In hindsight I should have asked Alana for the briefing, but then again perhaps not. I look at Pal Manx. "So, just who is Kavanagh?" I say.
Manx grins, "Orson Kavanagh is CEO of Manutec. He wants this entire region opened up for strip mining. This little town and Starport is in the way." he says.
Typical. "I am guessing that the costs involved in paying the local gangs is trivial compared to the buyout cost of the locals and the forecast profits?" At Manx's nod I continue, "So, why hire an actual Mandalorian? You normally don't charge a single credit.:"
"No, we charge a lot more," says Manx with typical stoicism.
"You also don't change sides. Reputation is a lot to a mercenary." I say.
"Honour is more." comes the reply.
Oh, hit you there did I? The Battle of the PIzza must feel truly inglorious.
"I can see that. Still, you knew this would be more than just shooting civilians. Claiming several Jedi would bring much honour and glory."
"There is more."
Damn all stoic warrior societies. Then again, considering that this universe's notable loquacious warriors are the Gungans, stoicism is fine.
"Alright, have it your way. So, this Kavanagh wants whatever metal is below that town, wants it cheaply and with little fuss. This planet is quite lawless making the gangs all nice and deniable. What he doesn't want is to be noticed." I say,
Surik looks up from where she has been making a high tech splint, "What are you proposing? We still can't walk into Manutec."
"Why not? We're just going to talk." I say with a smile.
"So long as you don't mention 'aggressive negotiations'" Surik grouses.
Good point. Hmm, what are my assets? One old courier, Four Jedi in training, one crazy space viking, several astromechs and an ex-corp. I smile as an idea begins to form.
"Stop that Revan. I know what that smile means, this is real, there is no way, stop bloody smiling!" says Surik.
Noticing Surik's outburst Tamman looks up.
"You have an idea?" she says.
"I have an idea," I say with a smile as Surik buries her head in her hands.
"Crazy incel NEET scrub." she mutters.
Back at the town we see to jailing our captives and then make a few inquiries.
"You want our what?" says Jorro, a local.
"Old uniforms, if you have any, that is." I say.
"Eh, dunno, but I'll ask about," says Jorro, probably having second thoughts concerning the legendary wisdom of the Jedi.
"That's all I ask for." I say before departing. The rest of the gang is outside. "They're going to look for us." I say.
"I'm not sure I understand," says Alek.
"I do. This feels, correct." says Tamman.
"It is cunning." adds Manx.
Surik is unimpressed, "Cunning? It's daft. You think some uniforms, a clipboard and a stern manner is going to get you in? That's not, how, okay, it's exactly how this place works." she says, changing as I raise an eyebrow at her.
"Your faith in me never fails to be, disappointing." I say, getting a probably deserved glare in response.
"And of course she is going to agree." says Surik.
"Alana? I will ask. We are the Jedi. No coercion or compulsion. Try to remember that."
"I'm not the one who falls." reminds Surik darkly.
Back at the ship Tamman pulls me aside. "Care to explain what is going on? Why did Surik say you fall?" she says.
"Have you asked her?" I say.
"I am asking you."
"Because, that's my destiny. I don't just fall, I become a Sith Lord. Alek is my second, Surik is my strategist, Alana, one of the millions who I sweep up in my wake as fanatical followers."
"And me? Where am I in all this?" says my friend.
"You're not there." I say.
"What do you mean?" she says.
This really has been something I have been trying to avoid. What happens to my friend for the last six years? Unlike Alana, Tamman has not featured in any prescience. She doesn't fall. She also would rather die than see me do so. Which means...
"I will kill you." I say in a moment of realisation.
Tamman looks into my eyes. I stare back. There is the connection and,
I am standing in a corridor, about me I can hear the bass hum of a ship's engines. In front of me is a shuttle bay where the last of the cowards escaped to. I can feel my anger, my rage at their defiance. I will reach out and drag them back.
"No!"
Tamman is before me, lightsabre out and in a classic guard position.
"Sacrificing yourself so that those traitors can escape? Noble to the end I see."
"A Jedi's life is sacrifice. It's not too late Revan."
"Really? We both saw this. Knew what must happen. I agree though. It's not too late. Join me. Become who you were meant to be."
"I am a Jedi."
"The Jedi are finished. So is the Republic. I will remake the Galaxy to something better. Something powerful. Something where there need not be any Jedi enslaved serving that which does not appreciate them."
"I serve the Force willingly."
"Many slaves believe they have no chains. Open your eyes Tamman. Come, I offer freedom. Freedom to realise your true potential and authority."
"Authority? Listen to yourself Revan. You don't offer freedom, but tyranny. Is that what you really want?"
I smile. "Yes. I want to fashion this silly society into something better and I want you at my side. You can help me, together we shall be unstoppable."
"Why are you doing this? I loved you."
"And I love you. That's why I want you at my side. You know how this ends. Change Tamman, join me."
For a moment, Tamman pauses. For an instant, she wavers. I hold out my hand to her.
"Come."
There is a pause.
"No. I am a Jedi. I serve the Force. I refuse you, Revan." she says and grips her weapon.
She refuses my offer? After all I had done? My weapon is on and I strike, piercing her heart and destroying her, my last obstacle...
The vision ends. We are still staring into each other.
"That," begins Tamman.
"Is a possible future. One we can avoid." I say.
"Was what you said true?" says Tamman.
"All that remake the Galaxy stuff. No, that's all Dark Side madness."
"No, the other part. When you said you loved me."
Damn crazy space opera melodrama.
