Dark Heretic-Child of the Sith
By Aglaranna
"Fear, anger, aggression, the Dark Side are they."
-Jedi Master Yoda
Chapter One-Sithling
Two years before the creation of the first Death Star.. Near the planet of Mon Calamari.
She peered over the edges of the window. Behind her, many of the officers grumbled about useless missions as they bustled back in forth before their consoles. She heartily agreed with them, it wasn't fair. The most powerful vessel in the Imperial Armada, Lord Vader's own flagship, resigned to the menial task of baby-sitting. Revan settled herself down to wait, sighing and grumbling would do her no good. Besides, it wasn't proper Sith behavior. 'At least,' She reflected. 'He didn't lock me in the Practice Room with Karth again.' Last time, the young ten-year-old ward of Darth Vader, practiced for hours under her iron willed Imperial Guard's tutelage. Well, Karth was the only one Lord Vader trusted to train her. At least, when he wasn't around. And that did tend to be often. If Vader was dissatisfied with her performance, he'd with hold her meals until she got them right. Receiving only Stormtrooper rations, gray putty mush, though essential in all nutrients, it didn't taste that bad. It didn't taste like anything. 'Well,' she thought wearily. 'When he comes back, he'll work me himself.' Vader was most certainly a harder taskmaster than Karth. After all.she was his apprentice. Considering Vader her mentor and role model, she leaped at the chance to work with him. Even under extenuating circumstances. He was the only father figure she'd ever known. She'd never known her real father, but had been told he'd died during the rise of the Empire. She never knew him, and thus never thought of him. Her bodyguard Karth, was a gruff man and fiercely loyal to the Empire. Sometimes she thought his own opinions did not exist. Like every other soldier on the vessel. Everyone smart enough to close their mouths, that was. He made a good teacher and training partner. But Karth was not much more than that, even if he followed her everywhere.
Revan, a name taken from a Sith Lord existing four thousand years prior, learned little about the actual Force from her master. He preferred to allow his collection of holocrons to give her initial instruction on the basics. A coveted secret of the Empire, Revan remained on the ship when her master went planet side. Few of the officers knew her as anymore than as important to the Empire, one of the thousand other children inheriting horrific fortunes. Revan herself was never sure of her actual standing within the Empire. If there was a battle, they locked her back in her chambers, and didn't let her out until the rebel forces were blasted into slag. She'd remain in her room and told to practice, with only a stun rod, holocron, and remote for comfort. Secrecy, she was taught, is the best way to retain your identity.
"My Lady." Karth's voice rasped. "It's time you returned to your quarters."
Sucking in a deep breath, anger rumbling in her brain, the young twelve-year-old stared at the watery blues of Mon Calamari. Hand twitching at her side, as the Force rippled through her, demanding she lash out and kill the one who ordered her. Blind hatred fogging in the depths of her mind, she clenched her left hand, and took another calming breath. Lashing out would do her no good. It would only bring her trouble. Softly the buzzing in her mind ceased, and the Force flowed serenely fluent around her. "Do I have to?" Plaintively, turning to face him, she glared at the giant guard. "Can't I just." She trailed off, gazing into the black visor of the emotionless mask. Vader taught her to mind her teachers.and Karth, she grudgingly admitted, was her teacher.
"Lord Vader left strict instructions." Reminding her softly, in a grating tone. "You're to practice."
"And you're to supervise." She groaned, screwing her face in abject distaste. Practice, practice, practice, her master told her. 'And once you've finished, do it again.' She did, again and again and again. Every single day.
Karth shoved her, saying without words, "be mindful" and said. "He left a holocron in your room."
'Mind me and be respectful.' She mimicked, rolling her eyes. Trotting off down the stainless floor and corridor, she moved smoothly, like she rolled rather than walked. With the red caped guard hovering behind. Revan ignored the officers, and the troopers constantly patrolling. They were under order's not to associate with her, and she with them. Not that she'd want to. Imperial Troopers were devoid of all emotion, feelings, or otherwise. They were like machines, and machines, from Revan's personal experience, couldn't hold a good conversation. They never seemed intelligent, answering in stiff "yes sirs" or "no sirs", taking orders and getting kicked around. Pointless. Her footsteps clacked loudly, as she walked (running was expressly forbidden) down the hall. Experience early on taught her to wear a poker face, emotion was perceived as weakness. 'Trust no one.' Her mother had warned, and Revan tried to follow the advice.
