Saviour, Conqueror, Hero, Villain.
Author's Notes: Mwahahahahahaa... hope you liked the cliffhanger... heh heh, so that's how I get you all to review - wow, I mean look at all of these reviews - thank you all! Ok, so this chapter was the one that was SUPPOSED to contain the romance-stuff... but Carth still doesn't trust Revan. I don't blame the man, I mean she did try to take over the galaxy, but it's annoying me! Oh well, I guess we'll see how it goes - this is the problem with characters who write themselves. One thing I disliked about the game's script was the fact you can't love Bastila platonically, like a sister - especially for the female Revan, the lack of this option annoyed me.
Elflady: Both... heh heh, ok, I'll take votes for both. Thanks, glad you like him - I like to make the brats into not-so-bad-guys (if you've ever read Harry Potter, my Draco fics are a prime example of this). As for the Star Forge, it seemed logical that a creature like that would call out to them - glad you liked it.
F-15 Eaglestrike: Well, I hated how the game all but ignored the bond with female-Revan... so that's why I made such a big point out of it. Your vote for "both" is acknowledged.
NathanPostmark: Glad you like it.
arrow maker: First vote for light. Cool. She's not going to end up like Damien, though.
Dark Lord Daishi: First dark side vote.
Krazed Kaioshin Fangirl: Lol - ok, I've updated. Happy? I had already made up my mind, before the vote, I just wanted to see what everyone else wanted. Remember, the Star Forge's influence is hard to fight - even with compassion, she would have a hard time disobeying. About the elders: my thoughts exactly, which is why I skipped them. Dustil is a loyal Sith... not like Canderous, because the Sith definition of "loyalty" includes stabbing your boss in the back as soon as you think you can without getting yourself killed. Your LS vote is acknowledged. I can actually read auras, I'm slightly psychic, y'see (seriously - I'm not kidding!) - there are no colours... and the whole thing about drawing/photographing auras is bullshit - it's a sense thing... Revan's descriptions put words that we could follow to a sense that I can't explain - the colours were made up by me, to match their lightsabers, though - glad you understood a word of it. Yes, please do show that to the OO - there's also a reference in the dialog with the One: "You used your power to rip the Rakata language from my mind, even as you drove Basic into our skulls so we could help you in your quest to find something called the 'Star Forge'." if that helps? Nice story. Jolee, your turn... Jolee: All right, little girl... you asked for this one... when I was a young lad, with a full head of hair- {five hours later} and that's just the beginning- VMorticia: Ok, Jolee, you can stop now. Heh heh, I'll count the longer reviews as one vote, anyway - I was just trying to get longer reviews, is all :p
ether-fanfic: Your vote for both is noted. And I'm glad you like the character interactions - I find both Onasi men a real challenge to write.
RollingSkull: Sorry - I'll try to post before you leave (which ain't easy, since I dunno when you're leaving). Heh, that little "exchange" had me in stitches, with laughter... I also don't understand how Kira kept from laughing maniacally... must be all that Jedi training as a kid - poor girl. "Katty"? Lovely nickname, thanks a lot :p You vote for both? Ok.
Niliav: Your vote for both has been noted.
jp33: Both - so noted.
Serran: Thank you for your compliments {bows}. Well, since she actually remembers her past, it seemed logical that Carth (who is trying to deny that he's starting to fall for her) would ask about it - in the game, that forgiveness scene they have seemed kinda fake and corny, to me... so I replaced it with my version. I actually like Malak - I've even started a Revan/Malak fic, to prequel this one (though whether I ever finish it is debatable - I learned the hard way not to upload anything I'm not determined to finish - one of my HP fics died after I'd uploaded chapter 4, and I was so ashamed). I had fun cheating against the terentatek, in my other KotOR fic... I was trying to change the focus for this fic. Uthar was like a son to Jorak... and Revan never liked him, anyway... so he was the mutinous apprentice in Revan's mind, here... in spite of Yuthura's plotting. LS vote noted.
Data: LS vote noted.
Ninja Hero: DS vote noted.
Firera: I'm good at evil cliffhangers, aren't I? Sparks at the end, I promise. Mission is good at immature vengeance...first Canderous, then Dustil. [Success] Revan'll go to the lightside {shakes her head} nah, I'm sticking to the vote... you'll be recorded as voting for both :p
Lord Valentai: You're right, actually {shifty look} lucky for the voters, it's swinging the way I planned in the first placre mwahahahahahahahahaa! Either way, glad you're enjoying it.
khaos974: Revan will never be light again - the vote is for the LS or DS choice at the temple (ie. kill the Jedi, or not)... both endings are different from the game endings... and both are dark, to different levels.
Xan: Your vote for both is noted. You're right, she sure as hell ain't no Jedi, you know! lol, sorry... I think I'm hyper.
rockerbabe: I ended it there, because that's where the two endings diverge - big surprise, isn't it? Oi - Uthar's hair did NOT look like that {shudder}. Yeah - I love Force Jump in JA - it's so cool, that's why I used it in this fic. I like Dustil, too - glad you like him. Um... she didn't lie to the Elders... it's called Economy With The Truth, and Revan and I are the Masters of it. I make a good devil's advocate, don't I? Revan's statements about Malak contradict each other because she herself is confused on this subject - part of her still loves him, but she adamantly refuses to admit it. The Puss-in-Boots eyes only worked once... after I updated, I observed my own "sweet innocent" kitten terrorising the house, and became immune. Your LS vote is acknowledged. Now, seeing Kinky-Stinky, Tipsy, Blah-Blah, and Poo (my interpretation of the Smellitubbies) being mauled by Rakghouls... hmmm... who wants tickets? Fifty credits apiece! Come on, people, you know it's a bargain! Watch them run, scream, die, soil themselves in terror, then ultimitely lose the souls (which I think they sold some time ago, anyway) to that cruelest of dieases... mwahahahahaaa!!
bert: LS vote noted. Glad you like the story.
boo: Thanks. LS vote noted (and I like your reason, too).
Darth Jenrai: I sincerely doubt Malak's as blind/stupid as a lot of people believe - tactless, yes, but also smart, just not good at using the knowledge he has to best effect. As for the hair... Revan is just plain vain. Your vote for both is noted.
Mats Forsen: Thanks. DS vote noted.
Ceridan: Thanks {bows}. Your vote will be recorded as both. I used all my good material for Saul in the other fic - besides, she could sense he knew the answers. No one really knows what happened to Malak's jaw, and while I avoided a definitive explaination in the other fic (though I did make many conflicting insinuations), it was a key plot point in this version. Slytherin - yeah, I did base the Sith Academy a lot on my Slytherin-fics.
mr smizen: DS vote noted.
niva: I know I may be insulting people... but I get the feeling a lot of these anonymous reviews (not neccessarily yours, but in general) could be one person voting many times... but I won't make such unfair assumptions, just because you're all DS people... DS vote noted.
steve: Too right! But there are two choices to make - two seperate paths. One is the "wrong" choice, but both have ambiguous results.
Shogun 144: Both endings are creative. I'll count that as a vote for both.
darth poop: Out of that list you mentioned, the one I'm most proud of is Canderous - I like the idea of him being deep and philosophical (and his opinions on feminism are my own) - glad you liked it. HK got its time in the sun, on Tatooine - I didn't have time to include it much, in this fic - sorry. I thought his interaction with T3 was funny, though. Neutral Revan? As you command, Darth Poop :p
Brynn: A "grey" ending - that's not too difficult. See, the vote was just whether to side with Bastila (DS) or the two Jedi (LS) - both endings are actually quite "grey". I'll put your vote down in "both".
Noop-Ni: Although, that's not Malak's fault... Revan actually doesn't scream... but that's besides the point. Your LS vote is noted.
gamorreanprincess: Yes, I do consider that a compliment - thank you. Revan/Carth were SUPPOSED to have fallen for each other by the time they left Korriban, but NOOOO, Carth had to continue to be a suspicious berk. As for his reaction to Malak, I'm amazed Carth's jaw didn't fall off, it was hanging open in shock so much - I loved writing that scene. Well, if you don't want me to do anything "evil" to Dustil, you'd be advised not to read the DS ending... poor boy. Your LS vote is noted.
snackfiend101: Thank you. Good to know I've still got it (it being the knack for evil cliffhangers). LS vote noted.
HK-48: Nice suggestion. But I've already written both endings. As for a story with a whole bunch of party-members... I started a fanfic showing Revan and Malak's fall to the DS that prequels this fic - there'd be a whole group of people going to fight with them, it'll be fun - it's still in the early stages, though. LS vote noted.
Delight: DS vote noted. Nice reasoning, btw.
schmrdlbrgrsweetheart: Yes, I've written another story called "Revan's Secod Chance" - it's on my author-page here. Your vote for both endings is noted. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
x x x
Chapter 10 - My Chains Are Broken
"Kill them!" Bastila goaded, "Rend their flesh! Show them the fate of all who dare stand against us! Embrace the power of the dark side!"
I stared at the two Jedi, for a moment... the old man was incredibly annoying, but I did value his skills, and his sense of humour was priceless when it was aimed at someone besides me. Juhani was another story... but I still didn't want to hurt her... I may not be overly attached to her, but I liked her well enough. "Sorry, Sister." I said to Bastila, "I'm not going to kill my friends."
Bastila's eyes narrowed, as she glared at me, "You are a pathetic fool, Revan! Together we could have defeated Malak and ruled over an Empire, but now I will be at Lord Malak's side instead!"
She once again lunged at me, her lightsaber passed dangerously close to my chest as I backed away from her. I continued to evade her, backing away into the shadows of the temple, and she continued her assault. Eventually, she backed me into the wall, and swung her blade at my neck.
I ducked, and rolled away from her, but when I turned to face her, I saw that her lightsaber had been blocked by another blade, about an inch from where my neck would have been if I hadn't moved. "You could carry on like that for days, most likely." Dustil said, stepping back and holding his lightsaber defensively, "But I was getting bored watching it." he shrugged, and took a few steps back, his demeanour beckoned Bastila to follow, and they circled each other for a moment, before she attacked him.
The duel was fierce. Both of them were skilled fighters, and neither seemed to be able to gain the upper hand. "Dustil, if you kill her, I will have to torture you." I warned coldly.
Dustil laughed, and threw Force lightening at Bastila... it must not have been that strong, because all it did was throw her off-balance long enough for him to land a solid kick to her stomach. She fell on her backside, hard. He backed off, giving her the chance to run away, but instead, she stood up, eyeing him carefully.
"You are strong, boy." she said, smirking, "If Revan won't help me, perhaps you will... how would you like to be my apprentice? Help me slay Malak. Think of the power you could have."
Dustil raised an amused eyebrow, "Yeah. Like I'll bow to someone whose butt I just kicked." he said, smirking.
Bastila growled, and attacked again. Within moments, she had Dustil pinned face-down on the ground, with her foot between his shoulderblades, "You were saying?" she asked with a false innocent tone... the blade of her lightsaber hovered dangerously close to the back of his neck.
"Your offer suddenly seems a lot more tempting." he said weakly.
Bastila smirked, "Together, we could rule the galaxy."
"I like the sound of that." he said quietly. His aura and tone showed sincerity in his words.
"Dustil, don't." I said coldly.
"Um... I'm not in a position to argue with her, right now." he noted pointedly.
The dillema was excruciating. I couldn't harm Bastila, but... I also couldn't let anything hurt Carth, and if Dustil were harmed - or worse, betrayed his father - that would hurt Carth deeply. I scowled at them. I physically could not harm her, but that didn't mean I couldn't fight.
I send a wave of the Force at her, knocking her back, and her lightsaber went flying harmlessly across the floor, away from Dustil. Bastila landed, once again, on her backside.
Dustil picked himself up, and looked at Bastila warily, as she also stood, glaring at me. Then she turned her attention back to him, "What do you say, boy?"
"Don't do it, Dustil." I said coldly.
He smirked, "I'm with Revan." he said, backing away from her. Bastila glared at me, yet again.
"It's not to late for you, Bastila." Jolee noted, "The dark side is evil but it isn't all powerful. You can still fight against it. Don't let it consume you."
"You are beneath my contempt, old man!" she hissed, "You hid like a coward for decades on Kashyyyk! You know nothing about the true potential of the Force! You will all be crushed along with the Republic and all the other fools who bow down to the Jedi Council! No one can stand against the power of the Star Forge and the Sith fleet!" she turned tail and ran to her ship, nearby.
"Talk about bitchy." Dustil grumbled, as we watched the ship depart rapidly. He was rubbing his shoulder where the heel of her boot had been a moment ago.