I stare back trying to formulate a reply. What the hell happens in the next few years? Those games were awfully vague. Go to fight the Mandalorians, discover Star Forge, become puppy kicking evil. Then get betrayed, mnd wiped and latch onto the I guess she's actually attractive, 2003 graphics notwithstanding bod thrown my way. Tamman does not show up at all, a minor detail of Revan's past just erased.
Those, bastards. Those unfeeling, hypocritical, smug bastards. I will come to love Tamman and those sanctimonious arseholes just delete her. Heroic sacrifice and all. It's all nothing to them.
"Revan!" it's Tamman bringing me back.
"The Council, those bastards!" I say aloud.
"The Council?" she says.
"You delay me to save those I do not turn and make a last attempt to bring me back. I, in turn, attempt to sway you to the Dark Side and you resist. A classic sacrifice, worthy of the greatest heroes of Order. You are never mentioned again. When I get captured by the Jedi they will erase this memory and everything about you in an attempt to turn me back. You, will, no longer exist." I say.
Tamman looks back, "They must have had a good reason." she says with a faith I clearly don't possess.
"To save their own worthless, non-interventionist selves. It does not justify what they will do to you."
"What they do? Revan, you are the one who kills me," she pauses to place a hand over her heart. "I felt it, it seemed so real."
"I don't unmake you. I don't deny your existence. I don't make you an unperson." I say bitterly.
"It still happened, will happen. Your memories being changed does not change reality. Also, you're changing the subject."
"I am?"
"Yes, do you love me Revan?"
I slept with my best friend, because, what's a bit of casual sex? Consenting sophonts and all that. Like almost everyone I used to know, I laughed at silly ideas like 'no attachments or sexy times' for Jedi. What a daft idea! Imagine. Except now I am here. This latest mess and a muddle would have been simpler if I had stuck to the goddamn rules. Relationships in this universe should be labeled 'explosive, handle with care'. Adding Force powers is like pouring rocket fuel over everything and then wondering why it's suddenly raining body parts.
"The Galaxy will fall to chaos and ruin, the Jedi drove to near extinction. Trillions will suffer and be destroyed and for what, all over a busty padawan?" Kae's words come back to haunt me.
"Well?"
"No, not yet. Still, in a few years." I confess.
Tamman leans over and gives me a quick kiss, "I'll look forward to it," she says.
"What? This isn't a game or a contest. I go over to the Dark Side. I kill you."
"So? Now that I know all this, I can try harder."
"But."
"No but's. I'm not afraid. Neither should you be. Trust in the Force and we'll beat this."
With that, Tamman departs eerily confident that everything will just work out. Just have faith, believe. How in the hell do I, do that?
For all the existential questions churning about my brain we still have work to do. I walk down the corridor and knock on the door to Alana's cabin.
"Who's there?" I hear her call out.
"It's me, Revan." I say.
In short order the door opens. It would be nice to say that Alana isn't dressed to kill but I don't think it's possible or that she really knows how. She could, for example, roll out of bed, put on a sweatshirt in a half hearted attempt at modesty and still slay them. On most people morning hair says, 'I need my coffee, sorry caf and fifteen minutes with a brush' not 'care to muss me up further'. "How can I help." she says.
"How do you feel about being Czerka middle management again for a bit? Yes? Good, get dressed and meet me outside in ten." I say, leaving before her brain wakes up and objects.
About fifteen minutes later we are walking back into the town. The ever helpful townsfolk have found us some old Czerka uniforms. One of the features of the omnipresent megacorp. Surplus stuff is everywhere. Soon, we are in uniforms and are in a skimmer headed for Manutec HQ.
"So, all good with the plan. Walk in, look like we want to buy the place and poke about." I say.
Alana nods, "Revan, why are we doing this?"
I look at her, "What? We're Jedi. Saving folks from the bad guys is what we do."
Alana looks down, "I'm not a Jedi." she mumbles.
"Which makes you one of the folks being saved, in which case I can return to Go and collect two hundred credits." I say.
"But.."
"Yes, you were a weapon, charged up and aimed at me. We have dealt with that. Once we've shaken you clear of Czerka you can be yourself."
"I don't know what I am, or what I want." she says looking at me.
"No-one's said you have to decide right away. Take your time." I say.
"So what's the plan?" she asks.
"Walk in like we're thinking of buying the place, look around and get an audience with this Kavanagh." I trail off.
"And then?"
"Ask him nicely to leave the town alone."
"And when he refuses? That Kalarite deposit is quite substantial."
"Valuable?"
Alana looks at me, "Kalarite is the ore from which you process Duranium, not to mention its use in the Owli Process."
"So, valuable then. Hmm, could be tricky," I say.
Not long after we are walking into Manutec HQ and are quickly directed to Kavanagh's office. It's well appointed and offers a view over what I imagine is expected to become the hub of an industrial empire. Kavanagh, an older human is currently surveying it. He turns round revealing a 'trust me' face as he smiles.
"Good morning, I was wondering when you were going to show." he says extending a hand.
I shake it, "You have acquired our interest." I say.
Kavanagh stands back, "Well, sorry to say that's all you're going to acquire out here. I'm not selling to anybody. Manutec is mine and it will stay that way."
"You haven't even heard our offer."
"Not interested. Also, don't think of trying any of your usual tricks."
"Like the ones you're employing at the equatorial spaceport?"
Kavanagh's eyes narrow, "How, no, not important I guess," he says as he thumbs something.
A wall panel opens and a spindly red hued droid steps out, a blaster cradled in its hands.
"Greetings Master! How shall I dispose of these annoyances for you?" says the droid.
This is how I meet HK-47? Typical.