Arriving at her quarters the door hissed open, and she slid quietly inside. "Meditation." Karth warned, as the door closed. She knew that tone. It meant no Jedi investigations. Interesting as they were, it was supposed to be business only. Sighing, she opened herself to the Force. Remembering one Jedi Master's words.
"The Force is an energy field generated by all living things; it surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. When you become one
with the Force, you will feel the rhythm of the Universe. It will spread through you, and guide you. You will see things that have not yet come to pass, and those that passed centuries prior. The Force is generated by life, manipulated by life, becomes life. The Force is Life.
When you become one with the Force you will feel the rhythm of the
Universe."
She could not remember which man said it, for they all said similar things. But she could recall the first time she touched the Force, never the when or the where, just the feeling. The first time it washed through her system, the first time she innocently opened herself to it, warmth and serenity flooded her. Never would she admit to her Lord this first experience, but it haunted her mind always. The loneliness of space, of the universe, of her soul, vanished. Springing to life, the galaxy did, as the stars quivered in their tentative dance. Each life burning brightly from everywhere and anywhere at once, rhythmically pulsating through her, blinding her. The entire universe pounding in one heart beat, saturating her with comfort. Intoxicatingly wrapping about her. She no longer felt isolated, and was no longer alone.
Settling onto the floor, eyes falling closed, visualizing the small crystalline cube residing on the far quadrant of the holoboard in the center of the room. The cube was smooth like newly polished plasti-steel, quite unlike its deception of the eyes, from the shattered crystal pattern covering it's surface. The length, width, and height of her tiny pinky, it glittered in the artificial light issued by the room's series of glowpanels. Breathing deeply, rhythmically, she stretched out with her senses. Feeling the Force wrap around the tiny cube as if she clutched it within her hand. Imagining it floating across the room, she lifted it and called it to her. Until it hovered over two open palms. Eyes fluttering open, she managed a satisfied smile, lifting things generally took little effort. Be it a tiny holocube or a small Tie Fighter, it mattered not to the Force. 'Size matters not.' She reminded herself, using the odd grammar, many of the other Jedi imitated, gazing at the holocron hanging motionless in the stale air.
"Only a true student of the Force is given access to a holocron." Vader often told her. He told her many things, but most were not fit for a time of meditation and thought. Most involved the standard Vader handbook How to Decapitate Someone in less than Five Minutes. It was, of course, battle techniques her master focused on. But he did not discount how knowledge of the Force might be useful. And without the Force she would not be able to fluidly use a lightsaber, or foresee things like the Emperor.
Focusing the Force directly at the holocron, keeping her thoughts serene as possible, and the cube flickered with bright light. A hologram of a tall black man in brown Jedi robes appeared before her. His lightsaber clipped ceremoniously to his belt. Spreading his hands in a peaceful manner, the holocron said. "These are the teachings of Jedi Master Mace Windu." A deep rich voice issued from the cube soothed her little. Clicking faintly with static, the voice filled the room and spread about her. A warm smile appeared on his stern face. "What would you like to learn today?"
"I'd like." She paused, glancing at the door. Ask questions about the Jedi Order. Karth would have her skinned, and she'd be lucky if he didn't report it to Vader. If he found out, she shuddered. Not from fear, but from the thought of the punishments he was bound to devise. All would be painful, and all would be useful to her training. 'Well.' she thought, rather merrily. 'At least I know he won't torture me.' Outside Karth didn't seem to be paying attention to the happenings of inside the room, sending a tiny suggestion through the Force, she intended it remain that way. Breaking the rules was common for her. Glancing back at Windu's expectant, serene, and almost impatient face, she asked. "All information on the Jedi and the Force." Adding with an after thought. "Please."
"That is too expansive, please specify." Was the almost mechanical answer, sounding far more like a droid than a Jedi Master.
"Fine." She sighed, disgruntled. "What is the Force?"
Mace Windu sank gracefully, assuming the traditional "teacher mode" many of the Master's used. A cross-legged position, where the robes billowed out around them, an incredibly serene expression on their face. "The Force," He recited. "Is an energy field, it surrounds all living things."