"Tell me about it. I'm Force-bonded to her." I muttered, walking over to the computer terminal, and deactivating the disruptor field and the shields blocking the temple entrance.
"I pity you." Dustil said flatly.
x x x
"You're back!" Carth said, the second we appeared on the beach, as he ran over to us, stopping right in front of Dustil, "What were you thinking running off like that? You could have got yourself killed!"
"Calm down, father." Dustil said, sounding exasperated already, "As you can clearly see, I'm still alive. So why don't you interrogate Revan instead... please?"
Carth scowled at him, but he just smiled innocently... which infuriated Carth, no end. Then Carth turned on me, "Where's Bastila? Is she alive? What happened inside that Temple?"
"Malak broke Bastila's will, and turned her to the dark side." I said coldly, "She ran off to the Star Forge."
"The dark side? Bastila? No! How could that happen?" Carth asked.
"She was always in danger of being seduced by the dark side, Carth." Jolee said calmly, "Bastila was strong, but she was always impatient and headstrong. Malak preyed upon her weaknesses."
"I will get her back." I said with determination.
"No doubt." Jolee said, smiling faintly, "I must say that it's good to have you with us, my dear. For a minute there I thought you might decide... well, never mind what I thought."
"Decide? Decide what?" Carth demanded.
"Bastila tried to tempt her to the dark side, to reclaim Revan's heritage. She failed." Juhani answered.
Carth blinked a few times, surprised by this turn of events. He seemed speechless. I smirked evilly, and decided I may as well add to his confusion, "And the poor girl really was determined to recruit someone. Anyone, really. She must really have it in for Malak, if she's so desperate to get help to kill him. Juhani and Jolee were both determinedly goody-goody Jedi... but when Dustil tried to defend me, well..."
"Hey, I just managed to stop him bugging me about running off after you, and you go and say that!" Dustil whined.
"What happened, Dustil?" Carth asked sharply.
"Well..." he gave me a pleading look, and I relented.
"I couldn't fight Bastila." I said flatly, "The Force-bond is like an enforced life-debt - she as good as owns me. So when she tried to kill me, the best I could do was evade her attacks. I was doing fine until your son got bored."
"Hey!" Dustil interrupted.
"That was your exact wording, kid." I said, smirking at his scowl. "He 'got bored' and stepped into the fight. He defended me."
"He did WHAT?!" Carth yelled.
"I was evading Bastila's attacks successfully enough. But Dustil was at least able to fight her, where I couldn't even raise my lightsaber against her." I said quietly, "He fought well, too. But she seemed to have a theory that if she can't kill an enemy, she should try to recruit them - when he proved that he could fight well enough, she started trying to talk him into joining her, since I had refused."
Carth stared at Dustil, who just shrugged, "I'm sure you can guess which choice I made. Can we get back to you interrogating Revan, already?"
"Hey!" I snapped, "I am not just some decoy for you to get out of being told off by your father for trying to get yourself killed!"
"I wasn't trying!" he snapped right back, "If I wanted to try to kill myself, there are much less painful ways than a lightsaber duel!"
I glared at the boy, "You may not have been trying to get yourself killed, kid..." I said coldly, "But you sure seemed tempted by Bastila's offer."
He shrugged, "You don't argue with someone who's holding a lightsaber to your throat." he said flatly.
"Want to bet?" I asked, smirking, "I've done it before."
"Yeah, but that's you. You're... unique." he said defensively.
"Thanks." I said sarcastically.
"Wait a minute." Carth interrupted, "Bastila tried to turn Dustil to the dark side?"
"Not exactly." Dustil said, "You can't turn someone dark if they're not light in the first place."
I glared at the boy, "She tried to convince him to join her as her apprentice." I said pointedly, "I told him not to do it."
Carth's jaw dropped, and he stared at me. I don't think he knew what to say, at that point.
"We don't have time to talk about it now, though." I said, "The Rupublic fleet is going to get here soon... and with Bastila on Malak's side, they'll be massacred. I want my bond-mate back and Malak in pain. You want to save the Republic. Let's go do that." I pushed past Carth, and onto the ship.
The rest of the crew followed me on board. Carth and I went straight for the cockpit, and prepared for take-off.
After about a minute, he finally broke the silence, "Thank you, Revan."
"For what?" I asked innocently.
"For stopping Dustil from turning to the dark side."
"I think he saw it more as following the strongest side of the equation. Bastila tried to recruit him, and I made him choose between her and me. I'm stronger, so he sided with me." I said flatly, "It's how the Sith have taught him to judge situations, and I used that against Bastila."
"You still stopped him from making a huge mistake." Carth said quietly.
"I did, yes." I said quietly.
"So... thank you."
I smiled, "You're welcome."
After another minute, during which he got the ship out of the planet's atmosphere, he spoke again, "I can't hate you." he said quietly. I looked at him, carefully - the emotion in those words, I wasn't sure what he meant, but it fascinated me. "I tried, but... hell, you've changed since I met you. I'm not sure how, but..."
"I realised I was being tricked. You heard my reasoning with Dustil, when we saw the Star Forge." I said quietly, "I don't like being played for a fool."
"I imagine." he sighed, "Why can't I hate you, Revan?" he asked quietly, "I should want you dead for all you've done to me... to the Republic... but I don't."
I frowned, and looked at the control panels in front of me, blankly. It was too much to hope that he was falling for me, as I had fallen for him.
A beeping from the communications console saved me from that line of thought, "The Republic Fleet must have got the message I sent as we were crashing onto that planet." Carth said, pressing a couple of buttons on the commlink, "I'm picking up a transmission from them now."
The holoprojector flared to life behind us. The woman on the holoimage looked to be in her late fifties, by my guess, and the type to age gracefully rather than pretending she's still twenty-something. Her hair was cut in military style, and her posture was that of a career soldier, "This is Admiral Forn Dodonna to the Ebon Hawk, do you read us?"
Carth turned and stood up so his image could be sent in return. "Admiral Dodonna, this is Carth Onasi. We are receiving your transmission."
"Carth, I'm glad to see you're still alive." the Admiral said, "We've begun our assault on the Star Forge, but we're taking heavy losses. How did the Sith ever manage to build something of this scope!"
"The Star Forge wasn't constructed by the Sith, Admiral. We don't have time for me to fully explain it, but that space station is far older than you can imagine." Carth said.
"Maybe we should pull the fleet back and retreat." the Admiral said, with uncertainty, "I don't know if we have the firepower to go up against this alien technology."
"No!" I snapped, stepping up beside Carth, "Admiral, with all due respect... the Star Forge is the source of Malak's seemingly infinite fleet. This is your only chance to eliminate it!"
Admiral Dodonna frowned at me, "And you are...?" she asked warily.
I smirked, "I've been roped into this side of the war by the Jedi Masters, if you must know."
"Ah... Master Zhar's 'project'..." she said coldly, "Forgive me if I do not take your word for it, then."
Carth sighed, "Will you take my word for it, Admiral?" he asked, "The Star Forge is a factory of immense power. It's been churning out the capital ships, snub fighters and assault droids that have powered the Sith war effort. You have to destroy the Star Forge now or you'll be fighting an unending wave of reinforcements."
"Then I guess we have no choice." the Admiral said, with a sigh, "But it isn't going to be easy." I could see great determination emerging to replace her worried scowl. The woman was a fighter. "I can't even get our capital ships into position to start bombarding the Star Forge. The Sith fleet is too well organized. It's like they can guess our every move and counter our every strategy."
"Battle Meditation." I said flatly, "Bastila has become Malak's apprentice. She's using her power against you."
Dodonna glanced to her left, then nodded and stepped to one side to allow the diminutive form of Jedi Master Vandar to step into view, "This is Master Vandar. A number of Jedi Knights have joined our fleet under his command." she noted.
"If Bastila is using her power to augment the Sith then Malak's fleet is invincible." Vandar said, "Our only hope is to somehow stop Bastila from using her Battle Meditation."
"No one is invincible... even with Battle Meditation on their side." I said flatly, "You know this. Remember Riladae?"
"And how do you suggest we defeat Malak's fleet, then?" Vandar asked coldly, "I seem to recall the battle for Riladae was lost only due to the Sith use of the dark side."
I rolled my eyes, "Everyone has a weakness. And I'm hers. If I fight against the troops she is backing, she will suffer the debilitating loss of will that she would try to inflict on her enemies, through our Force-bond. That would stop her from being able to focus her meditation."
Vandar shook his head, "That is a long shot. Our plan has a greater chance of success. And as Master Vrook alluded, this would give you a chance for vengeance."
"You're going to send us onto the Star Forge to confront her, in the fond hope that I'll get myself killed fighting Malak when you eventually blast the Star Forge into space-dust." I said coldly.
"That was not the intent behind our plan." Vandar said. He sounded almost hurt that I would think him capable of such maliciousness, "I will send a squadron of Jedi Knights to the Star Forge to find Bastila. Their small ships will be able to fly through the Sith blockade and dock on the space station. If they can find Bastila, they may be able to distract her attention from the battle overhead."
"I hate to ask you this after all you've done, Carth, but the Jedi may need all the help they can get..." the Admiral said apologetically.
"Don't worry, Admiral." Carth said, smiling faintly, "The Ebon Hawk and her crew are going to see this through to the end!"
"And may the Force be with you." Vandar added. I tried to ignore that Jedi platitude, but some part of me took deep offence at it, while another part of my mind was grateful to hear it. Such a little detail, yet it caused such conflict in me. It must be the Star Forge's fault.
x x x
We made it through a gap in the Star Forge's defences, though most of the Jedi craft accompanying us were shot down in the attempt.
As soon as the Hawk landed, Carth and I made our way to the common room, where the rest of the crew were waiting.
"I want two volunteers to accompany me." I said calmly.
"Only two?" Mission asked blankly.
"I need backup, someone who can shoot at things, and someone with a lightsaber. I'm thinking HK and Juhani." I said flatly, "I can protect two, if we come up against something they can't handle, but any more than that... I don't want to lose any of you."
"I would rather not enter the belly of the beast." Juhani said, "I do not know if I could resist it, if I did."
"I could go, instead of her." Dustil offered.
"No way!" Carth snapped, "I'm not letting you put yourself in danger like that!"
"We're already in danger, and every second we waste makes that danger more likely to be fatal!" Dustil growled.
"He's right, Carth." I said, "And Dustil, you can come with me, if you want to."
"If he's going, so am I!" Carth demanded.
"Good... my plan still works out, with you instead of HK." I said, smirking, "Just don't shoot at anything with a lightsaber. That's as good as shooting yourself, given the likelihood of them reflecting it."
"I'm not stupid. I knew that already." Carth growled.
"Let's go. No time to waste." I said, "The rest of you, guard the ship."
I led the two men off the ship, and into the Star Forge. There was a small group of Jedi fighting dark Jedi, on the docking level. "Dustil... which side would you fight, here?" I asked, watching the six people fighting each other.
"I would side with the Sith." he said quietly.
I shook my head, "The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Malak is our enemy. We side with the Jedi." I said calmly. I then threw Force lightening at two of the Sith, killing them instantly.
Dustil shrugged, "Whatever you say, My Lord." he said, and he then used the Force to choke the third Sith to death.
The three Jedi approached us - two of them seemed a bit exhausted from their fighting, but the third seemed fairly unharmed, "Thank you for your assistance." he said, warily, "We don't want the Sith to cut off our escape route. We'll stay here and hold this docking bay. You get in there and find Bastila!"
I nodded curtly, "Come on, boys..."
Dustil and Carth followed me into the Star Forge itself. As we walked along the eerie walkways, Dustil just had to look over the edge... he let out a low whistle, "That's a long way down." he noted, running his hand along the rail designed to keep people from falling.
"Yes... fun to throw people you don't like down, too." I added, "There's a reactor a mile or so down there, it's concealed by shadows. Makes some pretty fireworks if anything organic hits it."
"That's delightful, Revan." Carth said coldly.
'The Jedi are formidable opponents.' the voice in my mind was strong... barely familiar. It wasn't the Star Forge talking, though. I continued to walk cautiously along the walkway.
"This is too quiet." Carth muttered.
"Don't say that. It's tempting the Force." Dustil retorted.
'You underestimate the power of the Star Forge's droid army. Dispatch the droids.' the same voice in my mind.
"Droids..." I said quietly.
Metalic sounds from beyond the doors we were approaching.
"Star Forge assault droids!" I said, more clearly.
Carth raised his blasters at the doors, and Dustil stepped forward to my side, lightsaber in hand. The doors burst open, and a pair of red assault-droids charged us... Carth's blaster-fire bounced off them.
"Dustil, you're a genius." I muttered, putting my arm out in front of the boy, and pushing him back as I backed away from the droids.
