Chapter Two: New Masters

Master Kreia had chosen him.

Malak wasn't sure why. She hadn't seemed to have any particular interest in anyone in the proceedings. Though he'd noticed she'd been pushed by Zhar and Dorak particularly hard after Bastila's fight with Revan. She became very annoyed at something.

He wondered if she hadn't decided on Malak simply to spite someone else. Whatever the reason, Malak was now walking behind the old woman. They made their way through the rolling green plains of Dantooine. On and on they walked, past grazing herbivores and sleeping kath hounds. Until at last, they came before a great ruin.

It was a severe contrast to the rest of the landscape. The black stone was like no rockface Malak had seen on Dantooine. The pillars that lined the way to the entrance were of a jagged cut and loomed like dark fingers. As they drew near the entrance, he felt a chill go through him. He felt as if he were in a place where something was very wrong.

"What is this place, Master Kreia?" asked Malak.

"This?" asked Kreia, a smile coming to her face. "This, young Malak, is a ruin fueled by the Dark Side. The Masters sealed this place long ago. They left no record of what they found within and told no one of it. It is a forbidden place, to take one step inside would be a violation of the highest laws of the Jedi."

"But why?" asked Malak.

"No one knows," said Kreia. "The Jedi who entered this place saw to that. Whatever dangers lie within we cannot know. And if they were ever unleashed, we would be quite unprepared for them."

"Are we going in?" asked Malak, dearly hoping they weren't.

Kreia's smile widened. "Of course not. It would not be pragmatically appropriate. And I am not so disenfranchised with the order to disobey such tenets."

"Why do you distrust the order?" asked Malak.

"What makes you think I do?" asked Kreia.

"I saw you meeting with the other members of the order," said Malak. "You don't see eye to eye with them. They kept pushing you to take a student, Bastila I think. So you chose me to spite them."

Kreia laughed. "You are far more observant than your appearance dictates."

"I used to clear minefields on my homeworld," said Malak, remembering those days with a shudder. "Revan and I wouldn't be alive if we didn't pay attention."

"Yes, you are correct," said Kreia. "I was pushed to take Bastila. I believe they hope that having a student after their own heart will mellow my beliefs. I do not see eye to eye with the order on many things, and they are concerned for my wellbeing.

"They are afraid that I will succumb to the dark side like some withered old tree. I think they hope Bastila will somehow save me.

"The truth is, I have no interest in the dark or the light side. I am merely interested in the truth. The Jedi have… narrowed their vision over the years. Once they had no set tenets and allowed the Jedi to speak and believe what they willed. Then came the wars of Ajunta Pall and the coming of the Sith. They were truly terrible. I myself have seen the wars that came from them.

"I remember the fields of bodies. The worlds laid to waste. You've seen a hint of that horror in Mileda Daan, have you not?"

"I've never been in a battle," said Malak. "But I saw one with Revan once. Were the Sith truly that bad?"

"Those we call Sith succumbed to their base instincts. They destroyed and consumed all they could," said Kreia. "And when, at last, they were contained, they devoured themselves. Now they are but a shattered remnant, bands of roving exiles. Hiding beyond the reaches of the Republic, and gathering in such power as they can. Doomed to failure."

"Why are they doomed?" asked Malak.

"The Sith hold that passions should be embraced, as the Jedi hold that they should be suppressed," said Kreia. "The underlying principle of their ideology is not wrong. But their use of it resulted only in destruction. For the true Sith has no allegiance save to himself. He kills those who oppose him and takes what he desires without regard for morality or right.

"He is an animal, less than an animal, a savage. And any power he gains over his fellows is held only by his strength. A moment of weakness and he is undone. The Sith remain in isolated dark places of the universe, but there is no leader strong enough to rule them.

"Even if they gained such a leader, even if all they hoped for was achieved, they would only devour themselves. And their names and deeds would pass from memory. No, whatever the virtues of the ideology, they are unfit for power.

