Carth was running along the shoreline; following Revan's and HK-47's tracks to the secluded cove. He could not explain his anxiety; something itched at the back of his mind, an unknown pain.
"Slow down you hormone crazed youth," Jolee yelled.
Carth stopped quite surprised and turned to see Jolee jogging after him. He caught up to Carth panting only lightly.
Carth raised an eyebrow, "You know, you're in great shape for your age."
"You wouldn't survive in the shadow lands unless you are," huffed Jolee.
"Why are you in such a hurry, hoping to catch a glint of Revan swimming," Jolee laughed.
Carth blushed, "N-no, why would you think such a thing!"
That only sent Jolee into further galls of laughter, "Seriously boy, why the rush,"
"I don't know, something wrong, I can feel it, I have to make sure she's ok." Carth said.
But then they heard a shout, "HK! Help!"
"That was Revan!" exclaimed Carth as he broke into a run.
There they saw HK-47 hurrying towards the shoreline in the secluded cove. Carth ran as fast he could, sweat breaking out on his face, something cold clutched at his heart.
"She's ok," he gasped, "She's got to be," but in his heart he knew something was terrible wrong.
******
Bastila felt it too, she felt Revan's mind cry out to her and felt Revan's pain, she woke with a start.
"Revan!?" she gasped, Juhani hurried into the crew rooms.
"What is wrong Bastila?" Juhani asked, a troubled expression on her face.
Bastila lowered her head into her hand and calmed her mind. She reached out with the force and brushed against Revan's mind. Bastila almost fell over with the pain that exploded in her mind.
"Revan's in trouble! Quick gather everyone and head to the shore, we must hurry," Bastila jumped out of bed and quickly got herself together.
She felt the other women, her "sister" scream, their bond wasn't completely broken. She could sometimes feel Revan's feelings or glimpses of memories, but this was different. Something sinister had Revan in its clutches, she felt the darkness of it invade her sisters mind.
Bastila shivered, "Hurry everyone, we must hurry," Worried expressions were exchanged and everyone left the ship to search for Revan.
"Tracks! They went this way," growled Zaalbar pointing down to the beach. Bastila could feel Revan pain and struggle, she could feel her mind drifting away. They rushed down the beach, hoping they weren't too late.
******
Carth ran forward to the beach, searching for a trace of Revan. All he found was her robes, a towel, and two light sabers. Then he heard another gasp and choked cry in the sea. Revan surfaced and seemed to be fighting something off. Then he saw the massive coils wrapped around her body and plunged into the surf without even thinking. Unhitching the vibroblade from his back, he swam towards her. He saw the hideous beast's head as it towered over its struggling prey, it's open mouth and poison dripping from its massive fangs.
He screamed, "NOOOO!"
She heard him and tried to block the monster's assault on her. It was not enough, the monster sank its deadly fangs into her side and she cried out.
"Nooo," his mind yelled, "not you too," as Revan was dragged under the waves.
Carth hissed in emotional pain and a sudden determination took him over as he ducted under the waves, swimming as hard as he could. Miraculously, Revan was still struggling, but he could see her strength failing and then she went limp. The sea beast examined the person it held in its coils. Its long, forked, tongue caressed her face. Carth felt his muscles protest as he pushed himself to the limit, struggling to catch up to the beast. Carth raised his Vibroblade, it cut easily through the water, and he prayed it would do the same to that monstrosity.
Then he caught up to the sea beast and sliced into its thick hide. It reared back and bit at Carth, but he hacked at it again with his sword. The beast whacked Carth with its tail and the hard spines sliced across his chest, but he was headless of the pain. All he thought about was saving Revan. Then Jolee was at his side and cleaved a coil off of Revan. The beast opened its mouth in a shriek and fought against its attackers, waving its spiked tail at them and trying to surround Carth and Jolee with its coils. The beast plunged its gaping mouth at Jolee, hoping to bite the old man.
Jolee could feel the dark side swirl around this monster, its evil presence seemed to choke him. But he knew that the only way to save Revan was to kill this beast, and hope it wasn't too late. Jolee stabbed at the massive head of the creature as it tried to sink its fangs into him. He gouged one of its sinister eyes out. It reared back, shock and pain overcoming its better sense. Carth took advantage of the beast's momentary confusion and hacked it head off.
The creatures death grip on Revan loosened and Carth tugged her free from the oozing body. He swam to the surface and backstroked to the shore.
"Revan," he gasped as he swam hard as he could, but there was no reply. He held her tightly to his chest, her head fell back onto his shoulder, but that made it easier to keep her above the lapping waves.