"It surrounds us, and penetrates us, it binds the Galaxy together." Revan completed, didn't the holocrons ever have any new information? Thoroughly annoyed, she growled. "I know all this!" Anger boiled up within her. "What is it?" She demanded with child-like impatience. "Tell me! Tell me now!"
Windu gazed down, even as a hologram his gaze was penetrating. She shivered, feeling unsure. Hadn't her reaction to the situation been correct? Was anger not right? "Generated by life." The Jedi continued, undisturbed by the outburst. "When we are aligned with it, the Force guides our actions and our feelings."
"We feel the rhythm of the Universe." Revan sighed. She knew all of this. Peeved, she played with the fringes of her black robe. "What is the dark side?" She asked.
"The true nature of the Force." Came the placid answer. "Controlled by feelings of anger, hatred, fear, and aggression."
"If the dark side is the true nature of the Force, why aren't all Jedi Sith?" She asked herself aloud, it seemed so confusing. What was the difference between a Jedi and a Sith? Was there truly no middle ground? Was the Force really separated? All these questions hurled through her mind, and she knew she could not ask them for they fringed on heresy. Neither, the holocrons or the Dark Lord of the Sith, tolerated heresy.
The holocron gave a high-pitched squeal, like a malfunctioning droid. Apparently the useless machinery had tried to answer her question. Spurting out the words, "Error! Error! Question does not compute!" Over and over, until, a very angry and annoyed Revin waved her hand. Hurling the holocube across the room. Slamming against the wall it uttered up another squeal and tumbled to the floor with a loud clang.
"My lady!" The muffled voice of Karth yelled. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything.is.just.fine!" She fumed, small hands balled into fists. "Just FINE!" In a style similar to Lord Vader's, she strode across the room, picked up the holocron, and gave it a rattle. "Useless piece of junk." Seething, she was tempted to hurl the thing across the room again. Glaring at the darkened cube, she let loose an angry sigh, and flopped onto her bed. The cube still clutched in her hand, she moaned. 'If it's broke Vader'll have my hide!' Fervently hoping it wasn't, she set it back onto the board. 'So the Force is generated by life.the Jedi protect life.' It was a start. 'Maybe the mystery of the Jedi will be revealed soon.' She'd been right to lash out in anger, hadn't she? "Maybe I should practice my sword technique." She thought aloud, if the Cron really was broken, her punishment might be lessened if her technique improved. After all it infuriated Vader yesterday. Walking briskly to where she kept her stun rod, she picked it up and practiced several strokes. Settling into a working routine, and opening herself to the Force, she practiced for the rest of the day.
***
Across the Galaxy, near the Outer Rim, on the planet of the twin suns, across sparse and deserted desert, through sandstorms, deep inside the Jundland Wastes, in a solitary hut, an old man stirred. His face seamed with dusty lines bestowed by un-lamenting sun, desolate heat, age, and experienced. Still it retained certain boyishness in the wild crags of his eyes and twitching lips upturned to a smile. Indents in his forehead, a face lightly tanned for one who spent much time in the sun. His hair once sandy in color, now a burnished steely gray withered by the passing of time, the edges of his lips flickered upward wanting to assume their traditional quirky smile. Shadowing liquid azure eyes with a weathered callused hand, he gazed painfully at the harsh electric blue sky. Mouthing silently a name, the normally cheery face descended into a mass of grief. A sad chiming in the Force told him what no human mouth could. 'I will protect her.' Vader's words lingered in his mind. 'Her and the child, you have my word.'
Sinking down, head bowed to his chest, he rocked back and forth. No tears crept past his eyes, the harsh sun would not allow it. Though he wished to dissolve into his grief. 'Such precious moisture must not be wasted.' He reminded himself, there was still hope yet. The son of Skywalker would find his way to him eventually. 'Aranya.' He thought. 'Never will another endure your hellish nightmare!' He vowed quietly. And as he sat, quietly contemplating death and the Force, he felt a small and lonely stirring. Aranya's child yet lived, and she burned like a tiny beacon.
