Chapter 8: Dreams

Carth stared at the drink that was bubbling in front of him. Soon he and the rest of the Ebon Hawk's crew would be heading down to the planet below to settle in for a short leave before that cursed ceremony would start. Sighing he got up and headed to the docking bay.

"Revan will probably be there…" he thought warmly. The doctors had finally given up trying to get her to stay in the medical room. She was almost completely recovered too.

"Thank goodness…" he mused, but then he frowned slightly. Something else was wrong, ever since that terrible attack she had become rather distant, even Jolee had commented on that. Revan had spoken a few times with Master Vandar but she never told him why or about what.

Several officers saluted him as he walked down the hallway and he saluted back. He frowned, this whole "hero" worship was getting rather annoying and he wanted to just be left alone. Juhani suddenly appeared to his right side and fell into step with him. The Cathar eyed him slightly and then cast her eyes downward.

"Hello Juhani," he said.

"Hello Carth," she commented back.

He glanced at her, "Has the Council decided your next assignment?" he asked.

"After all the celebrations are over I'm too help build the new academy…" Juhani commented gloomily.

"Where is the academy going to be?" Carth asked.

"We are going to rebuild the Acedemy on Dantooine," Juhani replied.

Carth nodded as they reached the door to the docking bay, "After you," he motioned with his hand.

Juhani smiled slightly and walked through the doorway. Carth followed and stared at the Ebon Hawk briefly. Repairs had been made to her hull, fresh paint shone where battle scars and blaster marks used to be. He smiled slightly and walked up the ramp.

Carth almost tripped over the little Gizka that was hopping down the corridor. He folded his arms over his orange fighter jacket and stared at the little beastie. It crooned at him and continued on its merry way. The little creature hoped past HK-47 who was eyeing it like a Rancor eyeing fresh meat. Carth noticed the new coat of red paint on the assassin droid.

"Looks good," commented Carth.

"Commentary: The Master thinks so too," HK-47 noted, flexing one hand as he blocked the crew courtiers.

"Speaking of "The Master" where is Revan?" Carth asked while glancing over HK-47 right shoulder.

"Commentary: That's none of your business meatbag." HK-47 lifted his blaster slightly. Carth backed off; he really didn't want to explain to Revan why her droid has blaster marks on the new paint and why he was in the hospital. The droid was sure taking his protection duties seriously, especially after he had "failed" to save her when that sea beast had attacked.

"Chill out, I just want to talk to her," Carth tried to calm the overzealous droid.

"Commentary: The Master is resting and doesn't want to be disturbed." HK-47 commented.

Carth was about to protest when there was a whimper from behind the door and a bang of something metal falling to the floor. HK-47 reacted swiftly and hurried into the room, holding his blaster ready, Carth quickly followed. A metal bin had been knocked off one of the shelves. Revan was curled up in her Jedi robes on one of the beds. She was thrashing about in her sleep.

******

Revan's mind drifted through sleep, small flashes of memories lighting her way, but then something blinded her and she fell back. Opening her eyes she was standing on a temperate world. Small villages could be seen in the distance… and a crying, whimpering sound reached her ears. Revan looked down at her feet to see three humanoids cowering at her feet. Revan had never seen their species before… or had she.

"Please…" one of them said, its gruff grainy voice echoing in her ears, "Please, I don't know what you want. Spare my wife and daughter, we know nothing."

"You WILL tell me everything I want to know," shock echoed in Revan's mind, that was her voice.

Revan felt her lift her right hand and the Force surge through her. The man was lifted in the air, choking and gasping, "please…"

"NOOO…" Revan's mind screamed, "please, don't make me hurt them."

Revan felt the struggling man's life ooze away and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She struggled with herself, with this terrible nightmare but to no avail.

With one stroke Revan saw herself fling the man away with the Force and saw him land some feet away. Others villagers were watching in shocked horror at this scene. There antennas twitching agitatedly, and they shifted with shocked silence. Revan looked down at the weeping mother and daughter… and she lifted her light saber, its red glow dancing off their frightened faces…

******

Revan bolted out of sleep and reached for her light sabers but stopped when she noticed Carth standing there.

"What…?" she coughed. She was shaking slightly and her face was wet. Revan ran a tired hand over her eyes.

"You must have been having one hell of a nightmare… are you ok?" Carth put one arm around Revan.

Revan sniffed, "Yes…no…" She rubbed some of the tears out of her eyes.

Carth frowned worriedly at her and then eyed HK-47 who was standing over them. Revan just noticed him too.

She smiled lightly at the droid, "Would you mind waiting outside?"

The droid sighed slightly, probably more disappointed that there was nothing for him to kill and walked out the door.

"Want to talk about it…?" Carth asked. He was terrible worried about her, about all that had happened. The Star Forge was destroyed; Malak was dead… what was going on.

Revan couldn't stand that terrible tight feeling in her chest and that look in Carth's eyes, she broke down and just cried for a while. After she had finally gotten control of herself she told him about that dream and then sobbed some more. Finally she fell asleep in Carth's arm. Carth watched her for a while, hoping she wouldn't have another nightmare, but she seemed to sleep soundly.

Carth leaned against the metal wall "I hate what's been done to her… what the heck is going on…" He stared at the sleeping Revan. Sighing he mused on all the good things she had done… why won't the universe just leave them alone. In his mind she had made up for all the wrongs she may have commented, but he knew others wouldn't feel the same. Carth sighed and closed his eyes and let his mind drift away as if it floated on a gentle breeze.