom' isn't lost to the Jedi, even if some refuse to acknowledge it. The younger Jedi are set in their code, their way is right, the dark side is wrong. But Vandar, and those of the Jedi who have served in battle know, there is a flexibility to them, almost an understanding that the Jedi code, while usable, doesn't apply to every situation, exceptions need to be made, and this is one of them. Ask a new Jedi Knight about this alliance, and they'd refuse to. But ask a Jedi who has seen so many die in this war, give him the option to save so many, and I think even Vrook would struggle to not see the benefit of this alliance.

I start walking away, leaving the Jedi to do, whatever it is they do in their spare time. I'll admit I'm curious how they'll deal with Jax and Bastilia, given their fondness to each other and the Jedi's dislike of said interactions. I head down, away from the temple, and quickly find what I'm looking for. The Jedi had mentioned Katarina was dealing with Sith who had surrendered, and it seems the prison holding them was a field prison, made on Energy Cells and the power supply of a Republic Dropship. The Energy cells were what you'd except to see anywhere in the galaxy. A circular disk on the bottom, a 'neck' which held the energy and a circular roof to capture and direct it to the bottom. There were nearly a hundred cells in the area, all of them occupied with individuals, mostly humans although there are a few Twi'leks that I can spot among them. Standing in front of the closest cells was Katarina. She was no longer wearing her Dark Jedi robes, the ones she'd been wearing when we attacked Malek, but instead was wearing civilian clothes that comprises of a bland white shirt and navy blue jeans. Her hair was let loose, split evenly over each shoulder as she seems to be talking to a high-ranking Sith office, given the number of stars of their grey uniform. I walk up to her, where she turns around to greet me.

"I see you're awake" she says, raising an eyebrow at me "I assume the Jedi sunk their fangs in on you?"

"By sunk their fangs in, you mean made it very clear we aren't to rally a force against them, then yes. The Jedi seem fine with us rally Sith, as long as we don't make too big of a splash in the water" while not actually true, that is one of the many negotiable parts of our to-be alliance "What about you? You seem to be making friends?"

Katarina rolls her eyes at me "Friends? More like saving their lives, or at least those who join our cause" she says, resting both her hands on her hips "I thought they could all join us, or at least offer them a spot"

I raise an eyebrow at the girl. While I do agree as a new Sith force, we need to be rallying as many as we can, I find myself hesitating to rally all of Malek's surviving Sith. I'm sure among some of them, fanatical wait for a chance for vengeance, much like how I did when Malek tried to kill Revan. While not all would be, it is a precaution we must take. "Just remember these people were the very same that would happily rule the Galaxy under Malek. While I dislike the idea of discarding them based on their pasts as not all of them would, we must be vigilant that there may be some who will attempt to kill us for this alliance with the Jedi"

"You see the worst in people" she counters "I see people that have the chance to help us set a new Sith force"

"And I see the possibility, within all these people, the one that will destroy us from the inside" I counter, getting a sigh of annoyance from Katarina "It's not that I distrust all of them" I say, finding the need to explain myself "But we are on the most important part of our existence Kat. If this works, Jedi and Sith will be allies, the war will end for as long as our order exists. And all it'll take is a single Sith to destroy everything we will build"

Katarina shakes her head at me, much like how a parent would to their child "I hate that you're right sometimes" she admits, getting a toothy grin from me.

"We are changing everything Kat, history itself can be rewritten. We can end this war forever. No more people like me and you, people who are forced into conflict and follow it for its all they know" Kat's stance changes almost instantly, as I'm sure it would. As Katarina said to me before, she hated that she was what she was, a warrior. Who knows what the girl would have become. A singer, a writer, hell, maybe she'd of become a Sith one way or the other, but the facts are simple. Both of us have become who were are through blood, and we would stop it.

"We'll change the future then eh?" her voice comes out stronger than I'd thought it would, and the look in those eyes of hers, the look of a women, no longer a girl, who was ready for her future "And I presume you're in for the ride?"

"You're damn right I am" I smile over at her. My feeling for Katarina haven't been simple. On Manaan I was swooning for the girl, but on Kashyyyk I realized that it had dwindled. It wasn't like those holonet stories you read where they fall in love and it burns forever, filled with conflict and passion. No, this wasn't us. We would be better, no emotion to split us up. We have a single goal, a single mission, to unite the Sith for a safe future, and we would do it together.

I let out a slight sigh as my mind drifts to that girl from Korriban, Ronah, the girl with delicate brown hair and a music note on her shoulder. I wonder what has come of her. Would she fall into the trap that we did, and be drawn into battle? Or would she break the cycle and create a life for herself. I should, one day, try and track her down perhaps. But that would come later, for now, there is so much I have to do, and not enough time.

At that moment, my wrist-link starts buzzing as I raise my left arm, opening the device, the holographic screen popping out. It was a message from Canderous, of all people, I wasn't expecting that. It was simply a location, left side of the temple. Nothing else. I let out a sigh, what the Mandalorian had in store for me I haven't a clue, but I doubt he's inviting me for a dinner.

"Canderous wants to talk to me" I inform Kat, who simply nods her head.

"Alright, I'll stay here then. See who survived, from what I've seen there are mostly admin staff over actual Dark Jedi…And I hate to say it, but you may be right, there's every chance one of them could turn on us. I'll be extensive when I look through them"

I give her a nod of approval before turning around and starting to walk back up towards the temple. The Jedi Vrook had moved, now was conversing with Bastilia and Vandar on the right side of the temple, and I walk away, takin a wide birth, and approach the left side. True to his message, there was Canderous standing there, leaning against one of the many monoliths that were buried into the ground. What I wasn't ready for was Jax standing beside him. What were they planning?