"Huh? What? How?" he asked, surprised.
When the droids rounded the corner of the walkway, I threw a strong wave of the Force at them. They both flew back, over the railing, and down the near-bottomless shaft.
I grinned, as I rushed to the rail, to look down, "Let's see if droids make the same fireworks." Dustil was at my side in seconds. Carth joined us a few moments later. Almost a minute passed, before huge bolts of electricity flashed in the shaft, charging the walls, and making a spectacular display.
"Wow!" Dustil said, awed, "Cool!"
"That's better than organic meatbags..." I noted, "Who says men are better than machines?" I laughed.
"For things to kill, I have to agree with you..." Carth noted, "But..." he looked at me, clearly trying not to smile. He certainly didn't want to finish that statement in front of Dustil. I still knew what he was implying.
I grinned at him, "I might hold you to that, Carth."
He raised an eyebrow, but didn't stammer or try to back-pedal. "Let's just find Bastila and get the hell out of here."
"Right." I turned and went through the door the droids had entered through.
There were many more droids, but Force lightening is a very useful skill to learn. The droids either fell to their doom, or fried... or both, if they hit the reactor when they fell. Eventually, we ran into some more Jedi fighting some more dark Jedi. The Jedi were losing badly.
In fact, as we watched, the last of the three Jedi met a quick end on the lightsaber of one of the three Sith... who then sensed us, and turned to face us, "Ah... more victims for us to slaughter." she jeered.
"You have no clue who you're talking to, do you?" I asked, amused.
"May I kill her?" Dustil asked hopefully.
"Sure... have fun." I said brightly. Carth grit his teeth, as Dustil and I charged the three Sith. All three died within a minute.
"This is too easy." Dustil said brightly.
"Now look who's tempting the Force." I retorted. His lip curled in a slightly more mature alternative to sticking his tongue out at me.
I put my lightsabers away, and continued to lead the two men along the walkway.
'The droids failed.' the same voice in my mind, again. I stopped walking, and tried to focus in on it, 'Send out all available troops. The apprentices, as well. ... Of course not! But they will slow Revan down.'
I frowned, "Somehow, I get the feeling we should hurry up..." I said, frowning.
"Says she who is standing stock-still." Carth noted.
I glared at him, "I stopped to... to listen to what the Force was telling me." I said coldly, "Now let's move it!"
I started jogging briskly along the walkways. '... will make an interesting test subject.' Through the adjoining doors... and right into a group of Sith apprentices and soldiers.
"Carth, shoot anything without a lightsaber." I ordered, "Dustil, let's show these losers how a real Sith fights."
Dustil grinned darkly, as he ignited his lightsaber. The soldiers fell quite quickly, to well-aimed head-shots from Carth, while they tried to focus on us. One of the Sith apprentices had the bright idea to try to throw his lightsaber at Carth... Carth ducked and shot the Sith in the forehead while he was unable to deflect the shot.
Dustil and I quickly dispatched the other two apprentices. "I get the feeling there'll be more where those came from." Carth said, catching up with us.
"Gee, you think?" I asked sarcastically.
"Where did they all come from?" Dustil asked... quite a naive question, I thought, "I mean, the academy doesn't churn out that many Force-adept Sith... three or four a year, tops."
"The academy isn't the only source of manpower the Sith have." I said flatly.
Dustil shrugged, and we continued to walk deeper into the Star Forge. We fought several more groups of Sith apprentices and soldiers, but they weren't exactly difficult to kill. Half the time, a decent Force wave sent them flying over the edge of the walkway... the rest of the time, decapitation or blaster bolts were just as fatal.
Eventually, we reached one of the Forge-rooms. A small room designed to create armour for troops. After we killed the three dark Jedi guarding it, I tried to enter my access codes into the computer. "Damn it!" I snapped, hitting the console with the heel of my hand, "Are either of you any good at slicing computers?"
"Don't look at me." Carth said, shrugging.
"I've gotten into some encrypted files at the academy... I might be able to slice it." Dustil said, stepping forward.
"Please try." I said, gesturing to the console.
He took out a handful of computer spikes, and set to work on it. "Why do you want to slice this computer, Revan?" Carth asked.
"This particular Forge station creates customised robes and armour, tailored to best shield the wearer's weaknesses and enhance their strengths." I said calmly.
"But the Star Forge is a tool of the dark side." he said pointedly.
"It is... but to customise its creations to its users means that if the user is a servant of the light, it will create an item to serve that strength." I answered.
Carth frowned, but a moment later, Dustil announced, "I'm in." as the computer beeped.
I stepped over to the console, and read the computer-code there, "Dustil, put your hand on the scanner."
He frowned, but did so. I typed in the codes to create customised robes. The items appeared, materialised out of thin air, in the receptacle next to the terminal, and Dustil removed his hand from the scanner.
The robes were sleek, black, with silver thread woven through it, making the black material seem a moderate shade of grey from a distance. They were lightweight robes, the same cut as those the Jedi knights and Sith apprentices wore, but with a cloak, similar to the one I had stolen from Bandon, although the same silver thread wove through it as well. The robes had a fine blue trim around them, as if blue thread was used to sew the silver-black material together. I read the computer's description of the robes it had created, while Dustil stared at them intently. 'Subject is trained in the use of darker skills, but has an affinity to both sides. Enhances the power of anger and passion, allowing for the subject's innate dark skills to be better used. Also strengthens basic light elements: bravery and willpower, which should allow the subject to use Force defences to great effect.'
"Those robes are yours, Dustil." I said quietly, choosing not to explain the description to him. He took them, and glanced around. "You can probably change behind the computer console." He nodded and disappeared behind the console, "Carth, your turn."
"Uh uh. No way." he said coldly.
I glared at him, "It won't hurt you!" I snapped, "And I said it before, if you're not already a part of the dark side, it won't create anything that can turn you!"
He glared at me.
"Oh, don't be such a coward, dad!" Dustil's voice snapped from behind the computer console.
Carth's right eye twitched slightly, but he walked over to the console and placed his hand on the scanner. I typed in the code for customised armour.
The armour that appeared was a deep blue colour, with contrasting glints of red when the light hit it just right. It was a medium-weight armour, which appeared to be designed to allow freedom of movement, yet afforded fair protection from attack as well. I read the description. 'Subject shows great skill with the use of ranged weaponry, therefore this combat method has been taken into account. Enhances light side attributes - in spite of weakness in the Force, this should allow for an increased degree of instinctive ability to dodge and aim. Protection rating: ten. Mobility optimal.'
Dustil reappeared from behind the computer console, wearing his new robes. He grinned brightly, "These are cool!"
"Yeah... they look it." I replied, "Carth, get changed." I ordered.
He glared at me, "What were you reading?"
"See for yourself." I said, stepping aside. Carth read the information on the armour, and then gave me a surprised look, "Is this information accurate?"
"What the Jedi call the 'taint' of the dark side is not present in that armour, Carth." I said calmly.
He nodded, taking my word for it, even though he would not accept the Star Forge's word. He took the armour, and vanished behind the computer console.
I placed my hand on the scanner, and typed in the codes for customised robes. The robes that appeared were voluminous, and a very dark shade of emerald green. The last time I had created customised robes here, they had been jet-black. I read the description for them. 'Subject displays confusion. Light side abilities are present, but suppressed. Supposition, if the subject were given the appropriate stimuli, full potential could be achieved. Full potential would involve both dark logic and passion, coupled with light compassion and passion. This robe shall enhance the user's empathy, allowing compassion to be brought to the fore. Also enhances resistance to offensive Force powers, and allows the subject to regenerate without exhausting use of light skills.'
I smiled slightly, and typed in a new code, with my hand still on the scanner. Customised mask. The mask that appeared, resting neatly on top of the robes, was made of a dark metal, not quite black. My old mask had been jet-black with red designs on it, making a mockery of a face in colours of blood. This mask bore no markings, however. I read its description, 'Provides for what the subject feels is an essential need to block external mental influences. Also enhances awareness through Force sight, without draining energy.' I smirked. Just what I wanted.
Carth reappeared - that armour looked pretty good on him. "What's that?" he asked, nodding to the robes and mask.
"Mine." I said flatly, collecting them, "And if you boys would show me the common decency of not trying to peek while I change..." I made my way over to the computer console, and vanished behind it.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Dustil said, with a too-innocent tone. Even though I could see neither of them, I sensed Carth glare at Dustil for his tone.
It only took me a minute to change, and I stepped out from behind the console, wearing my new robes, with my hood down and my mask in my hand. "What do you think?" I asked, twirling on the spot, so the robes flew out around me.
"That... that looks both beautiful and creepy at the same time." Carth said bluntly.
I grinned at him, "Thanks."
"And your hair's looking a lot better." Dustil noted, still with the too-innocent tone.
"Well no one shall see it, either way." I said coldly, pulling up the hood.
"Aww... shame." Dustil teased. Both Carth and I glared at him.
I led the two of them out of the room, we killed a few more Sith apprentices and soldiers, and had fun eliminating the blaster-turrets that were firing on us... of course, reflecting the blaster-bolts with our lightsabers made that a much easier job, really.
'Master, why have you summoned me? Without my Battle Meditation there is a chance the Republic capital ships could break through and attack the Star Forge itself!' I heard it as if Bastila was standing right next to me... I continued to walk, albeit a little slower, as I listened carefully through the Force.
'This will not take long, Bastila.' the same voice I had heard as I had made my way through the Star Forge... I now understood... it was Malak, 'You will be able to resume your Battle Meditation soon enough. I only wanted you to know that Revan is here on the Star Forge.'
'Revan? But...'
'The Force is bringing us towards a confrontation with my old master. The Star Forge has drawn our enemies together so they may all die in a single, glorious day!' Ha... you wish. 'You must kill Revan to prove yourself worthy of being my apprentice, Bastila. You must finish what began in the Rakatan Temple.'
'Y-yes, Lord Malak.' fear... confusion... her resolve wavering ever-so-slightly.
'I sense your fear, Bastila. But it is unfounded. The power of the Star Forge will feed the dark side within you, it will give you the strength you need to defeat my old master. Stay here in the command centre while you use your Battle Meditation against the Republic fleet. Revan will find you here in due time. It is inevitable.'
'Of course, Master. I will not fail you again.' the conflict was viciously beaten back into the little locked box in her mind that she kept all her emotions in.
I frowned, and accelerated my pace again. The two men kept up with me.
We slaughtered our way through several more dark Jedi and Sith soldiers. When we had a break in the onslaught, I asked, "Can you feel it?"
"Feel what?" Carth asked.
"It... it feels like Battle Meditation... from the wrong side." I said quietly, "She doesn't want us to reach her."
"I can feel it." Dustil said quietly, "It's like something in the back of my mind telling me this is a hopeless cause, and we should just give up while we have the chance."
Carth looked at Dustil sharply, "If that's what you two are talking about... I can feel it too. But we've fought through impossible odds before... if it would take a miracle to win this battle, then we'll find it."
I smirked, "You're strong-willed, Carth... that sort of immutable hope is rare."
Carth smiled weakly, "Thanks, I think."
Dustil frowned, and stopped walking, "I'm not so lucky." he muttered, "I really want to go back to the ship."
I turned to face him, "You can't do that." I said my voice wavering ever-so-slightly. The Battle Meditation was making me apprehensive and frightened. "I won't let you go alone, you could get killed. Even though you are powerful, if you come up against overwhelming numbers of opponents, especially under the influence of Battle Meditation, you will lose. And we're not turning back to escort you to safety."
He bowed his head, "I'm..." he scowled, "I hate to admit this... it's weakness... but... I'm afraid."
I stepped closer to him, and put my hand on his shoulder, "Don't be. Push your fears and misgivings to the back of your mind. She wants you to be afraid... don't let her win."
"I... I can't." he whispered. I sighed - the boy was an excellent fighter and he had Force skills that could nearly rival my own if he were properly trained, but he appeared to be incredibly susceptible to mind-tricks... I could probably Force-persuade him to bark like a kath hound and chase an imaginary tail, if I felt inclined to do so.
"Dustil... focus... calm." I said carefully. "Battle Meditation is more brutal to Sith than Jedi, because the Sith techniques for blocking mental influence only give the Battle Meditation more of a foothold. Battle Meditation plays on your own fears - it doesn't implant external thoughts."
He frowned, "I don't understand."
"Clear your mind. Block out all emotion. Let nothing but cold clear logic effect your judgement." I said, "Like the Jedi do." I added quietly.
I watched as he tried to follow these instructions... it looked like he had trouble doing so.