"But I fear the Jedi Order has overreacted. Dogmas were created, strict rules set in place to ensure that none might become Sith. We have become the antithesis to our enemy. They are reckless and devoid of order. We do not act when we should and gradually stagnate."

"But the Jedi aren't stagnant. We help people, end wars and protect people," said Malak, remembering when Zhar and Vandar first came to his world.

"Is the Galaxy any different than it was a century ago, young Malak?" asked Kreia. "There are still Sith to be fought. There are still planets where innocent people are sold as chattel. The Republic relies on us more and more. Is that preferable? That we should shelter the Galaxy from dealing with its own problems? Until we fade, and they are left without aid or ability?"

Malak did not understand this. "What are you trying to teach me?"

"Teach you?" asked Kreia in amusement. "I am telling a story. If you were hoping for a cut and dried ideology, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. If there is anything I would teach you, it would be to make up your own mind." Her expression went dark. "Whatever you become, Malak, become it because of your own desires and decisions. To descend into darkness, or scale into light, is meaningless if it is not made of your own will. Unless you have chosen the fate that befalls you, you are nothing."

Then she sighed. "Now, perhaps we should move on to your skills. You are, for now, my apprentice. Should you prove yourself worthy, one day you may attain the rank of Padawan. "I took note of your abilities during the sparring session. You went out of your way to avoid attacking, even if it was to your advantage. I would know how well you fair when not faced with restrictions. Draw your saber."

Malak obeyed, drawing the lightsaber he had made. Only once before had he drawn it, and now it surged out a bright blue. At the same time, Kreia drew her own saber, violet. "Come at me now."

Malak hesitated.

"Do so," said Kreia. "Show me what you are capable of. Do not hold back as you did against Meetra Surik. Unleash your aggression."

Malak did so and rushed forward. This was a Jedi Master, and she was ordering him to use his emotions. He slashed at her, and his blade was parried, and he knocked back. Slashing at her, her struck again and again and each time was deflected with the utmost ease. As he did, he began to see things.

The piles of bodies in his hometown. The endless waves of men slaughtered by blaster emplacements. Friends, his age and young, consumed by mines that left only bloodied pieces. He found his anger, that thing which had consumed him, rushing out. He roared and attacked all the faster, and yet nothing came of it.

Malak attacked again and again. He no longer thought of the safety of Kreia. All that mattered was getting through. He tried attacking low; he tried coming at her from her off-hand. And yet the old woman remained there, very still. At last, he fell to his knees, gasping for air.

"As you can see," said Kreia, "anger is of precious little use unless it is mastered. You have suppressed it, let it grow and fester. So it is useless to you."

Malak looked up, suspicious. "Are you Sith?"

"No," said Kreia. "I am not such a fool as to become one. I brought you to this place where darkness is seeped into the ground for a purpose. To draw out the rage which you have been taught to suppress. So that you can destroy it."

Malak turned off the lightsaber, feeling exhausted. His body was shaking. "Destroy it?"

"Yes," said Kreia. "Only when one understands something can it be truly destroyed. If you plunge your emotions into the darkness and lock them away, you will never understand them. They will tear at the back of your mind again and again. And if they ever get loose, you will not be able to control them.

"The anger you feel is part of you. Only when that fact is acknowledged can it be controlled." She paused, undoing her lightsaber. "In regards to more practical matters, it is as I suspected. You are far better on the attack.

"Tell me, where did you learn this style?"

Malak paused. "Revan and I um… we practice together at night. I sort of adapted it."

"I was told you had a strong camaraderie," said Kreia.

"We do," said Malak. "He is my best friend."

"A relationship that the Jedi do not encourage," noted Kreia.

"Master Zhar, Dorak, and Vrook never had a problem with it," said Malak.

"Perhaps," said Kreia. "And they are wise to do so. Emotional attachments may ground one as well as leas you astray. But the ideals of the Jedi deny all bonds. A true Jedi is a pillar, acting according to the will of the Force without any emotion. No love, no hatred, simple oblivion. There is no emotion. There is peace.