***
She sensed Lord Vader's approach, and the rumblings of hatred accompanying him. The Dark Lord stood two meters tall, a giant in his black battle armor, cloak flowing behind him. The freakishly frightening breathing mask covered his face, and you could sense death in his long rattling breaths. He frightened everyone, battle hardened Imperial troops shrank from him, Captains and Admirals bowed to his every command. Everyone was frightened of the Lord of the Sith, everyone but Revan. She admired him, cared about him, hated him at times, but never feared him. Though any sensible human would, Revan didn't consider herself sensible. Fear him? Never. Opening herself to the Force, she asked. "Did you have a good trip, my Lord?" As he strode down the shuttle ramp, she used the energy field to probe his mood. From what she was able to discern, she would know if it was a good idea to approach him. Saving herself from entering his bad graces was one of Revan's many talents, and very fond of this imperious Sith Lord. He was her mentor, and very like a father. From the fluctuations in the Force, he was apparently pleased.
"We've gained new information surrounding the whereabouts of the rebels. It will be only a matter of time." He rumbled, deep voice offset by long heavy breaths issued awkwardly from his breathing apparatus. Making him appear twice as menacing.
Gray eyes sparkling with excitement, Revan announced. "Good." Sounding very much like the Emperor, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. It was a small smile, all she could allow. Imperial protocol called for a mask, a poker face, hiding your true emotions behind this gauze. She could not openly show emotion, besides anger or displeasure, it would be thought of as weakness. She knew he was in a very good mood when he touched her shoulder. It was brief, barely more than a tap, nothing of any significance to even the practiced gaze. Yet to Revan, the tiniest of brushes of physical contact meant more than a thousand hugs, kisses, or words of praise. Through the taps, the Force bond connecting them opened, and Vader's fondness and pride flowed through and surrounded her.
Leaning down, he said. "You will dine with me tonight, child."
'Very pleased indeed,' She thought, quelling her joy and managing to conceal a bright smile. She'd not eaten with her master for many months, for he'd been in a right state of displeasure over her sword technique. Feeding her only the gray putty the Stormtroopers called rations. But apparently, by some odd twist, information on a rebel base had returned him to a good mood. The rebel scum were gnats, a buzzing annoyance to the grandeur of the Imperial Fleet. They traveled in swarms, daring to harass only the weakest ships, the bulky freighters and convoys; that delivered supplies to many of the Emperor's outlying colonies. They never faced the Empire's finest, she thought with a satisfied smirk. 'They are weak.' She crowed. 'And soon, the buzzing annoyance will vanish. It's fire will go out of the Universe, just as the Jedi's did long ago.' Glancing up she hurried to catch the imposing Dark Lord. Matching his pace several steps behind, until he motioned for her to walk beside him. 'Very pleased indeed.' She thought again, using a running-walk to match his stride.
Karth walked along, in his assigned place behind the two Sith. Behind the heir, and oft Karth felt like he over-stepped his bounds. Feeling like a mother-hawk bat of Coruscant, guarding it's young. Of course, his duty was to protect the Empire's only heir. Palpatine himself had given the old Imperial Guard this honor. All his long life the Guard had been consumed by his duty, been fiercely loyal to the Emperor alone. The grizzled veteran's loyalty to his Emperor caused this opportunity, given him the honor of protecting the Empire's most cherished possession. The Sith Child: Revan, Aranya's child, Palpatine's granddaughter. He'd watched the child grow in her lonely rooms, oblivious to her awesome heritage. The heir to a mighty legacy. How loneliness and isolation forced a happy flamboyent child to introvert into herself, becoming solemn and quiet. And slowly, his loyalties shifted, from the Emperor to the small lonely heir. Nothing would harm her if he could help it, and he knew he'd defend her to his last breath. Even if he must against the Emperor himself. Karth was ashamed of his feelings, of his defection, and worked hard as a taskmaster training the young heir. He never showed them. But felt sure that Lord Vader was well aware of them, how could he not be? The Sith Lord, however, never mentioned it, and allowed the old Guard to continue serving the child. His concern was the training of Aranya's daughter, and Karth made sure she worked hard. 'For Lord Vader knows as I do.' He reflected. 'If Revan is to survive in this world, she must be ruthless.' That of course involved removing the quiet gentleness and the girl's merciful inclinations. Karth intended to, for the sake of her survival.