I sighed, "We don't have time for you to learn Jedi tricks." I said, exasperated, "It takes years to prefect." I waved my hand in front of Dustil's face, "Clear your mind. Block her out." I said with strong Force in my words.
His eyes sharpened, as the unwanted mental influences left him - the exact opposite to the effect Force persuasion usually has. "Thank you." he said quietly.
"Now let's keep going. The longer we wait, the more Sith are going to put themselves in our way." I said, turning sharply, and leading the way towards where I could sense Bastila was waiting for us.
x x x
Eventually, we reached a set of doors through which I could sense Bastila's presence.
"How are you going to fight her?" Dustil asked, staring at the closed door, as if he could see her through it, "You couldn't even raise your lightsaber against her."
"I think I can handle it." I said quietly.
"I'll help if..." it seemed he'd been about to say 'if you need it'... but changed his wording suddenly, "If I can."
I nodded, "Thanks."
I opened the door and stepped through. The door slammed shut before Dustil or Carth could follow me.
Bastila was kneeling in the centre of the room, meditating. She glowed with a visible blue aura that even a Force-blind would have seen. So this is what Battle Meditation actually looks like. I approached her warily, and she looked up at me, breaking her meditation, the visible aura around her fading.
"Revan - I knew you'd come for me." she said calmly.
"I'll never give you up, Bastila." I answered, "You're my bond-mate. Wherever you run I'll hunt you down, I'll always find you."
She sighed, "I have no doubt of that. I knew when I fled the temple, that you would follow me here. Now you must pay the price. Here on the Star Forge the power of the dark side is at its strongest. And you cannot defeat me!"
She drew her lightsaber, and lunged at me. I evaded her first attack, and backed away. I managed to keep my eyes on her, as I raised my new mask to my face, and fastened it there. She lunged at me again, but I drew my lightsaber, and blocked her.
"How?" she asked, surprised.
"This mask... it allows me to block the part of our bond that forces me into submission." I said, smirking even though she couldn't see it. I knew she could sense it.
She frowned, and redoubled her efforts. I blocked her every attack. I had never really faced Bastila in battle before. I only knew her fighting style from fighting alongside her. Still, her fighting style had changed slightly - she took a more offensive position, trying to beat me back. I held my ground, but it was exhausting to do so.
Eventually, I landed a blow on her left arm. She yelped, and backed away from the fight. I was panting slightly - she may not be as good with a lightsaber as I was, but she certainly could put up a good fight.
"You are growing weary, I can sense it!" she crowed, "Your strength falters, the light side is failing you while the power of the Star Forge re-energizes me! Soon this will all be over!"
"I'm not using the light... or can't you tell?" I taunted.
She frowned at me, "Where you gain your power is irrelevant." she snorted, "The dark side has made me stronger than I ever was before! I have a greater command of the Force than all but the most powerful Jedi Masters. As Malak teaches me the greatest secrets of the Sith, I will unlock more of my potential. Eventually there will be no limit to what I can accomplish with the Force!"
I rolled my eyes, though it may not have been clearly visible to her, "You're being controlled by the dark side, Bastila. Can't you see it's using you?"
"Jedi propaganda. The dark side is only a tool, and Malak will train me in its use." she said proudly, "Eventually I will surpass my Master and challenge him. If I am worthy he will die by my hand."
"And what then?" I asked, "You will take a new apprentice, who will one day kill you? An unending cycle of death and betrayal. Is that truly something you wish to be a part of?"
"This is the way of the Sith, it is how we assure our leaders are always the strongest and most worthy!"
"It need not be that way. You can have power, even use your inner darkness, without so much blood on your hands. Without needing to watch your back lest your closest allies conceal a knife for it!"
"Ha!" she barked, a cruel parody of a laugh, but it clearly got across the point that she didn't believe me, "You are trying to trick me! Your lies will not sway me!"
"I NEVER LIE! I snarled, "And I will not allow you to remain under the thrall of the Star Forge! I will MAKE you see that I am right!"
"In your dreams!" she snarled, lunging at me with her lightsaber... I noticed her arm had healed itself, likely the Star Forge's doing.
"If needs be, yes." I said coldly, blocking her, and resuming the duel. She fought with reckless abandon, backing me towards the sealed door... I had to use the Force to accelerate my movements, to keep up with her onslaught. Eventually, inevitably, I disarmed her and brought her to her knees.
"No, this is not possible!" she cried, "You have rejected the dark side! How can you still stand against me? Why can't I defeat you?"
"I am still a Sith Master, Bastila. You are merely an apprentice." I said quietly, "Malak was a fool to send you to face me. A fool and a coward."
"Yes, I see you speak the truth." she whispered, "I am no match for you. Please, for the sake of what we once shared, do not make me suffer. End my life quickly. There is no other way."
"No. I couldn't kill you, even with this mask to block out our bond." I said flatly, deactivating my lightsaber, "I still love you, Sister."
She looked up at me, stunned by this admission, "You... love me?" she laughed weakly, "You said it once before, but I never paid much heed to its true meaning. I had similar feelings for you - love may be a strong word for it, but... I did care for you." she sighed, "Malak knew how I felt. Any part of the light that was within me would be extinguished when I killed you. But what good is love? It cannot save me from the sea of blackness I am drowning in. I have betrayed everything I ever believed in! How can I atone for that?"
"Love conquers all." I said quietly.
She shot me a glare, "Try telling Malak that." she suggested coldly, throwing the remark from the vision I had confided in her right back in my face.
"I will." I snapped, angrily.
"But you cannot trust me." she said quietly, "How do you know I wouldn't turn on you when you faced Darth Malak? How do you know the dark side wouldn't make me betray you again?"
I clipped my lightsaber to my belt, and slowly reached up to remove my mask, letting it fall with a metallic clatter to the floor at my feet. "I can trust you, Bastila..." I smiled faintly, "And you won't hurt me."
She slowly picked herself up to her feet, "You play a dangerous game, Revan. Are you certain you wish to take this risk?" she asked, "I could end your life and gain Malak's favour with a single stroke of my lightsaber."
"You could... but you won't." I said quietly, holding my hands out to the sides in a gesture of surrender.
She eyes me critically for a moment, before she spoke, "You are brave... and some would say foolish." she said coldly, "But you are also right. The dark side has not wholly consumed me. I cannot raise my blade against you."
I smiled, as she put her lightsaber back onto her belt, "Stay here, sister." I said quietly, "Use your Battle Meditation to help beat the crap out of Malak's minions." I smirked, "I'll go beat the crap out of Malak."
She smiled, "Yes, that would be for the best." she said, nodding, "You don't need me to defeat Malak, anyway... but you have to hurry. Once I turn the battle in the Republic's favour we won't have much time to escape the Star Forge before it is destroyed. Good luck... and may the Force be with you."
I turned and left, as she resumed her Battle Meditation. I could feel the Force urging me onwards, to face Malak... I knew Bastila was on our side, now, even if I hadn't already trusted her.
x x x
I stepped out onto the observation deck, where I knew Malak would be waiting for me. I saw him standing in the centre of the deck, watching the space-battle outside. The view was quite spectacular, even though I was familiar with space-battles in general... the Star Forge fighters and capital ships dominated the scene, dwarfing the smaller Republic fleet. Yet, some Republic fighters were breaking through the defences of the Sith fleet, in spite of the odds against them.
Malak seemed not to entirely comprehend how the Sith fleet could be losing space to the Republic as they were. But when he sensed me, realisation hit him - he suddenly understood what I must have done. He turned to face me, even as I continued to watch the fight outside.
"Well done, Revan." he said calmly. I didn't take my eyes off the battle, "I was certain the defences of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see you are stronger than I thought; stronger than you ever were during your reign as the Dark Lord. I did not think that was possible."
"Nothing's impossible, Malak." I smiled faintly, still not turning to face him, "Surely you know that?"
He nodded, and spared a glance for the battle I was watching, "What do you find so fascinating out there? I never understood it."
"I see every life in that battle... it's like reading a story of emotion, pain, fear... death." I said calmly.
The faint glitter in his eyes made me feel he would have smiled if he could... albeit a distant, sad smile.
"If we fight, you won't win, Malak." I said quietly.
He snorted, "Once you were stronger than me, Revan. But as your apprentice I surpassed you. The Master must always be stronger than the apprentice... that was why I betrayed you."
I finally deigned to look at him, "You don't seriously think that, do you?" I laughed, "You betrayed me from afar, because you were afraid to face me, Malak!"
"No!" he snarled, "I was prepared to face you, Revan. But fate presented me with a better option. I saw my opportunity and seized it. The trap set by the Jedi only hastened my decision. If they had not attacked I would have challenged you for mastery of the Sith soon enough."
"And if it weren't for the Jedi, when would you have stabbed me in the back, Malak? As I slept?!" I demanded.
I had hit a nerve with that one, "I had planned on challenging you to a duel. I had planned it for weeks before the Jedi attack. But if you want me to stab you in the back that badly, I happily could!"
My eyes narrowed, as I watched him, "Try it." I hissed, "Just try it."
He drew his lightsaber and attacked me. I drew my own lightsaber, and the duel began. I had thought I was ready for this fight, but... he had grown much more powerful in the last year. I had got a taste of that power when I duelled him on the Leviathan, but nowhere near the full effect. I thought I had made up for my weakness then, but... I was barely blocking his attacks.
He backed me across the room, towards the edge of the platform. It wasn't the same generator at the bottom of that shaft, but it could have the same pyrotechnic effect. I used the Force to push him back, and leapt up onto a higher walkway above the main platform. I wasn't sure I could defeat him, now... he had beaten me on the Leviathan, and I didn't want to die today. So I hid, instead. He tried to chase me, up to the platform, but I evaded him, running down to hide underneath the upper walkway he now stood on.
"Are you afraid to face me, Revan?" he asked, his voice echoing around the room. I had been exhausted merely by that brief clash of our lightsabers, but now I was recovering my energy through the regeneration the customised robes afforded me. I didn't know how to fight him, though. "Where are you hiding?"
He was standing directly above me, now. I sent a psychic wave of fear at him, which froze him long enough for me to push my lightsaber up through the walkway he stood on, almost cutting his foot in half lengthways, before he could move.
He yelled in pain, and limped down the walkway to where I stood. I waited, ready to fight... but he didn't attack me. "It takes more than brute force to win a war, Malak." I said, warily, "Knowing when to retreat and how to fight dirty, that is also essential."
"And you certainly know how to run away and stab a person in the back, Revan." he growled.
"That was your foot." I protested.
He chuckled, "You continue to amaze me, Revan. If only you had been the one to uncover the true power of the Star Forge you might have become truly invincible. But you were a fool. All you saw was an enormous factory, all you ever imagined was an infinite fleet rolling forth to crush the Republic. You were blind, Revan - blind and stupid! The Star Forge is more than just a space station. In some ways, it is like a living creature. It hungers. And it can feed on the dark side that is within all of us!"
My eyes lost focus slightly, as I stared at him, "If I'd seen it as a sentient entity, I wouldn't have trusted it." I said quietly - I was looking through the Force at the Star Forge... he was right, it was alive, "And in some way it knew that... you, on the other hand, are even more of a fool to serve the beast's bidding."
He snorted, "Look around you, Revan." he crowed, indicating glass tubes which contained bodies... barely living bodies, "See the bodies? You should recognize them from the Academy. These are Jedi who fell when I attacked Dantooine. For all intents and purposes dead, except for one difference: I have not let them become one with the Force. Instead I have brought them here. The Star Forge corrupts what remains of their power and transfers the dark taint to me!"
I stared in horror as he drained the Force from the nearest of the Jedi to heal his wounded foot. It wasn't like draining life-energy - that's not necessarily fatal, and it allows the victim to join the Force if is it. This was... this was sucking out their souls. It was disgusting. I looked away, unable to bear looking at him.
Malak misinterpreted my revulsion, assuming I was concerned for my own survival, "You cannot beat me, Revan. Not here on the Star Forge. Not when I can draw upon the power of all these Jedi!" he taunted, "And once you are beaten I will do the same to you. You will be trapped in a terrible existence between life and death, your power feeding me as I conquer the galaxy!"
I stared at him, now terrified at that thought, "You vile demented monster! You... you Rakghoul!" I snarled, throwing him away from me with the Force, so he went crashing into the nearest wall. I ran across the room to the nearest undead Jedi, and twisted the machinery with the Force, with the will of my mind and desire to release this helpless victim. The glass broke, and I felt the Jedi join the Force.
I then felt electricity searing through my body. Force lightening. Blinding agony. I fell to my knees, and looked up over my shoulder to see Malak looming over me. "How can you do that to them?" I asked quietly.
He blinked, surprised, not seeing the problem I saw in it. "What do you mean?"
