Carth Onasi Comes Home ~ EPILOGUE
From the Archives of the Grand Library of Telos IV - The Onasi Family Records; Dustil Onasi, circa 3884BBY
When Father returned everyone could tell both he and Master Revan were much changed. For the better I thought. Which, in the fullness of time, proved true.
Bastila and Revan spent the better part of that day in deep discussion. I assumed they talked about the past, and perhaps the future of the Jedi. One which I gracefully bowed out of. Perhaps not as gracefully as I might like to recall. There was a little stammering as I explained myself to Revan. Given all she did for me in the years before I hesitated to disappoint her. Unexpectedly Revan seemed almost relieved to hear the news. Bastila threw herself into trying to rebuild the weakened Order. The Council mysteriously absent from Coruscant and Dantooine alike. Scattered to the corners of the galaxy as many wild rumors claimed. With threats of a new invasion looming on the distant horizon such an absence was chilling. Finding where the Council had fled only one small piece of work, though Bastila never shared with me their fate if she learned anything. There was also the chore of bringing back into the fold those Knights and Masters who strayed following the end of the Wars. Teachers to train new padawans. No small feat but then Bastila was the ideal person to undertake it.
Father and his friend, Prince Tarrick, also vanished for several hours that day. When Father finally resurfaced he was fairly direct; approaching me about his desire to marry Revan. A marriage he apparently decided was happening that day and not a moment later. I'm not sure if he would have abandoned the notion had I disagreed. Not that I ever considered it. Revan was good for him. For me too. For all her strength in the Force, it seemed Revan's true gift was dealing with hard-headed Onasi men. Something that would serve her well over the next quarter of a century.
Prince Tarrick pulled a great number of strings to arrange a small, intimate wedding at the royal hunting lodge not far away. Father's grand romantic gesture was well received by Revan, thank the stars for that. She was a shy bride. I do not recall ever having seen her blush; before or since that afternoon. I remember Mission weeping and hugging my arm tightly through the ceremony. Even Juhani and Bastila appeared emotional as vows were exchanged. Perhaps the former more than the latter.
Our return to the galaxy was met with little fanfare. Mission told me stories of the triumphant return following the destruction of the Star Forge. Parades, lavish dinners, honorary titles. I think she was a little sad to see no one celebrating Revan like that again. Though I can say with certainty Revan did not share that sentiment.
The Fleet admirals were grateful to have Father back. There was no delegation of Jedi as I expected. From Father's flagship, the Sojourn, I continued ahead with Mission and Zalbaar. The light freighter Father purchased at the beginning of his adventure was gifted to the three of us. It helped the little import-export business the pair founded to grow. Only the first of many ships we ended up acquiring during the years.
In time, the standard nine months, Revan gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Evara Onasi she was named. Strange as it was to become a big brother to a half-sister more then two decades my junior - I was smitten immediately. And though no one really said it aloud I think we were all curious to see if Evara would show her mother's connection to the Force.
It was not Evara however who followed in Revan's footsteps. Rather, it was the twin boys born to Father and Revan just three years after my sister. Both exceptionally talented, and equally capable of finding trouble. To the stress and despair of Father and Revan alike.
Revan took to motherhood well all things considered. She trained the twins in the ways of the Force. Both Light and Dark - as she once trained me. While their elder sister became a Fleet pilot as Father had, the boys forged different paths. One joined the Jedi Order and the other went into the Senate.
As for myself … Mission and I married not too long after we arrived on Coruscant. That I asked Zalbaar for her hand meant a lot to both of them I think. It seemed to go unspoken a life with Mission would include Zalbaar. For which I was grateful. There wasn't a more reliable friend or better uncle to the two children Mission gave me. It eases my old heart to know Zalbaar will be there to look after them and our grandchildren alike.
Juhani and Jolee returned to the outer rim. Their efforts against the rampart slavery which plagued the region were admirable. I helped the best I could with the credits we made with our enterprise.
With her memories intact Revan informed Canderous of where she and Malak buried the mask of Mandalore. A token for the Mandalorians whose worth I could not begin to fathom. He retrieved the mask and was made Mandalore. Father, and Bastila too, expressed their concern to Revan over the reforming of the Clans. But I think she knew Canderous better than either of them. The Mandalorians had been puppets of the Emperor themselves. Or led by one at any rate. They could not have a better or more honorable leader then Canderous.
When Father eventually passed away, older then than I am now, Revan buried him beside Mother. It was a gesture which meant much to me. I think she knew that. Shortly after the service Revan herself vanished. Where, I do not know. Tee-three passed Evara's service who was at the time a ranking admiral as our Father had been. She was for a while dismayed by her mother's absence. My sister Evara and the twins seemed resigned to it. Evara spoke of her Mother, and Father, with fondness and sorrow. She seemed to have accepted Revan was gone for good. Neither would my brothers ever discuss it in detail; though I pressed on a handful of occasions. They certainly knew more than they were letting on. Sometimes I wonder if Revan returned to the Outer Rim. To Dromund Kaas. Perhaps one more attempt to destroy Emperor Vitiate?
Though such a notion sounds ludicrous in the cold light of day. She was old then. Lightsabers long ago traded for a cane of burled wood. A great-grandmother who would happily sit and regale children with magnificent tales of Jedi. Or perform simple tricks of the Force to astonish her young audience.