"Fear, anger, aggression, the Dark Side are they."
-Jedi Master Yoda
Chapter One-Sithling
Two years before the creation of the first Death Star.. Near the planet of Mon Calamari.
She peered over the edges of the window. Behind her, many of the officers grumbled about useless missions as they bustled back in forth before their consoles. She heartily agreed with them, it wasn't fair. The most powerful vessel in the Imperial Armada, Lord Vader's own flagship, resigned to the menial task of baby-sitting. Revan settled herself down to wait, sighing and grumbling would do her no good. Besides, it wasn't proper Sith behavior. 'At least,' She reflected. 'He didn't lock me in the Practice Room with Karth again.' Last time, the young ten-year-old ward of Darth Vader, practiced for hours under her iron willed Imperial Guard's tutelage. Well, Karth was the only one Lord Vader trusted to train her. At least, when he wasn't around. And that did tend to be often. If Vader was dissatisfied with her performance, he'd with hold her meals until she got them right. Receiving only Stormtrooper rations, gray putty mush, though essential in all nutrients, it didn't taste that bad. It didn't taste like anything. 'Well,' she thought wearily. 'When he comes back, he'll work me himself.' Vader was most certainly a harder taskmaster than Karth. After all.she was his apprentice. Considering Vader her mentor and role model, she leaped at the chance to work with him. Even under extenuating circumstances. He was the only father figure she'd ever known. She'd never known her real father, but had been told he'd died during the rise of the Empire. She never knew him, and thus never thought of him. Her bodyguard Karth, was a gruff man and fiercely loyal to the Empire. Sometimes she thought his own opinions did not exist. Like every other soldier on the vessel. Everyone smart enough to close their mouths, that was. He made a good teacher and training partner. But Karth was not much more than that, even if he followed her everywhere.
Revan, a name taken from a Sith Lord existing four thousand years prior, learned little about the actual Force from her master. He preferred to allow his collection of holocrons to give her initial instruction on the basics. A coveted secret of the Empire, Revan remained on the ship when her master went planet side. Few of the officers knew her as anymore than as important to the Empire, one of the thousand other children inheriting horrific fortunes. Revan herself was never sure of her actual standing within the Empire. If there was a battle, they locked her back in her chambers, and didn't let her out until the rebel forces were blasted into slag. She'd remain in her room and told to practice, with only a stun rod, holocron, and remote for comfort. Secrecy, she was taught, is the best way to retain your identity.
"My Lady." Karth's voice rasped. "It's time you returned to your quarters."
Sucking in a deep breath, anger rumbling in her brain, the young twelve-year-old stared at the watery blues of Mon Calamari. Hand twitching at her side, as the Force rippled through her, demanding she lash out and kill the one who ordered her. Blind hatred fogging in the depths of her mind, she clenched her left hand, and took another calming breath. Lashing out would do her no good. It would only bring her trouble. Softly the buzzing in her mind ceased, and the Force flowed serenely fluent around her. "Do I have to?" Plaintively, turning to face him, she glared at the giant guard. "Can't I just." She trailed off, gazing into the black visor of the emotionless mask. Vader taught her to mind her teachers.and Karth, she grudgingly admitted, was her teacher.
"Lord Vader left strict instructions." Reminding her softly, in a grating tone. "You're to practice."
"And you're to supervise." She groaned, screwing her face in abject distaste. Practice, practice, practice, her master told her. 'And once you've finished, do it again.' She did, again and again and again. Every single day.
Karth shoved her, saying without words, "be mindful" and said. "He left a holocron in your room."
'Mind me and be respectful.' She mimicked, rolling her eyes. Trotting off down the stainless floor and corridor, she moved smoothly, like she rolled rather than walked. With the red caped guard hovering behind. Revan ignored the officers, and the troopers constantly patrolling. They were under order's not to associate with her, and she with them. Not that she'd want to. Imperial Troopers were devoid of all emotion, feelings, or otherwise. They were like machines, and machines, from Revan's personal experience, couldn't hold a good conversation. They never seemed intelligent, answering in stiff "yes sirs" or "no sirs", taking orders and getting kicked around. Pointless. Her footsteps clacked loudly, as she walked (running was expressly forbidden) down the hall. Experience early on taught her to wear a poker face, emotion was perceived as weakness. 'Trust no one.' Her mother had warned, and Revan tried to follow the advice.