I turned so I was sitting, leaning back slightly with my hands on the floor behind me to support me... standing could be interpreted as an attempt to resume the fight, and I didn't want to do that yet. "How can you destroy them like that? Murder and torture I understand, but to deny someone the right to join the Force... that is something I cannot comprehend doing."
"You never truly understood the essence of the dark side, Revan." he said, bemused, "Those who cannot defend themselves deserve whatever they get."
"No one deserves that." I hissed.
"Why did you call me a...?" he wasn't sure exactly what I had called him, I could tell.
"A Rakghoul." I said coldly, "Rakghouls are disgusting creatures found only in the lowest levels of Taris... no doubt some survived your pointless bombardment... unfortunately they are resilient beasts. They spread a venom that turns sentients into Rakghouls... and Rakghouls have no soul, no essence in the Force... to do that to someone, you are on that level."
He snorted, "I still have a soul."
"You should act like it, then." I snarled.
He shook his head, and took a step towards me. I quickly picked myself up to my feet, and backed away from him. "What's the matter, Revan? Scared?"
I sneered at him, and threw him back with the Force, before running to the nearest undead Jedi prisoner, and breaking the machine holding him, as well. I felt him join the Force, and turned to see Malak racing to stop me. I threw him back again, and repeated this exercise until all the Jedi prisoners were free and dead.
Malak finally caught up with me, as I felt the last Jedi prisoner join the Force... and I got another dose of Force lightening for my trouble. I screamed in pain, but managed to stay standing. I turned to face Malak, glaring viciously, "That bloody hurt!" I yelled.
"It was supposed to." he said coldly.
The Star Forge shook with the first attack of the Republic fleet... and I felt wild screams of rage and pain, through the Force, from the station itself. Malak ignited his lightsaber again, and I drew my own lightsabers as well. This was it. I couldn't afford to stall or play games anymore.
'Revan...' Bastila's voice cut clear as crystal through my mind, 'The Republic fleet is bombarding the Star Forge. We're running out of time.'
'I can't fight him alone. Help me!' I replied to her.
And almost immediately I felt the Force flow around me, light and dark, love and hate, all flowing through the single-minded desire to end this quickly and in my favour. I attacked first, moving with unnatural speed, my two lightsabers a mere blur as I swung at him. He managed to dodge and block me very well, but with Battle Meditation on my side I could sense his confidence fading. As I beat him back, he tried to throw me away from him with the Force, but it failed. My green lightsaber got past his defence, and ran through his stomach.
I immediately deactivated my lightsabers and clipped them hastily to my belt, as he dropped his own weapon and fell to his knees. I sensed his injury through the Force, and said quietly, "This wound is mortal... you will be dead within minutes."
"Im... impossible." he coughed, "I... I cannot be beaten. I am the Dark Lord of the Sith."
"So am I, Malak." I said quietly, kneeling in front of him, "You are much stronger than you were when you were my apprentice... but I am still the Master."
"Yes... I cannot deny it any longer." he answered, his breathing becoming more laboured, "You are the one who deserves... who deserves to be the Dark Lord." he stopped talking to cough, again... I wondered how coughing up blood would effect his implants, because that's the type of cough it sounded like.
"Malak... the Star Forge is dying." I said quietly, "Can you hear it?" the screams in my mind made it difficult to think, right now.
"Yes... what... what have you done?" he asked.
"It was using us, Malak." I said quietly, "The Star Forge is a sentient entity, how could you possibly trust it?"
"It... it offered me everything." he answered weakly.
"And what is it you truly want?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment, barely able to breathe it seemed, before he said, "You."
I blinked a few times, "Then why did you try to kill me?"
He looked away from me, "It wanted me to... I couldn't take over the galaxy if I served you."
"You gullible trusting moron." I laughed weakly, "Malak... it's not too late. I could heal you, and the Jedi wouldn't refuse to help us."
He shook his head, which seemed to trigger another coughing fit. "The Jedi cannot help me now. Nor would I want them to."
"And what do you want?" I asked warily, "I could still heal you." I reached out through the Force, to try to heal his wound, but he blocked me with what little strength he had left in the Force.
"I am dying, Revan." he said, barely a whisper. I took his hand, wishing I could undo the damage I had done... this mortal wound, his jaw, his soul... all of it. "It is my time. And so it ends as I somehow always knew it must: in darkness."
I felt him join the Force, and I caught him as his body fell towards me. His eyes remained open, unfocused... the golden gleam of the dark side faded, leaving the ice blue of his natural eye colour. I lowered his body to the floor gently, even though I knew he was dead. I closed his eyes, and stood up sharply.
The Star Forge shook again.
I wiped the tears from my eyes, and turned and ran for the elevator to the docking level. 'Bastila, I'm on my way back to the Hawk, now.' I called through our bond.
'I'm sorry, Revan.' she replied, 'I feel your pain... we'll be waiting for you.'
x x x
Author's Notes: Mwahahahahahaa... hope you liked the cliffhanger... heh heh, so that's how I get you all to review - wow, I mean look at all of these reviews - thank you all! Ok, so this chapter was the one that was SUPPOSED to contain the romance-stuff... but Carth still doesn't trust Revan. I don't blame the man, I mean she did try to take over the galaxy, but it's annoying me! Oh well, I guess we'll see how it goes - this is the problem with characters who write themselves. One thing I disliked about the game's script was the fact you can't love Bastila platonically, like a sister - especially for the female Revan, the lack of this option annoyed me.
Elflady: Both... heh heh, ok, I'll take votes for both. Thanks, glad you like him - I like to make the brats into not-so-bad-guys (if you've ever read Harry Potter, my Draco fics are a prime example of this). As for the Star Forge, it seemed logical that a creature like that would call out to them - glad you liked it.
F-15 Eaglestrike: Well, I hated how the game all but ignored the bond with female-Revan... so that's why I made such a big point out of it. Your vote for "both" is acknowledged.
NathanPostmark: Glad you like it.
arrow maker: First vote for light. Cool. She's not going to end up like Damien, though.
Dark Lord Daishi: First dark side vote.
Krazed Kaioshin Fangirl: Lol - ok, I've updated. Happy? I had already made up my mind, before the vote, I just wanted to see what everyone else wanted. Remember, the Star Forge's influence is hard to fight - even with compassion, she would have a hard time disobeying. About the elders: my thoughts exactly, which is why I skipped them. Dustil is a loyal Sith... not like Canderous, because the Sith definition of "loyalty" includes stabbing your boss in the back as soon as you think you can without getting yourself killed. Your LS vote is acknowledged. I can actually read auras, I'm slightly psychic, y'see (seriously - I'm not kidding!) - there are no colours... and the whole thing about drawing/photographing auras is bullshit - it's a sense thing... Revan's descriptions put words that we could follow to a sense that I can't explain - the colours were made up by me, to match their lightsabers, though - glad you understood a word of it. Yes, please do show that to the OO - there's also a reference in the dialog with the One: "You used your power to rip the Rakata language from my mind, even as you drove Basic into our skulls so we could help you in your quest to find something called the 'Star Forge'." if that helps? Nice story. Jolee, your turn... Jolee: All right, little girl... you asked for this one... when I was a young lad, with a full head of hair- {five hours later} and that's just the beginning- VMorticia: Ok, Jolee, you can stop now. Heh heh, I'll count the longer reviews as one vote, anyway - I was just trying to get longer reviews, is all :p
ether-fanfic: Your vote for both is noted. And I'm glad you like the character interactions - I find both Onasi men a real challenge to write.
RollingSkull: Sorry - I'll try to post before you leave (which ain't easy, since I dunno when you're leaving). Heh, that little "exchange" had me in stitches, with laughter... I also don't understand how Kira kept from laughing maniacally... must be all that Jedi training as a kid - poor girl. "Katty"? Lovely nickname, thanks a lot :p You vote for both? Ok.
Niliav: Your vote for both has been noted.
jp33: Both - so noted.
Serran: Thank you for your compliments {bows}. Well, since she actually remembers her past, it seemed logical that Carth (who is trying to deny that he's starting to fall for her) would ask about it - in the game, that forgiveness scene they have seemed kinda fake and corny, to me... so I replaced it with my version. I actually like Malak - I've even started a Revan/Malak fic, to prequel this one (though whether I ever finish it is debatable - I learned the hard way not to upload anything I'm not determined to finish - one of my HP fics died after I'd uploaded chapter 4, and I was so ashamed). I had fun cheating against the terentatek, in my other KotOR fic... I was trying to change the focus for this fic. Uthar was like a son to Jorak... and Revan never liked him, anyway... so he was the mutinous apprentice in Revan's mind, here... in spite of Yuthura's plotting. LS vote noted.
Data: LS vote noted.
Ninja Hero: DS vote noted.
Firera: I'm good at evil cliffhangers, aren't I? Sparks at the end, I promise. Mission is good at immature vengeance...first Canderous, then Dustil. [Success] Revan'll go to the lightside {shakes her head} nah, I'm sticking to the vote... you'll be recorded as voting for both :p
Lord Valentai: You're right, actually {shifty look} lucky for the voters, it's swinging the way I planned in the first placre mwahahahahahahahahaa! Either way, glad you're enjoying it.
khaos974: Revan will never be light again - the vote is for the LS or DS choice at the temple (ie. kill the Jedi, or not)... both endings are different from the game endings... and both are dark, to different levels.
Xan: Your vote for both is noted. You're right, she sure as hell ain't no Jedi, you know! lol, sorry... I think I'm hyper.
rockerbabe: I ended it there, because that's where the two endings diverge - big surprise, isn't it? Oi - Uthar's hair did NOT look like that {shudder}. Yeah - I love Force Jump in JA - it's so cool, that's why I used it in this fic. I like Dustil, too - glad you like him. Um... she didn't lie to the Elders... it's called Economy With The Truth, and Revan and I are the Masters of it. I make a good devil's advocate, don't I? Revan's statements about Malak contradict each other because she herself is confused on this subject - part of her still loves him, but she adamantly refuses to admit it. The Puss-in-Boots eyes only worked once... after I updated, I observed my own "sweet innocent" kitten terrorising the house, and became immune. Your LS vote is acknowledged. Now, seeing Kinky-Stinky, Tipsy, Blah-Blah, and Poo (my interpretation of the Smellitubbies) being mauled by Rakghouls... hmmm... who wants tickets? Fifty credits apiece! Come on, people, you know it's a bargain! Watch them run, scream, die, soil themselves in terror, then ultimitely lose the souls (which I think they sold some time ago, anyway) to that cruelest of dieases... mwahahahahaaa!!
bert: LS vote noted. Glad you like the story.
boo: Thanks. LS vote noted (and I like your reason, too).
Darth Jenrai: I sincerely doubt Malak's as blind/stupid as a lot of people believe - tactless, yes, but also smart, just not good at using the knowledge he has to best effect. As for the hair... Revan is just plain vain. Your vote for both is noted.
Mats Forsen: Thanks. DS vote noted.
Ceridan: Thanks {bows}. Your vote will be recorded as both. I used all my good material for Saul in the other fic - besides, she could sense he knew the answers. No one really knows what happened to Malak's jaw, and while I avoided a definitive explaination in the other fic (though I did make many conflicting insinuations), it was a key plot point in this version. Slytherin - yeah, I did base the Sith Academy a lot on my Slytherin-fics.
mr smizen: DS vote noted.
niva: I know I may be insulting people... but I get the feeling a lot of these anonymous reviews (not neccessarily yours, but in general) could be one person voting many times... but I won't make such unfair assumptions, just because you're all DS people... DS vote noted.
steve: Too right! But there are two choices to make - two seperate paths. One is the "wrong" choice, but both have ambiguous results.
Shogun 144: Both endings are creative. I'll count that as a vote for both.
darth poop: Out of that list you mentioned, the one I'm most proud of is Canderous - I like the idea of him being deep and philosophical (and his opinions on feminism are my own) - glad you liked it. HK got its time in the sun, on Tatooine - I didn't have time to include it much, in this fic - sorry. I thought his interaction with T3 was funny, though. Neutral Revan? As you command, Darth Poop :p
Brynn: A "grey" ending - that's not too difficult. See, the vote was just whether to side with Bastila (DS) or the two Jedi (LS) - both endings are actually quite "grey". I'll put your vote down in "both".