"If the Jedi do not discourage friendship, they have acted contrary to their ideology."

"Are you saying I shouldn't be friends with Revan?" asked Malak, not liking what she was saying.

Kreia smiled. "I am saying nothing. I am no longer so foolish as to believe I understand the universe and how it should be. I am merely noticing that the Jedi are not willing to become the thing they claim to be the ideal knight.

"Come, we should return. This place… darkens my thoughts and I want to return to the Enclave. There I will begin teaching you the ways of the Jedi."

Malak had the feeling that Bastila would not have lasted five minutes under Kreia's tutelage.


It was the first training Meetra would have with her new master. She wasn't sure why Vrook had chosen her, she'd thought for sure that he'd choose Bastila. But he'd chosen Meetra instead. Now here she stood in the training yard, waiting, her new saber in hand.

She hadn't been given the honor of making her own yet; she wasn't a Padawan. So the standard-issue variety would have to do for now.

And here came Vrook, scowling and looking serious as always. He stood before her and held her in his gaze for a moment. At last, he spoke. "Meetra Surik, you are among the most talented Jedi in this Enclave," said Vrook You have performed near or at the top of your class in almost everything you have set your hand at. However, you still have a great deal to do before you are to be considered worthy of the rank of Padawan.

"For the moment, I have chosen to take you on as my apprentice. If you perform well, you may in time stand among the more trusted of our order."

"Yes, Master Vrook," said Meetra.

"Good," said Vrook. "I have here a datapad. I want you to familiarize yourself with this."

Meetra took it and saw a list with times next to it. Virtually every hour of the day was filled in with one form of training or another. She looked up. "What is it?"

"That is your schedule," said Vrook. "And it will begin tomorrow. As for today, I have this." And he handed her another datapad. "A detailed history of the war of Exar Kun. And the justifications every Dark Jedi on record used for their actions.

"Memorize it."

"But I already studied the war of Exar Kun," said Meetra.

"The basic texts, yes," said Vrook. "But a Jedi much remain eternally vigilant. They must always strive to increase their understanding of the universe. The book on that datapad is a far more detailed chronicle.

"And far less pleasant to read about.

"Once you understand it, you may also understand why a Jedi must crave neither adventure nor glory." Then he paused. "For now, we'll begin with lessons on controlling your body with the force."

Meetra listened and learned.


Revan was not particularly interested in this.

Yes, the grasslands of Dantooine were technically dangerous. But not in a Mileda Daan sort of way, more in a Dantooine sort of way. So if you were careless and unlucky, you might get munched on by a hungry kath hound. As opposed to being lucky if you only got one leg blown off.

At least Vandar wasn't as judgemental as Vrook. The small, green alien led him and the other four trainees through the grasslands. Nice weather. Though Bastila kept shooting him dirty looks, so he had succeeded in getting under her skin, at least.

At last, they halted before a grove of trees, and Vandar turned to them. "Now bid all of you welcome to the Agricultural Core of Dantooine. You are here, either by choice or by assignment to aid in one of the most important parts of the Jedi Order." Revan smirked at Bastila, whose scowl deepened. "While Jedi are known most of all as diplomats and, occasionally, warriors. But these are merely the more famous parts of our order — not the most important.

"Indeed, the Agricultural Core is in many ways more representative of the Jedi. We grow crops that help feed starving colonies; we build houses that the poor house in. We repair devices that help hundreds."

"Congratulations on your new demotion, everybody!" said Revan.

Nobody laughed. Revan didn't care. He got amusement out of it, and that was what mattered. Bastila scowled at him. "Do you find this funny, Revan?"

"Actually, I do," said Revan.

"Oh, shut up! You got demoted too!" snapped Dak Vesser, brown-skinned with brown hair.

"Yes, but rank doesn't matter to me. I'm just happy to be here," said Revan.

"Ahem," said Vandar.

Revan bowed dramatically, eyeing Vander's lightsaber and wondering how you made one. He had an idea of the construction from his training saber at his belt. "Forgive me, Master Vandar."