Arriving at her quarters the door hissed open, and she slid quietly inside. "Meditation." Karth warned, as the door closed. She knew that tone. It meant no Jedi investigations. Interesting as they were, it was supposed to be business only. Sighing, she opened herself to the Force. Remembering one Jedi Master's words.
"The Force is an energy field generated by all living things; it surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. When you become one
with the Force, you will feel the rhythm of the Universe. It will spread through you, and guide you. You will see things that have not yet come to pass, and those that passed centuries prior. The Force is generated by life, manipulated by life, becomes life. The Force is Life.
When you become one with the Force you will feel the rhythm of the
Universe."
She could not remember which man said it, for they all said similar things. But she could recall the first time she touched the Force, never the when or the where, just the feeling. The first time it washed through her system, the first time she innocently opened herself to it, warmth and serenity flooded her. Never would she admit to her Lord this first experience, but it haunted her mind always. The loneliness of space, of the universe, of her soul, vanished. Springing to life, the galaxy did, as the stars quivered in their tentative dance. Each life burning brightly from everywhere and anywhere at once, rhythmically pulsating through her, blinding her. The entire universe pounding in one heart beat, saturating her with comfort. Intoxicatingly wrapping about her. She no longer felt isolated, and was no longer alone.
Settling onto the floor, eyes falling closed, visualizing the small crystalline cube residing on the far quadrant of the holoboard in the center of the room. The cube was smooth like newly polished plasti-steel, quite unlike its deception of the eyes, from the shattered crystal pattern covering it's surface. The length, width, and height of her tiny pinky, it glittered in the artificial light issued by the room's series of glowpanels. Breathing deeply, rhythmically, she stretched out with her senses. Feeling the Force wrap around the tiny cube as if she clutched it within her hand. Imagining it floating across the room, she lifted it and called it to her. Until it hovered over two open palms. Eyes fluttering open, she managed a satisfied smile, lifting things generally took little effort. Be it a tiny holocube or a small Tie Fighter, it mattered not to the Force. 'Size matters not.' She reminded herself, using the odd grammar, many of the other Jedi imitated, gazing at the holocron hanging motionless in the stale air.
"Only a true student of the Force is given access to a holocron." Vader often told her. He told her many things, but most were not fit for a time of meditation and thought. Most involved the standard Vader handbook How to Decapitate Someone in less than Five Minutes. It was, of course, battle techniques her master focused on. But he did not discount how knowledge of the Force might be useful. And without the Force she would not be able to fluidly use a lightsaber, or foresee things like the Emperor.
Focusing the Force directly at the holocron, keeping her thoughts serene as possible, and the cube flickered with bright light. A hologram of a tall black man in brown Jedi robes appeared before her. His lightsaber clipped ceremoniously to his belt. Spreading his hands in a peaceful manner, the holocron said. "These are the teachings of Jedi Master Mace Windu." A deep rich voice issued from the cube soothed her little. Clicking faintly with static, the voice filled the room and spread about her. A warm smile appeared on his stern face. "What would you like to learn today?"
"I'd like." She paused, glancing at the door. Ask questions about the Jedi Order. Karth would have her skinned, and she'd be lucky if he didn't report it to Vader. If he found out, she shuddered. Not from fear, but from the thought of the punishments he was bound to devise. All would be painful, and all would be useful to her training. 'Well.' she thought, rather merrily. 'At least I know he won't torture me.' Outside Karth didn't seem to be paying attention to the happenings of inside the room, sending a tiny suggestion through the Force, she intended it remain that way. Breaking the rules was common for her. Glancing back at Windu's expectant, serene, and almost impatient face, she asked. "All information on the Jedi and the Force." Adding with an after thought. "Please."
"That is too expansive, please specify." Was the almost mechanical answer, sounding far more like a droid than a Jedi Master.
"Fine." She sighed, disgruntled. "What is the Force?"
Mace Windu sank gracefully, assuming the traditional "teacher mode" many of the Master's used. A cross-legged position, where the robes billowed out around them, an incredibly serene expression on their face. "The Force," He recited. "Is an energy field, it surrounds all living things."