Noop-Ni: Although, that's not Malak's fault... Revan actually doesn't scream... but that's besides the point. Your LS vote is noted.
gamorreanprincess: Yes, I do consider that a compliment - thank you. Revan/Carth were SUPPOSED to have fallen for each other by the time they left Korriban, but NOOOO, Carth had to continue to be a suspicious berk. As for his reaction to Malak, I'm amazed Carth's jaw didn't fall off, it was hanging open in shock so much - I loved writing that scene. Well, if you don't want me to do anything "evil" to Dustil, you'd be advised not to read the DS ending... poor boy. Your LS vote is noted.
snackfiend101: Thank you. Good to know I've still got it (it being the knack for evil cliffhangers). LS vote noted.
HK-48: Nice suggestion. But I've already written both endings. As for a story with a whole bunch of party-members... I started a fanfic showing Revan and Malak's fall to the DS that prequels this fic - there'd be a whole group of people going to fight with them, it'll be fun - it's still in the early stages, though. LS vote noted.
Delight: DS vote noted. Nice reasoning, btw.
schmrdlbrgrsweetheart: Yes, I've written another story called "Revan's Secod Chance" - it's on my author-page here. Your vote for both endings is noted. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
x x x
Chapter 10 - My Chains Are Broken
"Kill them!" Bastila goaded, "Rend their flesh! Show them the fate of all who dare stand against us! Embrace the power of the dark side!"
I stared at the two Jedi, for a moment... the old man was incredibly annoying, but I did value his skills, and his sense of humour was priceless when it was aimed at someone besides me. Juhani was another story... but I still didn't want to hurt her... I may not be overly attached to her, but I liked her well enough. "Sorry, Sister." I said to Bastila, "I'm not going to kill my friends."
Bastila's eyes narrowed, as she glared at me, "You are a pathetic fool, Revan! Together we could have defeated Malak and ruled over an Empire, but now I will be at Lord Malak's side instead!"
She once again lunged at me, her lightsaber passed dangerously close to my chest as I backed away from her. I continued to evade her, backing away into the shadows of the temple, and she continued her assault. Eventually, she backed me into the wall, and swung her blade at my neck.
I ducked, and rolled away from her, but when I turned to face her, I saw that her lightsaber had been blocked by another blade, about an inch from where my neck would have been if I hadn't moved. "You could carry on like that for days, most likely." Dustil said, stepping back and holding his lightsaber defensively, "But I was getting bored watching it." he shrugged, and took a few steps back, his demeanour beckoned Bastila to follow, and they circled each other for a moment, before she attacked him.
The duel was fierce. Both of them were skilled fighters, and neither seemed to be able to gain the upper hand. "Dustil, if you kill her, I will have to torture you." I warned coldly.
Dustil laughed, and threw Force lightening at Bastila... it must not have been that strong, because all it did was throw her off-balance long enough for him to land a solid kick to her stomach. She fell on her backside, hard. He backed off, giving her the chance to run away, but instead, she stood up, eyeing him carefully.
"You are strong, boy." she said, smirking, "If Revan won't help me, perhaps you will... how would you like to be my apprentice? Help me slay Malak. Think of the power you could have."
Dustil raised an amused eyebrow, "Yeah. Like I'll bow to someone whose butt I just kicked." he said, smirking.
Bastila growled, and attacked again. Within moments, she had Dustil pinned face-down on the ground, with her foot between his shoulderblades, "You were saying?" she asked with a false innocent tone... the blade of her lightsaber hovered dangerously close to the back of his neck.
"Your offer suddenly seems a lot more tempting." he said weakly.
Bastila smirked, "Together, we could rule the galaxy."
"I like the sound of that." he said quietly. His aura and tone showed sincerity in his words.
"Dustil, don't." I said coldly.
"Um... I'm not in a position to argue with her, right now." he noted pointedly.
The dillema was excruciating. I couldn't harm Bastila, but... I also couldn't let anything hurt Carth, and if Dustil were harmed - or worse, betrayed his father - that would hurt Carth deeply. I scowled at them. I physically could not harm her, but that didn't mean I couldn't fight.
I send a wave of the Force at her, knocking her back, and her lightsaber went flying harmlessly across the floor, away from Dustil. Bastila landed, once again, on her backside.
Dustil picked himself up, and looked at Bastila warily, as she also stood, glaring at me. Then she turned her attention back to him, "What do you say, boy?"
"Don't do it, Dustil." I said coldly.
He smirked, "I'm with Revan." he said, backing away from her. Bastila glared at me, yet again.
"It's not to late for you, Bastila." Jolee noted, "The dark side is evil but it isn't all powerful. You can still fight against it. Don't let it consume you."
"You are beneath my contempt, old man!" she hissed, "You hid like a coward for decades on Kashyyyk! You know nothing about the true potential of the Force! You will all be crushed along with the Republic and all the other fools who bow down to the Jedi Council! No one can stand against the power of the Star Forge and the Sith fleet!" she turned tail and ran to her ship, nearby.
"Talk about bitchy." Dustil grumbled, as we watched the ship depart rapidly. He was rubbing his shoulder where the heel of her boot had been a moment ago.
"Tell me about it. I'm Force-bonded to her." I muttered, walking over to the computer terminal, and deactivating the disruptor field and the shields blocking the temple entrance.
"I pity you." Dustil said flatly.
x x x
"You're back!" Carth said, the second we appeared on the beach, as he ran over to us, stopping right in front of Dustil, "What were you thinking running off like that? You could have got yourself killed!"
"Calm down, father." Dustil said, sounding exasperated already, "As you can clearly see, I'm still alive. So why don't you interrogate Revan instead... please?"
Carth scowled at him, but he just smiled innocently... which infuriated Carth, no end. Then Carth turned on me, "Where's Bastila? Is she alive? What happened inside that Temple?"
"Malak broke Bastila's will, and turned her to the dark side." I said coldly, "She ran off to the Star Forge."
"The dark side? Bastila? No! How could that happen?" Carth asked.
"She was always in danger of being seduced by the dark side, Carth." Jolee said calmly, "Bastila was strong, but she was always impatient and headstrong. Malak preyed upon her weaknesses."
"I will get her back." I said with determination.
"No doubt." Jolee said, smiling faintly, "I must say that it's good to have you with us, my dear. For a minute there I thought you might decide... well, never mind what I thought."
"Decide? Decide what?" Carth demanded.
"Bastila tried to tempt her to the dark side, to reclaim Revan's heritage. She failed." Juhani answered.
Carth blinked a few times, surprised by this turn of events. He seemed speechless. I smirked evilly, and decided I may as well add to his confusion, "And the poor girl really was determined to recruit someone. Anyone, really. She must really have it in for Malak, if she's so desperate to get help to kill him. Juhani and Jolee were both determinedly goody-goody Jedi... but when Dustil tried to defend me, well..."
"Hey, I just managed to stop him bugging me about running off after you, and you go and say that!" Dustil whined.
"What happened, Dustil?" Carth asked sharply.
"Well..." he gave me a pleading look, and I relented.
"I couldn't fight Bastila." I said flatly, "The Force-bond is like an enforced life-debt - she as good as owns me. So when she tried to kill me, the best I could do was evade her attacks. I was doing fine until your son got bored."
"Hey!" Dustil interrupted.
"That was your exact wording, kid." I said, smirking at his scowl. "He 'got bored' and stepped into the fight. He defended me."
"He did WHAT?!" Carth yelled.
"I was evading Bastila's attacks successfully enough. But Dustil was at least able to fight her, where I couldn't even raise my lightsaber against her." I said quietly, "He fought well, too. But she seemed to have a theory that if she can't kill an enemy, she should try to recruit them - when he proved that he could fight well enough, she started trying to talk him into joining her, since I had refused."
Carth stared at Dustil, who just shrugged, "I'm sure you can guess which choice I made. Can we get back to you interrogating Revan, already?"
"Hey!" I snapped, "I am not just some decoy for you to get out of being told off by your father for trying to get yourself killed!"
"I wasn't trying!" he snapped right back, "If I wanted to try to kill myself, there are much less painful ways than a lightsaber duel!"
I glared at the boy, "You may not have been trying to get yourself killed, kid..." I said coldly, "But you sure seemed tempted by Bastila's offer."
He shrugged, "You don't argue with someone who's holding a lightsaber to your throat." he said flatly.
"Want to bet?" I asked, smirking, "I've done it before."
"Yeah, but that's you. You're... unique." he said defensively.
"Thanks." I said sarcastically.
"Wait a minute." Carth interrupted, "Bastila tried to turn Dustil to the dark side?"
"Not exactly." Dustil said, "You can't turn someone dark if they're not light in the first place."
I glared at the boy, "She tried to convince him to join her as her apprentice." I said pointedly, "I told him not to do it."
Carth's jaw dropped, and he stared at me. I don't think he knew what to say, at that point.
"We don't have time to talk about it now, though." I said, "The Rupublic fleet is going to get here soon... and with Bastila on Malak's side, they'll be massacred. I want my bond-mate back and Malak in pain. You want to save the Republic. Let's go do that." I pushed past Carth, and onto the ship.
The rest of the crew followed me on board. Carth and I went straight for the cockpit, and prepared for take-off.
After about a minute, he finally broke the silence, "Thank you, Revan."
"For what?" I asked innocently.
"For stopping Dustil from turning to the dark side."
"I think he saw it more as following the strongest side of the equation. Bastila tried to recruit him, and I made him choose between her and me. I'm stronger, so he sided with me." I said flatly, "It's how the Sith have taught him to judge situations, and I used that against Bastila."
"You still stopped him from making a huge mistake." Carth said quietly.
"I did, yes." I said quietly.
"So... thank you."
I smiled, "You're welcome."
After another minute, during which he got the ship out of the planet's atmosphere, he spoke again, "I can't hate you." he said quietly. I looked at him, carefully - the emotion in those words, I wasn't sure what he meant, but it fascinated me. "I tried, but... hell, you've changed since I met you. I'm not sure how, but..."
"I realised I was being tricked. You heard my reasoning with Dustil, when we saw the Star Forge." I said quietly, "I don't like being played for a fool."
"I imagine." he sighed, "Why can't I hate you, Revan?" he asked quietly, "I should want you dead for all you've done to me... to the Republic... but I don't."
I frowned, and looked at the control panels in front of me, blankly. It was too much to hope that he was falling for me, as I had fallen for him.
A beeping from the communications console saved me from that line of thought, "The Republic Fleet must have got the message I sent as we were crashing onto that planet." Carth said, pressing a couple of buttons on the commlink, "I'm picking up a transmission from them now."
The holoprojector flared to life behind us. The woman on the holoimage looked to be in her late fifties, by my guess, and the type to age gracefully rather than pretending she's still twenty-something. Her hair was cut in military style, and her posture was that of a career soldier, "This is Admiral Forn Dodonna to the Ebon Hawk, do you read us?"
Carth turned and stood up so his image could be sent in return. "Admiral Dodonna, this is Carth Onasi. We are receiving your transmission."
"Carth, I'm glad to see you're still alive." the Admiral said, "We've begun our assault on the Star Forge, but we're taking heavy losses. How did the Sith ever manage to build something of this scope!"
"The Star Forge wasn't constructed by the Sith, Admiral. We don't have time for me to fully explain it, but that space station is far older than you can imagine." Carth said.
"Maybe we should pull the fleet back and retreat." the Admiral said, with uncertainty, "I don't know if we have the firepower to go up against this alien technology."
"No!" I snapped, stepping up beside Carth, "Admiral, with all due respect... the Star Forge is the source of Malak's seemingly infinite fleet. This is your only chance to eliminate it!"
Admiral Dodonna frowned at me, "And you are...?" she asked warily.
I smirked, "I've been roped into this side of the war by the Jedi Masters, if you must know."
"Ah... Master Zhar's 'project'..." she said coldly, "Forgive me if I do not take your word for it, then."
Carth sighed, "Will you take my word for it, Admiral?" he asked, "The Star Forge is a factory of immense power. It's been churning out the capital ships, snub fighters and assault droids that have powered the Sith war effort. You have to destroy the Star Forge now or you'll be fighting an unending wave of reinforcements."
"Then I guess we have no choice." the Admiral said, with a sigh, "But it isn't going to be easy." I could see great determination emerging to replace her worried scowl. The woman was a fighter. "I can't even get our capital ships into position to start bombarding the Star Forge. The Sith fleet is too well organized. It's like they can guess our every move and counter our every strategy."
"Battle Meditation." I said flatly, "Bastila has become Malak's apprentice. She's using her power against you."
Dodonna glanced to her left, then nodded and stepped to one side to allow the diminutive form of Jedi Master Vandar to step into view, "This is Master Vandar. A number of Jedi Knights have joined our fleet under his command." she noted.
"If Bastila is using her power to augment the Sith then Malak's fleet is invincible." Vandar said, "Our only hope is to somehow stop Bastila from using her Battle Meditation."
"No one is invincible... even with Battle Meditation on their side." I said flatly, "You know this. Remember Riladae?"