"Today our task is a simple one," said Vandar, turning around and motioning to a bent and withered old tree. "There is a tree here that has begun to die from a disease. Together, you are to heal it."

Revan was not about to let that go unchallenged. "Isn't that a bit hard on the disease?"

"Revan, stop it," said Bastila.

"No, I am willing to take questions," said Vandar. "Explain what you mean by that, Revan."

This was unusual. Revan had forgotten he was dealing with Vandar and not Vrook. "Diseases are living creatures just as trees are. Is it right to purge it simply to keep a tree alive?"

"True," said Vandar. "However, this tree plays an important part in the ecosystem of this world. It keeps the soil from eroding and allows other plants to grow. It creates an atmosphere that this world needs to support life. The disease would destroy all that and leave the world a far worse place."

"Why would the world be a worse place if other plants don't grow?" asked Revan, playing Dark Side's advocate. "Why is it right for life to exist on this world, as opposed to a barren, lifeless rock?"

"The Force created life long ago," said Vandar. "It is the will of the Force that life exists, to thrive and multiply and grow."

"Why is the will of the Force important?" asked Revan.

"Knock it off, Revan," said Dak. "Some of us don't want to get expelled."

"Yes," said Belaya, red-haired and looking bitter. "This is not the time."

"It's just a question," said Vandar. "Why is the personal preferences of the Force important. However, it is one without a direct answer, for it is looking at it from the wrong perspective.

"The Force is not personal in nature, young Revan. It is the will of life itself. It desires what is best for all life, and it enacts its will through every one of us. Every stone and tree is influenced by it to bring about a better universe."

"Except the disease," noted Revan. "By nature, it is a destructive force and therefore needs to die. Is that fair?"

"Diseases are not a natural occurrence, Revan," said Vandar. "They are a corruption of something that was once good. Much like the Dark Side twists and corrupts those who use it until they are but shadows of who they once were.

"I would be glad to discuss this later. However, we have a task to perform, and your fellow students are getting impatient. Each of you will form up around this tree. Reach out with your feelings as you were taught and find where the disease has taken hold."

They obeyed, circling around it. Revan turned the situation around in his mind, wondering how he could make it belong to him. As he obeyed, he reached forward and felt the disease, plaguing the tree. Corrupted cells, turned by imperfections into a mockery of their former selves. Or perhaps one form of life feeding on another.

"Can you feel it?" asked Vandar.

"Yes, Master Vandar," said Bastila.

The others said an affirmative.

"Good," said Vandar. "Now, as you were trained, reach forth and inspire the tree to work against the sickness. Put your will into the tree and focus."

They obeyed. Vandar provided much advice by that, guiding them as they worked together to force the tree to recede. As they did, little by little, they began to work at it. Healthy cells rallied like an army, and the force was set against the disease. Little by little, it burned away. Revan wondered if he felt nothing because it truly was an abomination. Or merely because it was not like him.

Whatever the result, the disease was slain, and the tree seemed better for it.

"Excellent work, all of you," said Vandar. "You've performed better than I could have expected. Now, reach out with your mind and feel through the other trees. What do you sense?"

They obeyed and felt the same sickness in each one of them. It was smaller, less obvious. But in time it would consume them, just as it had been consuming this one.

"…There is sickness all over this place," said Dak. "It's only just growing in."

"Exactly," said Vandar. "Your task for the next few days will be to heal each of these trees in turn. For now, we should retire for the moment."

And here was Revan's chance. "Can we keep working?"

"Hmm?" asked Vandar.

"If we finish this task today, then we can move on to another one tomorrow," said Revan. "That will mean we'll fulfill the will of the force that much faster."

Vandar eyed him, then looked away. "…If the other students are willing to do so, I do not see why not."

"I, for one, am more than willing to continue working," said Bastila, looking away in a huff.

"Why should we go further with this than we already have?" asked Dak. "We've completed our job."

"I agree with Dak," said Belaya, looking a bit tired. "There is no need to hurry."