"It surrounds us, and penetrates us, it binds the Galaxy together." Revan completed, didn't the holocrons ever have any new information? Thoroughly annoyed, she growled. "I know all this!" Anger boiled up within her. "What is it?" She demanded with child-like impatience. "Tell me! Tell me now!"
Windu gazed down, even as a hologram his gaze was penetrating. She shivered, feeling unsure. Hadn't her reaction to the situation been correct? Was anger not right? "Generated by life." The Jedi continued, undisturbed by the outburst. "When we are aligned with it, the Force guides our actions and our feelings."
"We feel the rhythm of the Universe." Revan sighed. She knew all of this. Peeved, she played with the fringes of her black robe. "What is the dark side?" She asked.
"The true nature of the Force." Came the placid answer. "Controlled by feelings of anger, hatred, fear, and aggression."
"If the dark side is the true nature of the Force, why aren't all Jedi Sith?" She asked herself aloud, it seemed so confusing. What was the difference between a Jedi and a Sith? Was there truly no middle ground? Was the Force really separated? All these questions hurled through her mind, and she knew she could not ask them for they fringed on heresy. Neither, the holocrons or the Dark Lord of the Sith, tolerated heresy.
The holocron gave a high-pitched squeal, like a malfunctioning droid. Apparently the useless machinery had tried to answer her question. Spurting out the words, "Error! Error! Question does not compute!" Over and over, until, a very angry and annoyed Revin waved her hand. Hurling the holocube across the room. Slamming against the wall it uttered up another squeal and tumbled to the floor with a loud clang.
"My lady!" The muffled voice of Karth yelled. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything.is.just.fine!" She fumed, small hands balled into fists. "Just FINE!" In a style similar to Lord Vader's, she strode across the room, picked up the holocron, and gave it a rattle. "Useless piece of junk." Seething, she was tempted to hurl the thing across the room again. Glaring at the darkened cube, she let loose an angry sigh, and flopped onto her bed. The cube still clutched in her hand, she moaned. 'If it's broke Vader'll have my hide!' Fervently hoping it wasn't, she set it back onto the board. 'So the Force is generated by life.the Jedi protect life.' It was a start. 'Maybe the mystery of the Jedi will be revealed soon.' She'd been right to lash out in anger, hadn't she? "Maybe I should practice my sword technique." She thought aloud, if the Cron really was broken, her punishment might be lessened if her technique improved. After all it infuriated Vader yesterday. Walking briskly to where she kept her stun rod, she picked it up and practiced several strokes. Settling into a working routine, and opening herself to the Force, she practiced for the rest of the day.
***
Across the Galaxy, near the Outer Rim, on the planet of the twin suns, across sparse and deserted desert, through sandstorms, deep inside the Jundland Wastes, in a solitary hut, an old man stirred. His face seamed with dusty lines bestowed by un-lamenting sun, desolate heat, age, and experienced. Still it retained certain boyishness in the wild crags of his eyes and twitching lips upturned to a smile. Indents in his forehead, a face lightly tanned for one who spent much time in the sun. His hair once sandy in color, now a burnished steely gray withered by the passing of time, the edges of his lips flickered upward wanting to assume their traditional quirky smile. Shadowing liquid azure eyes with a weathered callused hand, he gazed painfully at the harsh electric blue sky. Mouthing silently a name, the normally cheery face descended into a mass of grief. A sad chiming in the Force told him what no human mouth could. 'I will protect her.' Vader's words lingered in his mind. 'Her and the child, you have my word.'
Sinking down, head bowed to his chest, he rocked back and forth. No tears crept past his eyes, the harsh sun would not allow it. Though he wished to dissolve into his grief. 'Such precious moisture must not be wasted.' He reminded himself, there was still hope yet. The son of Skywalker would find his way to him eventually. 'Aranya.' He thought. 'Never will another endure your hellish nightmare!' He vowed quietly. And as he sat, quietly contemplating death and the Force, he felt a small and lonely stirring. Aranya's child yet lived, and she burned like a tiny beacon.