"And how do you suggest we defeat Malak's fleet, then?" Vandar asked coldly, "I seem to recall the battle for Riladae was lost only due to the Sith use of the dark side."
I rolled my eyes, "Everyone has a weakness. And I'm hers. If I fight against the troops she is backing, she will suffer the debilitating loss of will that she would try to inflict on her enemies, through our Force-bond. That would stop her from being able to focus her meditation."
Vandar shook his head, "That is a long shot. Our plan has a greater chance of success. And as Master Vrook alluded, this would give you a chance for vengeance."
"You're going to send us onto the Star Forge to confront her, in the fond hope that I'll get myself killed fighting Malak when you eventually blast the Star Forge into space-dust." I said coldly.
"That was not the intent behind our plan." Vandar said. He sounded almost hurt that I would think him capable of such maliciousness, "I will send a squadron of Jedi Knights to the Star Forge to find Bastila. Their small ships will be able to fly through the Sith blockade and dock on the space station. If they can find Bastila, they may be able to distract her attention from the battle overhead."
"I hate to ask you this after all you've done, Carth, but the Jedi may need all the help they can get..." the Admiral said apologetically.
"Don't worry, Admiral." Carth said, smiling faintly, "The Ebon Hawk and her crew are going to see this through to the end!"
"And may the Force be with you." Vandar added. I tried to ignore that Jedi platitude, but some part of me took deep offence at it, while another part of my mind was grateful to hear it. Such a little detail, yet it caused such conflict in me. It must be the Star Forge's fault.
x x x
We made it through a gap in the Star Forge's defences, though most of the Jedi craft accompanying us were shot down in the attempt.
As soon as the Hawk landed, Carth and I made our way to the common room, where the rest of the crew were waiting.
"I want two volunteers to accompany me." I said calmly.
"Only two?" Mission asked blankly.
"I need backup, someone who can shoot at things, and someone with a lightsaber. I'm thinking HK and Juhani." I said flatly, "I can protect two, if we come up against something they can't handle, but any more than that... I don't want to lose any of you."
"I would rather not enter the belly of the beast." Juhani said, "I do not know if I could resist it, if I did."
"I could go, instead of her." Dustil offered.
"No way!" Carth snapped, "I'm not letting you put yourself in danger like that!"
"We're already in danger, and every second we waste makes that danger more likely to be fatal!" Dustil growled.
"He's right, Carth." I said, "And Dustil, you can come with me, if you want to."
"If he's going, so am I!" Carth demanded.
"Good... my plan still works out, with you instead of HK." I said, smirking, "Just don't shoot at anything with a lightsaber. That's as good as shooting yourself, given the likelihood of them reflecting it."
"I'm not stupid. I knew that already." Carth growled.
"Let's go. No time to waste." I said, "The rest of you, guard the ship."
I led the two men off the ship, and into the Star Forge. There was a small group of Jedi fighting dark Jedi, on the docking level. "Dustil... which side would you fight, here?" I asked, watching the six people fighting each other.
"I would side with the Sith." he said quietly.
I shook my head, "The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Malak is our enemy. We side with the Jedi." I said calmly. I then threw Force lightening at two of the Sith, killing them instantly.
Dustil shrugged, "Whatever you say, My Lord." he said, and he then used the Force to choke the third Sith to death.
The three Jedi approached us - two of them seemed a bit exhausted from their fighting, but the third seemed fairly unharmed, "Thank you for your assistance." he said, warily, "We don't want the Sith to cut off our escape route. We'll stay here and hold this docking bay. You get in there and find Bastila!"
I nodded curtly, "Come on, boys..."
Dustil and Carth followed me into the Star Forge itself. As we walked along the eerie walkways, Dustil just had to look over the edge... he let out a low whistle, "That's a long way down." he noted, running his hand along the rail designed to keep people from falling.
"Yes... fun to throw people you don't like down, too." I added, "There's a reactor a mile or so down there, it's concealed by shadows. Makes some pretty fireworks if anything organic hits it."
"That's delightful, Revan." Carth said coldly.
'The Jedi are formidable opponents.' the voice in my mind was strong... barely familiar. It wasn't the Star Forge talking, though. I continued to walk cautiously along the walkway.
"This is too quiet." Carth muttered.
"Don't say that. It's tempting the Force." Dustil retorted.
'You underestimate the power of the Star Forge's droid army. Dispatch the droids.' the same voice in my mind.
"Droids..." I said quietly.
Metalic sounds from beyond the doors we were approaching.
"Star Forge assault droids!" I said, more clearly.
Carth raised his blasters at the doors, and Dustil stepped forward to my side, lightsaber in hand. The doors burst open, and a pair of red assault-droids charged us... Carth's blaster-fire bounced off them.
"Dustil, you're a genius." I muttered, putting my arm out in front of the boy, and pushing him back as I backed away from the droids.
"Huh? What? How?" he asked, surprised.
When the droids rounded the corner of the walkway, I threw a strong wave of the Force at them. They both flew back, over the railing, and down the near-bottomless shaft.
I grinned, as I rushed to the rail, to look down, "Let's see if droids make the same fireworks." Dustil was at my side in seconds. Carth joined us a few moments later. Almost a minute passed, before huge bolts of electricity flashed in the shaft, charging the walls, and making a spectacular display.
"Wow!" Dustil said, awed, "Cool!"
"That's better than organic meatbags..." I noted, "Who says men are better than machines?" I laughed.
"For things to kill, I have to agree with you..." Carth noted, "But..." he looked at me, clearly trying not to smile. He certainly didn't want to finish that statement in front of Dustil. I still knew what he was implying.
I grinned at him, "I might hold you to that, Carth."
He raised an eyebrow, but didn't stammer or try to back-pedal. "Let's just find Bastila and get the hell out of here."
"Right." I turned and went through the door the droids had entered through.
There were many more droids, but Force lightening is a very useful skill to learn. The droids either fell to their doom, or fried... or both, if they hit the reactor when they fell. Eventually, we ran into some more Jedi fighting some more dark Jedi. The Jedi were losing badly.
In fact, as we watched, the last of the three Jedi met a quick end on the lightsaber of one of the three Sith... who then sensed us, and turned to face us, "Ah... more victims for us to slaughter." she jeered.
"You have no clue who you're talking to, do you?" I asked, amused.
"May I kill her?" Dustil asked hopefully.
"Sure... have fun." I said brightly. Carth grit his teeth, as Dustil and I charged the three Sith. All three died within a minute.
"This is too easy." Dustil said brightly.
"Now look who's tempting the Force." I retorted. His lip curled in a slightly more mature alternative to sticking his tongue out at me.
I put my lightsabers away, and continued to lead the two men along the walkway.
'The droids failed.' the same voice in my mind, again. I stopped walking, and tried to focus in on it, 'Send out all available troops. The apprentices, as well. ... Of course not! But they will slow Revan down.'
I frowned, "Somehow, I get the feeling we should hurry up..." I said, frowning.
"Says she who is standing stock-still." Carth noted.
I glared at him, "I stopped to... to listen to what the Force was telling me." I said coldly, "Now let's move it!"
I started jogging briskly along the walkways. '... will make an interesting test subject.' Through the adjoining doors... and right into a group of Sith apprentices and soldiers.
"Carth, shoot anything without a lightsaber." I ordered, "Dustil, let's show these losers how a real Sith fights."
Dustil grinned darkly, as he ignited his lightsaber. The soldiers fell quite quickly, to well-aimed head-shots from Carth, while they tried to focus on us. One of the Sith apprentices had the bright idea to try to throw his lightsaber at Carth... Carth ducked and shot the Sith in the forehead while he was unable to deflect the shot.
Dustil and I quickly dispatched the other two apprentices. "I get the feeling there'll be more where those came from." Carth said, catching up with us.
"Gee, you think?" I asked sarcastically.
"Where did they all come from?" Dustil asked... quite a naive question, I thought, "I mean, the academy doesn't churn out that many Force-adept Sith... three or four a year, tops."
"The academy isn't the only source of manpower the Sith have." I said flatly.
Dustil shrugged, and we continued to walk deeper into the Star Forge. We fought several more groups of Sith apprentices and soldiers, but they weren't exactly difficult to kill. Half the time, a decent Force wave sent them flying over the edge of the walkway... the rest of the time, decapitation or blaster bolts were just as fatal.
Eventually, we reached one of the Forge-rooms. A small room designed to create armour for troops. After we killed the three dark Jedi guarding it, I tried to enter my access codes into the computer. "Damn it!" I snapped, hitting the console with the heel of my hand, "Are either of you any good at slicing computers?"
"Don't look at me." Carth said, shrugging.
"I've gotten into some encrypted files at the academy... I might be able to slice it." Dustil said, stepping forward.
"Please try." I said, gesturing to the console.
He took out a handful of computer spikes, and set to work on it. "Why do you want to slice this computer, Revan?" Carth asked.
"This particular Forge station creates customised robes and armour, tailored to best shield the wearer's weaknesses and enhance their strengths." I said calmly.
"But the Star Forge is a tool of the dark side." he said pointedly.
"It is... but to customise its creations to its users means that if the user is a servant of the light, it will create an item to serve that strength." I answered.
Carth frowned, but a moment later, Dustil announced, "I'm in." as the computer beeped.
I stepped over to the console, and read the computer-code there, "Dustil, put your hand on the scanner."
He frowned, but did so. I typed in the codes to create customised robes. The items appeared, materialised out of thin air, in the receptacle next to the terminal, and Dustil removed his hand from the scanner.
The robes were sleek, black, with silver thread woven through it, making the black material seem a moderate shade of grey from a distance. They were lightweight robes, the same cut as those the Jedi knights and Sith apprentices wore, but with a cloak, similar to the one I had stolen from Bandon, although the same silver thread wove through it as well. The robes had a fine blue trim around them, as if blue thread was used to sew the silver-black material together. I read the computer's description of the robes it had created, while Dustil stared at them intently. 'Subject is trained in the use of darker skills, but has an affinity to both sides. Enhances the power of anger and passion, allowing for the subject's innate dark skills to be better used. Also strengthens basic light elements: bravery and willpower, which should allow the subject to use Force defences to great effect.'
"Those robes are yours, Dustil." I said quietly, choosing not to explain the description to him. He took them, and glanced around. "You can probably change behind the computer console." He nodded and disappeared behind the console, "Carth, your turn."
"Uh uh. No way." he said coldly.
I glared at him, "It won't hurt you!" I snapped, "And I said it before, if you're not already a part of the dark side, it won't create anything that can turn you!"
He glared at me.
"Oh, don't be such a coward, dad!" Dustil's voice snapped from behind the computer console.
Carth's right eye twitched slightly, but he walked over to the console and placed his hand on the scanner. I typed in the code for customised armour.
The armour that appeared was a deep blue colour, with contrasting glints of red when the light hit it just right. It was a medium-weight armour, which appeared to be designed to allow freedom of movement, yet afforded fair protection from attack as well. I read the description. 'Subject shows great skill with the use of ranged weaponry, therefore this combat method has been taken into account. Enhances light side attributes - in spite of weakness in the Force, this should allow for an increased degree of instinctive ability to dodge and aim. Protection rating: ten. Mobility optimal.'
Dustil reappeared from behind the computer console, wearing his new robes. He grinned brightly, "These are cool!"
"Yeah... they look it." I replied, "Carth, get changed." I ordered.
He glared at me, "What were you reading?"
"See for yourself." I said, stepping aside. Carth read the information on the armour, and then gave me a surprised look, "Is this information accurate?"
"What the Jedi call the 'taint' of the dark side is not present in that armour, Carth." I said calmly.
He nodded, taking my word for it, even though he would not accept the Star Forge's word. He took the armour, and vanished behind the computer console.
I placed my hand on the scanner, and typed in the codes for customised robes. The robes that appeared were voluminous, and a very dark shade of emerald green. The last time I had created customised robes here, they had been jet-black. I read the description for them. 'Subject displays confusion. Light side abilities are present, but suppressed. Supposition, if the subject were given the appropriate stimuli, full potential could be achieved. Full potential would involve both dark logic and passion, coupled with light compassion and passion. This robe shall enhance the user's empathy, allowing compassion to be brought to the fore. Also enhances resistance to offensive Force powers, and allows the subject to regenerate without exhausting use of light skills.'
I smiled slightly, and typed in a new code, with my hand still on the scanner. Customised mask. The mask that appeared, resting neatly on top of the robes, was made of a dark metal, not quite black. My old mask had been jet-black with red designs on it, making a mockery of a face in colours of blood. This mask bore no markings, however. I read its description, 'Provides for what the subject feels is an essential need to block external mental influences. Also enhances awareness through Force sight, without draining energy.' I smirked. Just what I wanted.