"How much respect will we gain for doing just this, Belaya?" asked Revan. "Right now, everyone who got picked by the Masters are turning up their noses on us. If we go back having done the bare minimum, they will dismiss us as failures.

"Washouts.

"But what if we finish an entire clearing in one day? Our first day? That will be an achievement, one made while they are being oriented with their masters. While they were given some basic training, we will have achieved something great.

"Do you want to spend the rest of your lives being known for doing the bare minimum? Or do you want to choose a harder path to greatness."

The two-eyed each other, and finally looked to Revan.

"…Fine, we'll try it," said Dak.

"I suppose it cannot hurt to try to heal a few more," said Belaya.

"Great," said Revan, turning through things in his mind. "Alright listen up, if we all work on each tree, we'll exhaust ourselves, so this is the deal. Belaya and I will work to heal one tree while Bastila and Dak rest. Once we've done one of them, we'll rest, and they'll do the next one. And so on and so forth.

"That way, none of us will exhaust ourselves.

"I'll go first, come on Belaya."

The two of them walked on to where the next tree was. As they did, Belaya looked at him in surprise. "I'm surprised at you, Revan. You've never demonstrated this much interest in the order before."

"I like a challenge," said Revan with a smile. "Come on; you take the other side."

Revan and Belaya began their work again. It was more difficult this time, with only two people they lacked the ability to heal as easily. The disease clung to life, fighting back tooth and nail and Belaya began to falter. Revan pressed on, channeling his will.

Then, suddenly, he felt confident. As if this was the simplest thing in the world to do. Yes, it resisted, and yes, it was difficult, but the difficulty was not so harrowing. This was not natural, but he used the inspiration to destroy the disease.

Then he looked up to Vandar, Bastila, and Dak and made his way up the hill toward them. He felt a bit tired, but some rest would help. "That takes care of that. Bastila, Dak, you're up."

And so they did. Revan looked to Belaya. "Belaya, did you suddenly feel very inspired while we were working there?"

"Yes," said Belaya. "Master Vandar, did you do something?"

"If you mean used the force, no I did not," said Vandar.

Revan looked to where Dak and Bastila were working on the tree. Dak looked reluctant and annoyed as they worked at it. Bastila seemed to pick up on this, then turned to the tree and focused. At once, Dak seemed to channel his frustration and anger into the task. Soon enough, Revan felt the disease be consumed. Bastila returned, looking pleased with herself. "We've finished this tree, Revan."

"Great," said Revan. "We'll move on to the next then."

And so it went. As they worked, Revan noticed something. Whenever they felt like quitting, they felt new inspiration. Observing Bastila, she almost always seemed to be noticing their frustration. Somehow setting her will against it.

Was she aware of what she was doing? It didn't matter.

Vandar certainly seemed happy. "I am very pleased with your conduct in this mission, young Jedi. I will tell the Masters of your good work. For now, we should return before it becomes dark. Even Dantooine is not entirely safe."

And so they began their journey back. Dak and Belaya seemed glad of their efforts and talked loudly to each other. Revan eventually moved up quietly behind Bastila and tapped her on the shoulder. She flinched and whirled around. "Revan, don't startle people like that."

"Sorry," said Revan, "could I speak with you in private behind those stones. I need to talk to you."

Bastila looked to Vandar who nodded. They went behind them, and Bastila scowled, scrunching her face up like a kinrath pup. "What is it this time, Revan? I think you've taken up enough of my time.

"Forgive me, Princess," said Revan sarcastically. "I was just wondering, did you know what you were doing back around those trees?"

"Of course I did," said Bastila. "I heeded the lessons of the Masters, and so I am prepared. Are you saying I did not pull my weight?"

"I'll take that as a no," said Revan. "You did something earlier. To all of us and I'm sure Vandar noticed it."

"Did what?" asked Bastila. "I do not think you have any right to accuse me of anything."

"There was a point where each of us was about to give up," said Revan. "Several points. Then you focused on us, and suddenly we turned our frustration to focus. I think you accidentally did something to help. Amazingly."