There are days however where it does not sound impossible. Revan was a woman of great determination after all.
Taver Onasi
He waited on his brother atop a grassy knoll which overlooked the plains of Dantooine. Wind nipping at Taver's homespun robes and at the long dark brown hair he wore past his shoulders. From his neck hung a leather cord. The end tucked into his tunic, hiding the kyber crystal attached to it. One that had belonged to his mother many, many years ago. His twin, Valos, had the crystal that used to reside within their mothers other saber. Though the simple cord had been upgraded by Valos in favor of a chain of fine silver.
Overhead a few clouds strafed the blue sky. Midday sun bright and warm despite the breeze. Taver reached out with one hand and felt the grass rattling against his fingertips. Off in the distance a bull kath hound bellowed. A sound that was low and lonely.
"Is Grand Master planning on rebuilding the temple? Or is she going to leave it looking like that," Valos asked approaching from behind. While identical in height and build they were very different men. Valos wore his hair short and neat. Except for a few errant locks that fell across his brow. Nor did Valos wear the Jedi robes his brother was garbed in. Rather, the senator for Telos IV wore an expensive jacket tailored for the rugged adventurer. A pair of matching boots and the strap of a slim, sleek satchel hung across his chest.
Taver looked at the ruins of the former Jedi Temple then shrugged. While their mother had grown up within those once resplendent walls, Taver did not share his brother's opinion about the place. It should not be resurrected as a shrine the man felt.
He clambered to his feet. Both men were unusually tall. An Onasi trait apparently because by the time they were in their teens both had towered over their mother. With an exhale Taver bent to grab his tattered and patched bag. Swinging it over one shoulder he finally replied to his brother's question.
"I'm not privy to the Council's or the Grand Master's decisions."
"You should be on the Council," Valos commented as his brother turned away. He fell into step beside Taver. Walking shoulder to shoulder they set out, forging a path through the tall grass. Each man had a lightsaber but Valos carried a blaster as well.
Out here there was not much to worry about. It would not be rutting season for the kath hounds for a while. Pirates had little interest robbing from poor farmers and settlers so did not often bother with the planet. Besides if trouble should appear, the twin brothers were as capable as their parents had ever been in handling it.
"The real work doesn't happen on the Council," Taver pointed out striding across the plains. Effortlessly he switched topics. "How is Phala?"
"Well, she sends her love. The kids miss seeing their uncle. Also. You sound like Mother," Valos replied.
"Someone should," Taver said with a touch of defensiveness.
They fell into companionable silence. Hardly a word needed with the depth of their Force bond. Their destination appeared on the horizon. Slightly sunken into the rolling hills. Craters once deep and ugly were beginning to be softened by time. Dantooine's constant winds, seasons of rain, all of it healing the scars left by a long-dead Sith Lord.
A small rise led to a crest from which a craggy outcropping dropped down into a sunken pit. Pillars of stone jutted upwards like fingers reaching for the sky. Broken, crooked, twisted bits of ruins that were not Jedi in origin. The twins paused here to survey the scene. Taver pulled a pair of macrobinoculars from his sack. Bringing them to his eyes he set the magnification to high, then switched on thermal imaging as well.
Beside him, his brother inquired, "Well?"
"Far from safe. One wrong move might bring all that crumbling down on our heads," Taver responded grimly.
Another voice joined the brothers. One they knew well. It did not frighten either of them and spoke with great resolve and determination. "It is there. I have seen it."
Taver looked over his shoulder to the diminutive figured bathed in blue light. Their mother's sudden appearance did cause fright or alarm. Revan had become a familiar ghost over the last few years. She looked young however. Much younger then she had been at their father's funeral, the last time either had seen her in the flesh. And perhaps only Carth would have remembered Revan so young.
She beamed at her sons. Taver felt a thickness in his throat to see her pride in them. Quickly he looked back into the macrobinoculars to disguise the tears.
Valos spoke up. Clearing his throat before addressing a concern both brothers shared. "Are you sure want us to do this? Surely the Rakata technology can't be dangerous. It's - technology! How can a computer be dark side?"
"Perhaps I have placed too much on you," Revan mused. Taver did not see how she shook her head. The blue light flickering as her image momentarily seemed lost. Such feats were taxing Revan explained to them many years before as she trained them in the very same practice. Force keep them both, Taver hoped it would be a good number of years before either would need use of it. But this mission Revan had set her sons upon was too important.
"We can do this mother," Taver said lowering the device. Nothing new had been revealed by the second examination. The Rakata temple was caved in upon itself. There was however a few narrow passages which would allow them access to the inner chambers. Passages so narrow Taver knew they would be crawling for a good chunk of it. Valos would ruin his expensive jacket.
"I think it couldn't hurt the Republic to have access to a Star Forge. If these stations are really as powerful as you say mother then why not tell Evara?" Valos pushed.
"I beg you. Do not be tempted as I was. No one should have such technology Valos. It corrupts even the purest," Revan patiently explained.
Taver turned to Revan and said, "I swear to you mother, if a second Star Forge is out there we'll find it and we will destroy it."
"May the Force be with you both," Revan said, accepting her son's promise with a bow. Then her image flickered once more and was gone.