***
She sensed Lord Vader's approach, and the rumblings of hatred accompanying him. The Dark Lord stood two meters tall, a giant in his black battle armor, cloak flowing behind him. The freakishly frightening breathing mask covered his face, and you could sense death in his long rattling breaths. He frightened everyone, battle hardened Imperial troops shrank from him, Captains and Admirals bowed to his every command. Everyone was frightened of the Lord of the Sith, everyone but Revan. She admired him, cared about him, hated him at times, but never feared him. Though any sensible human would, Revan didn't consider herself sensible. Fear him? Never. Opening herself to the Force, she asked. "Did you have a good trip, my Lord?" As he strode down the shuttle ramp, she used the energy field to probe his mood. From what she was able to discern, she would know if it was a good idea to approach him. Saving herself from entering his bad graces was one of Revan's many talents, and very fond of this imperious Sith Lord. He was her mentor, and very like a father. From the fluctuations in the Force, he was apparently pleased.
"We've gained new information surrounding the whereabouts of the rebels. It will be only a matter of time." He rumbled, deep voice offset by long heavy breaths issued awkwardly from his breathing apparatus. Making him appear twice as menacing.
Gray eyes sparkling with excitement, Revan announced. "Good." Sounding very much like the Emperor, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. It was a small smile, all she could allow. Imperial protocol called for a mask, a poker face, hiding your true emotions behind this gauze. She could not openly show emotion, besides anger or displeasure, it would be thought of as weakness. She knew he was in a very good mood when he touched her shoulder. It was brief, barely more than a tap, nothing of any significance to even the practiced gaze. Yet to Revan, the tiniest of brushes of physical contact meant more than a thousand hugs, kisses, or words of praise. Through the taps, the Force bond connecting them opened, and Vader's fondness and pride flowed through and surrounded her.
Leaning down, he said. "You will dine with me tonight, child."
'Very pleased indeed,' She thought, quelling her joy and managing to conceal a bright smile. She'd not eaten with her master for many months, for he'd been in a right state of displeasure over her sword technique. Feeding her only the gray putty the Stormtroopers called rations. But apparently, by some odd twist, information on a rebel base had returned him to a good mood. The rebel scum were gnats, a buzzing annoyance to the grandeur of the Imperial Fleet. They traveled in swarms, daring to harass only the weakest ships, the bulky freighters and convoys; that delivered supplies to many of the Emperor's outlying colonies. They never faced the Empire's finest, she thought with a satisfied smirk. 'They are weak.' She crowed. 'And soon, the buzzing annoyance will vanish. It's fire will go out of the Universe, just as the Jedi's did long ago.' Glancing up she hurried to catch the imposing Dark Lord. Matching his pace several steps behind, until he motioned for her to walk beside him. 'Very pleased indeed.' She thought again, using a running-walk to match his stride.
Karth walked along, in his assigned place behind the two Sith. Behind the heir, and oft Karth felt like he over-stepped his bounds. Feeling like a mother-hawk bat of Coruscant, guarding it's young. Of course, his duty was to protect the Empire's only heir. Palpatine himself had given the old Imperial Guard this honor. All his long life the Guard had been consumed by his duty, been fiercely loyal to the Emperor alone. The grizzled veteran's loyalty to his Emperor caused this opportunity, given him the honor of protecting the Empire's most cherished possession. The Sith Child: Revan, Aranya's child, Palpatine's granddaughter. He'd watched the child grow in her lonely rooms, oblivious to her awesome heritage. The heir to a mighty legacy. How loneliness and isolation forced a happy flamboyent child to introvert into herself, becoming solemn and quiet. And slowly, his loyalties shifted, from the Emperor to the small lonely heir. Nothing would harm her if he could help it, and he knew he'd defend her to his last breath. Even if he must against the Emperor himself. Karth was ashamed of his feelings, of his defection, and worked hard as a taskmaster training the young heir. He never showed them. But felt sure that Lord Vader was well aware of them, how could he not be? The Sith Lord, however, never mentioned it, and allowed the old Guard to continue serving the child. His concern was the training of Aranya's daughter, and Karth made sure she worked hard. 'For Lord Vader knows as I do.' He reflected. 'If Revan is to survive in this world, she must be ruthless.' That of course involved removing the quiet gentleness and the girl's merciful inclinations. Karth intended to, for the sake of her survival.