"Amazingly?" said Bastila. "How dare you- Nevermind. If I did something, it was entirely unintentional, I assure you."

"Well, I think you should figure out how to use it," said Revan. "If we can motivate the other members of the Agricultural Corps we could achieve all kinds of things. For the betterment of Dantooine, of course."

"What are you scheming, Revan?" asked Bastila, frowning again.

"I want us to reach our full potential in our new roles," said Revan. "If we can motivate people to act to the best of their ability, it could easily-"

Then, suddenly, Revan's senses flared. He surged forward and shoved Bastila down as a white and orange blur surged over them. Drawing out his training saber he set it to maximum yield as a kath hound surged at them with snapping jaws. He hit the thing in the face, and it recoiled. Press the attack. Don't let up.

He surged forward, hitting the creature again and again. At last, it whimpered and leaped over the stones toward Vandar. Half maddened it rushed at him, slathering. But Vandar raised a hand, and the creature slowed, before grinding to a halt.

"Calm yourself, poor beast," said Vandar, as the creature fell to its haunches.

Revan turned back to Bastila and sheathed his saber. He supposed he ought to offer her a hand, so he did. She took it, face holding a blush. "Are you alright?"

"I…" Bastila halted. "I'm fine, thanks to you. Thank you."

They stepped over the rock and Revan saw the kath hound was now sleeping as Vandar kneeled by it. "What happened?"

"This creature is sick, rabid," said Vandar, leaning forward to touch its snout. "One moment." There was a surging of the Force, and then he rose again. "Come, we should go before it regains consciousness."

On they walked. As they did, Bastila moved up to him. "Revan, what you said about motivating the other students, I agree with it. There is no harm in motivating them, so long as what they're working toward is good."

Revan smiled. Things were going very well, indeed.


Later, Revan played another hologram against Malak. Oddly enough, Malak seemed to be doing better this time. He calculated each move, and despite Revan's best efforts, he found himself having to put a lot of work in.

"So how did it go?" asked Revan.

"Master Kreia is… different from the other Masters," said Malak. "She asks a lot of questions, makes a lot of statements, but never goes anywhere with it. She says she wants me to think for myself."

"Well, that's a lost cause," said Meetra.

"Shut up, Meetra," said Malak.

"So Meetra, how did working with Vrook go?" asked Revan, already knowing the answer.

"He gave me a schedule," said Meetra. "Then a history book. And then he drilled me to exhaustion in the basics we all learned in the academy."

"Are learning in the academy," said Revan, making a move.

"Don't get smart," said Malak, countering it.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" asked Meetra. "You aren't even getting to go on active service. You got demoted to the Agricultural Core."

"Sure, but I've already gotten more done than you," said Revan. "We healed an entire clearing of trees, and I actually got some respect for my trouble for once. Besides, it doesn't matter to me whether I end up raising crops or chopping down Sith Lords.

"I literally don't care."

"So you aren't frustrated at all?" asked Meetra, surprised.

"Well, you know what they say. 'There is no emotion, there is peace.'" said Revan. "I'm pretty much content where I am. Which, ironically, makes me much better qualified to be the ideal Jedi than Vrook."

Malak made a move. Revan began his response.

"Revan," said Malak with a smile.

Revan eyed him. "What?"

"Move there, and you're dead," said Malak.

Revan saw his certain defeat. Malak had outwitted him completely, and now he had only a few moves before defeat. Revan smiled. "…Well played, Malak."

The games were going to get a lot more interesting now. Revan could sense it.


Author's Note:

Okay, a couple of things here. I am taking some liberties with the expanded universe. I decided that putting Vandar in the Agricultural Corps would make sense. For one thing, there have to be some Jedi Masters there. And for another, it gave me a recognizable face to work with.

I chose to put Meetra with Vrook initially because I haven't brought Kavar into things just yet. Malak, on the other hand, was given to Kreia because I find the idea hilarious.