"Good to see you're actually walking. You aren't slacking on the job it seems" remarks the Mandalorian, I assume that's his attempt his humour, although it did fail to make my smirk.

"I assume there's a reason we're hiding off to the side?" I ask "And I'm guessing the Jedi aren't going to like it"

"You're not wrong" Revan says "Jason, you remember the Mask of Mandalore yes?"

"Of course" I say, frowning slightly, why was this coming up now? "The Mask of Mandalore is worn by the Mandalore, as a sign of power and rulership over the Mandalorian people. What about it?"

"We've finding it, I remember I hid it…So that the Mandalorians may never again rally like they did…But I trust Canderous to do good. I trust him to rally them"

I let out a slight sigh. While I did trust Canderous, the idea sits poor with me. The Mandalorians had rallied together and threatened to wipe out everything, only stopped by the Jedi. If they were to do so once again, the Galaxy would fall. The Jedi and their Republic allies are far too weak to stop them if they tried.

"Your memories aren't coming back?" I ask, getting a sad nod from Revan.

"A lot of my memories are back, including some of my largest ones, but…the mast remains out of sight. I hope you remember…" he pleads, as I become aware both of them were looking at me. They wanted me to disclose the location of the Mask of Mandalore. I let out a deep sigh.

"Rekkiad…" I say after a pause "The north quadrant of Rekkiad, tomb of Dramath the Second" I inform them. I'd always known where it was located, ever since I suggested to Revan we ditch the mask somewhere they'd never look, why would the Mandalorians look in the tomb of a long forgotten Sith Lord in the outer rim which was covered in ice? "It's in the sarcophagus itself"

"Thank you" says Canderous before stalking away past me, leaving me worried. Did I truly do that right thing there?

"You did" answers Revan as if he was reading my mind "You know Canderous, while he doesn't regret fighting, he knows he cannot do it again. We can trust him, we need to…" at that moment, his eyes appeared darker, grimmer "We have to"

"This is more than just a trinket as a thank you…" I say "You remembered something didn't you? You remembered going away"

Revan nods his head "Yes. I don't remember everything, but I found a planet…It was…different. I can't remember what happened after that, but there is something out there Jason. Something that wants us gone"

"You're leaving again aren't you?" I ask, getting a passive look from Revan, before, thankfully, a slow shake of his head.

"My memories aren't solid enough, I don't remember where this planet is…Besides, I've got plenty to do here now. But when I learn, I'm going…But I need you to rally the Sith"

"Rally the Sith? I can't come with you, again?" I say in protest, anger flooding through me at being left behind again! "I've always been there for you when you needed me Revan! Every time you asked I've come, a-and, you just leave me behind!"

Pain flashes over Revan's face, and guilt, causing me to pause. It was in his eyes, where he could never hide such emotions.

"It's not that I don't want your help. It's to save the others. If I fail, if something happens to me, you will be prepared"

"No!" I snap, my anger flooding the force around us, poisoning the force as it flows through the air "I refuse to be left behind in case you fail! Take me, I can make sure you don't fail…."

"I failed before…" he says coldly, glaring through me "When I came back I'd changed, fallen to darkness fully. That's right isn't it" hating it, I nod my head. When Revan returned, he'd become darker, more in tune with the Dark Side of the Force than when he'd left "Then you understand that there is something out there, that is evil. Something that twisted me into the Darkness, and I cannot risk leaving without others knowing"

"So you'll head off, and hope you can defeat it alone?" I ask "And all the while leaving us behind to prepare in case you fail?"

"Putting it bluntly…yes" he answers

"And you're doing it one way or the other aren't you?"

"….Yes"

"What about Bastilia?"

"I'll come to that when it's time. I'm not leaving yet"

I let out a sigh. I know there's no point wasting my energy trying to convince him otherwise, I know him well enough to know he's going regardless. Arguing with him on this matter would be pointless, so instead tap my foot against the ground. Or at least, that's what I tell my body to do and I can hear my shoe hitting against the ground, but my leg couldn't feel nothing for me anymore.

"It's a big galaxy Jason, and you're about to tidal wave in a giant pond with what you're planning to do. I'll be there however I can"

And with that, boost of encouragement, he walks off, leaving me alone. I shake my head.

Maybe this is too much for me, everything I'm trying to do could be forgotten in the years to come and no one would morn me. But maybe they will, maybe, if I do this right, I could unite peace throughout the galaxy, Sith and Jedi together, united. That is the dream, a dream I must push towards a reality. Thankfully, I'm not going to be alone. Katarina will be at my side, leading me, pushing me, and never letting me back away from the task. I'm sure Mission will try and help, although where the girl plans to go next is anyone's' guess. Canderous is doing similar to me, rallying an army to prepare for the worth outcome.

I have to do this…Because no one else can. I have to unite the Sith for and for all, and doing so, prevent war. That is, our only chance of survival.

Author notes:

Hi guys. Its over!...

At least this part is. I do have a plan for Kotor 2 and, being the nerd I am, did some poking into what happens after Kotor 2 and writing a plan for that. I do thank everyone for traveling on this journey with me. My writing style has developed so much thanks to this project, and I hope to continue with the additional stories. Despite being at university, I really do aim for have the new story, at LEAST the first chapter, uploaded a month after this is posted and edited (Which will take time knowing how lazy I am)

Once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone who's been there with me throughout this story, and a special shout out to my friend who reads it and is my sorta consort. I come and rant to them whenever I'm stuck or need to get ideas out. R, I owe ya a ton for helping me finish this story.

Anyway, I'll see ya guys and gals later.