Finally he felt the sand beneath him and carried her to the beach.
"Revan, please," he pleaded, resting his hand on her throat he felt for a pulse.
"I need a med Pac," he screamed looking at the others around him. Jolee's soaked form sat down next to Carth, he also felt for a pulse, nothing… Jolee exhaled quietly and called for the Force. He placed his hands on Revan's limp form and tried to heal her. It was then that the true horror of the poison struck him, he felt the cold, evil surge of it through her body and it repelled his attempt to heal her, but even as he lost hope he felt the tiny flicker of life that pulsed in the darkness. The dark poison drained away at it, but her life force had created a shell around it, protecting it from the poisons full assault.
"How?" Jolee gasped.
Carth huddled over her form, tears dripping onto her face as scooped her up and cradled her in his arms.
"Carth, we must hurry, she's not dead yet, but only just," Jolee yelled in Carth's ear.
"Wh-what, she's not dead!?!" Carth sobbed.
Jolee yanked out his communicator, "Bastila?!," He gasped into the communicator.
"Yes! What happened, what's going on, I felt…," Bastila replied.
"No time for that, get a medical team down here NOW," Jolee yelled.
"Yes, yes right away," Bastila choked.
Jolee inspected the two punch wounds at her side. Gapping holes they were that oozed blood. He shook his head as grabbed a towel and draped it over Revan's prone form. He also pulled out a med pac from under his cloak and stuck her in the leg, hoping it would keep her alive long enough, for help to arrive.
Soon they heard the running crunch and scuffling of booted feet as Bastila, Mission, Zaalbar, Juhani, Canderious, and the medical team rushed up to Carth's sobbing form. Pushing Carth aside, they gently lifted Revan's pale and listless form onto the hovering stretcher. The afternoon sun glinted off her face. It seemed as if all life had drained from her, leaving pale, transparent skin behind.
"Is-is she dead," Mission choked as she watched the medics rush her to one of their ships.
"I don't believe so," Bastila replied quietly, "I can still feel her presence, but only just."
Mission pushed her lips and cast her head downward, letting her head tails droop.
"What was that…hideous beast," Jolee sneered, eyeing the washed up corpse of the ancient monster. Thick, black blood oozed from its decapitated body.
"We must inform the masters at once," Bastila commented, a corner of her mouth arching in disgust as she studied the creature. They all hurried off the beach, heading towards the Rakata temple where the Jedi masters surely would be.
******
"Please hang on Revan, please…," Carth whispered in earnest in Revan's ear.
Carth eyed the three medical personal that were taking care of Revan. One was hurriedly scanning her, while the other two pushed the floating stretcher along. They were at the medical ship now.
"Sir, we will do what we can, but we must transport her to the "Liberty" where there are better facilities, it might be best if you wait here," the women said calmly.
"No! I'm going with you," Carth replied stubbornly, folding his arms across his chest.
"Ve..Very well, seeing that you're are a savoir of the galaxy," the women replied, backing off slightly.
"Mhm," Carth thought, "having VIP status can have its advantages."
Carth and the women quickly filed aboard the medical transport, and strapped themselves into two seats. One of the medics set the hovering stretcher down on a special tabletop that clipped to it. He braced himself, waiting for liftoff while he calmly injected something into Revan's arm.
"We are all ready back here," He yelled, "But inform the "Liberty" that we have a code three, we must hurry."
He continued to monitor Revan, scanning her and then placed a pack of some kind, most likely filled with Kolto on those two deadly puncture wounds, she was bleeding badly and he knew it. Even through the doctor's quick, business like manner, Carth could see the worry behind those brown eyes. The doctor didn't think she would survive much longer.
"Oh no…" Carth thought.
Being a career soldier, and one for a long time, he had seen his share of wounds and medical terminology, "code three" was just a fancy word for top priority, it was reserved for the most injured or dying. He heard the pilot repeating those words several times into the com. He supposed being heroes and all they would get VIP treatment, but would that be enough. Even the force couldn't heal her now… NO! He shoved those thoughts forcefully out of his mind.
"I won't give up on her," he whispered to himself, "She won't die, she won't."
Tears dropped silently from his face. He mind wandered as he watched the medics hover over Revan. His mind was filled with thoughts and memories of her. He thought of her smiling face, and her kind heart. He saw her helping out a women on Tatooine giving her $700 credits for the wraid plate. Her humor, and flowing hair, those blue eyes…. He could loose himself into those eyes. His mind held onto those thoughts, hoping that by sheer will power he could influence the outcome of this terrible event.