Carth reappeared - that armour looked pretty good on him. "What's that?" he asked, nodding to the robes and mask.
"Mine." I said flatly, collecting them, "And if you boys would show me the common decency of not trying to peek while I change..." I made my way over to the computer console, and vanished behind it.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Dustil said, with a too-innocent tone. Even though I could see neither of them, I sensed Carth glare at Dustil for his tone.
It only took me a minute to change, and I stepped out from behind the console, wearing my new robes, with my hood down and my mask in my hand. "What do you think?" I asked, twirling on the spot, so the robes flew out around me.
"That... that looks both beautiful and creepy at the same time." Carth said bluntly.
I grinned at him, "Thanks."
"And your hair's looking a lot better." Dustil noted, still with the too-innocent tone.
"Well no one shall see it, either way." I said coldly, pulling up the hood.
"Aww... shame." Dustil teased. Both Carth and I glared at him.
I led the two of them out of the room, we killed a few more Sith apprentices and soldiers, and had fun eliminating the blaster-turrets that were firing on us... of course, reflecting the blaster-bolts with our lightsabers made that a much easier job, really.
'Master, why have you summoned me? Without my Battle Meditation there is a chance the Republic capital ships could break through and attack the Star Forge itself!' I heard it as if Bastila was standing right next to me... I continued to walk, albeit a little slower, as I listened carefully through the Force.
'This will not take long, Bastila.' the same voice I had heard as I had made my way through the Star Forge... I now understood... it was Malak, 'You will be able to resume your Battle Meditation soon enough. I only wanted you to know that Revan is here on the Star Forge.'
'Revan? But...'
'The Force is bringing us towards a confrontation with my old master. The Star Forge has drawn our enemies together so they may all die in a single, glorious day!' Ha... you wish. 'You must kill Revan to prove yourself worthy of being my apprentice, Bastila. You must finish what began in the Rakatan Temple.'
'Y-yes, Lord Malak.' fear... confusion... her resolve wavering ever-so-slightly.
'I sense your fear, Bastila. But it is unfounded. The power of the Star Forge will feed the dark side within you, it will give you the strength you need to defeat my old master. Stay here in the command centre while you use your Battle Meditation against the Republic fleet. Revan will find you here in due time. It is inevitable.'
'Of course, Master. I will not fail you again.' the conflict was viciously beaten back into the little locked box in her mind that she kept all her emotions in.
I frowned, and accelerated my pace again. The two men kept up with me.
We slaughtered our way through several more dark Jedi and Sith soldiers. When we had a break in the onslaught, I asked, "Can you feel it?"
"Feel what?" Carth asked.
"It... it feels like Battle Meditation... from the wrong side." I said quietly, "She doesn't want us to reach her."
"I can feel it." Dustil said quietly, "It's like something in the back of my mind telling me this is a hopeless cause, and we should just give up while we have the chance."
Carth looked at Dustil sharply, "If that's what you two are talking about... I can feel it too. But we've fought through impossible odds before... if it would take a miracle to win this battle, then we'll find it."
I smirked, "You're strong-willed, Carth... that sort of immutable hope is rare."
Carth smiled weakly, "Thanks, I think."
Dustil frowned, and stopped walking, "I'm not so lucky." he muttered, "I really want to go back to the ship."
I turned to face him, "You can't do that." I said my voice wavering ever-so-slightly. The Battle Meditation was making me apprehensive and frightened. "I won't let you go alone, you could get killed. Even though you are powerful, if you come up against overwhelming numbers of opponents, especially under the influence of Battle Meditation, you will lose. And we're not turning back to escort you to safety."
He bowed his head, "I'm..." he scowled, "I hate to admit this... it's weakness... but... I'm afraid."
I stepped closer to him, and put my hand on his shoulder, "Don't be. Push your fears and misgivings to the back of your mind. She wants you to be afraid... don't let her win."
"I... I can't." he whispered. I sighed - the boy was an excellent fighter and he had Force skills that could nearly rival my own if he were properly trained, but he appeared to be incredibly susceptible to mind-tricks... I could probably Force-persuade him to bark like a kath hound and chase an imaginary tail, if I felt inclined to do so.
"Dustil... focus... calm." I said carefully. "Battle Meditation is more brutal to Sith than Jedi, because the Sith techniques for blocking mental influence only give the Battle Meditation more of a foothold. Battle Meditation plays on your own fears - it doesn't implant external thoughts."
He frowned, "I don't understand."
"Clear your mind. Block out all emotion. Let nothing but cold clear logic effect your judgement." I said, "Like the Jedi do." I added quietly.
I watched as he tried to follow these instructions... it looked like he had trouble doing so.
I sighed, "We don't have time for you to learn Jedi tricks." I said, exasperated, "It takes years to prefect." I waved my hand in front of Dustil's face, "Clear your mind. Block her out." I said with strong Force in my words.
His eyes sharpened, as the unwanted mental influences left him - the exact opposite to the effect Force persuasion usually has. "Thank you." he said quietly.
"Now let's keep going. The longer we wait, the more Sith are going to put themselves in our way." I said, turning sharply, and leading the way towards where I could sense Bastila was waiting for us.
x x x
Eventually, we reached a set of doors through which I could sense Bastila's presence.
"How are you going to fight her?" Dustil asked, staring at the closed door, as if he could see her through it, "You couldn't even raise your lightsaber against her."
"I think I can handle it." I said quietly.
"I'll help if..." it seemed he'd been about to say 'if you need it'... but changed his wording suddenly, "If I can."
I nodded, "Thanks."
I opened the door and stepped through. The door slammed shut before Dustil or Carth could follow me.
Bastila was kneeling in the centre of the room, meditating. She glowed with a visible blue aura that even a Force-blind would have seen. So this is what Battle Meditation actually looks like. I approached her warily, and she looked up at me, breaking her meditation, the visible aura around her fading.
"Revan - I knew you'd come for me." she said calmly.
"I'll never give you up, Bastila." I answered, "You're my bond-mate. Wherever you run I'll hunt you down, I'll always find you."
She sighed, "I have no doubt of that. I knew when I fled the temple, that you would follow me here. Now you must pay the price. Here on the Star Forge the power of the dark side is at its strongest. And you cannot defeat me!"
She drew her lightsaber, and lunged at me. I evaded her first attack, and backed away. I managed to keep my eyes on her, as I raised my new mask to my face, and fastened it there. She lunged at me again, but I drew my lightsaber, and blocked her.
"How?" she asked, surprised.
"This mask... it allows me to block the part of our bond that forces me into submission." I said, smirking even though she couldn't see it. I knew she could sense it.
She frowned, and redoubled her efforts. I blocked her every attack. I had never really faced Bastila in battle before. I only knew her fighting style from fighting alongside her. Still, her fighting style had changed slightly - she took a more offensive position, trying to beat me back. I held my ground, but it was exhausting to do so.
Eventually, I landed a blow on her left arm. She yelped, and backed away from the fight. I was panting slightly - she may not be as good with a lightsaber as I was, but she certainly could put up a good fight.
"You are growing weary, I can sense it!" she crowed, "Your strength falters, the light side is failing you while the power of the Star Forge re-energizes me! Soon this will all be over!"
"I'm not using the light... or can't you tell?" I taunted.
She frowned at me, "Where you gain your power is irrelevant." she snorted, "The dark side has made me stronger than I ever was before! I have a greater command of the Force than all but the most powerful Jedi Masters. As Malak teaches me the greatest secrets of the Sith, I will unlock more of my potential. Eventually there will be no limit to what I can accomplish with the Force!"
I rolled my eyes, though it may not have been clearly visible to her, "You're being controlled by the dark side, Bastila. Can't you see it's using you?"
"Jedi propaganda. The dark side is only a tool, and Malak will train me in its use." she said proudly, "Eventually I will surpass my Master and challenge him. If I am worthy he will die by my hand."
"And what then?" I asked, "You will take a new apprentice, who will one day kill you? An unending cycle of death and betrayal. Is that truly something you wish to be a part of?"
"This is the way of the Sith, it is how we assure our leaders are always the strongest and most worthy!"
"It need not be that way. You can have power, even use your inner darkness, without so much blood on your hands. Without needing to watch your back lest your closest allies conceal a knife for it!"
"Ha!" she barked, a cruel parody of a laugh, but it clearly got across the point that she didn't believe me, "You are trying to trick me! Your lies will not sway me!"
"I NEVER LIE! I snarled, "And I will not allow you to remain under the thrall of the Star Forge! I will MAKE you see that I am right!"
"In your dreams!" she snarled, lunging at me with her lightsaber... I noticed her arm had healed itself, likely the Star Forge's doing.
"If needs be, yes." I said coldly, blocking her, and resuming the duel. She fought with reckless abandon, backing me towards the sealed door... I had to use the Force to accelerate my movements, to keep up with her onslaught. Eventually, inevitably, I disarmed her and brought her to her knees.
"No, this is not possible!" she cried, "You have rejected the dark side! How can you still stand against me? Why can't I defeat you?"
"I am still a Sith Master, Bastila. You are merely an apprentice." I said quietly, "Malak was a fool to send you to face me. A fool and a coward."
"Yes, I see you speak the truth." she whispered, "I am no match for you. Please, for the sake of what we once shared, do not make me suffer. End my life quickly. There is no other way."
"No. I couldn't kill you, even with this mask to block out our bond." I said flatly, deactivating my lightsaber, "I still love you, Sister."
She looked up at me, stunned by this admission, "You... love me?" she laughed weakly, "You said it once before, but I never paid much heed to its true meaning. I had similar feelings for you - love may be a strong word for it, but... I did care for you." she sighed, "Malak knew how I felt. Any part of the light that was within me would be extinguished when I killed you. But what good is love? It cannot save me from the sea of blackness I am drowning in. I have betrayed everything I ever believed in! How can I atone for that?"
"Love conquers all." I said quietly.
She shot me a glare, "Try telling Malak that." she suggested coldly, throwing the remark from the vision I had confided in her right back in my face.
"I will." I snapped, angrily.
"But you cannot trust me." she said quietly, "How do you know I wouldn't turn on you when you faced Darth Malak? How do you know the dark side wouldn't make me betray you again?"
I clipped my lightsaber to my belt, and slowly reached up to remove my mask, letting it fall with a metallic clatter to the floor at my feet. "I can trust you, Bastila..." I smiled faintly, "And you won't hurt me."
She slowly picked herself up to her feet, "You play a dangerous game, Revan. Are you certain you wish to take this risk?" she asked, "I could end your life and gain Malak's favour with a single stroke of my lightsaber."
"You could... but you won't." I said quietly, holding my hands out to the sides in a gesture of surrender.
She eyes me critically for a moment, before she spoke, "You are brave... and some would say foolish." she said coldly, "But you are also right. The dark side has not wholly consumed me. I cannot raise my blade against you."
I smiled, as she put her lightsaber back onto her belt, "Stay here, sister." I said quietly, "Use your Battle Meditation to help beat the crap out of Malak's minions." I smirked, "I'll go beat the crap out of Malak."
She smiled, "Yes, that would be for the best." she said, nodding, "You don't need me to defeat Malak, anyway... but you have to hurry. Once I turn the battle in the Republic's favour we won't have much time to escape the Star Forge before it is destroyed. Good luck... and may the Force be with you."
I turned and left, as she resumed her Battle Meditation. I could feel the Force urging me onwards, to face Malak... I knew Bastila was on our side, now, even if I hadn't already trusted her.
x x x
I stepped out onto the observation deck, where I knew Malak would be waiting for me. I saw him standing in the centre of the deck, watching the space-battle outside. The view was quite spectacular, even though I was familiar with space-battles in general... the Star Forge fighters and capital ships dominated the scene, dwarfing the smaller Republic fleet. Yet, some Republic fighters were breaking through the defences of the Sith fleet, in spite of the odds against them.
Malak seemed not to entirely comprehend how the Sith fleet could be losing space to the Republic as they were. But when he sensed me, realisation hit him - he suddenly understood what I must have done. He turned to face me, even as I continued to watch the fight outside.
"Well done, Revan." he said calmly. I didn't take my eyes off the battle, "I was certain the defences of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see you are stronger than I thought; stronger than you ever were during your reign as the Dark Lord. I did not think that was possible."
"Nothing's impossible, Malak." I smiled faintly, still not turning to face him, "Surely you know that?"
He nodded, and spared a glance for the battle I was watching, "What do you find so fascinating out there? I never understood it."
"I see every life in that battle... it's like reading a story of emotion, pain, fear... death." I said calmly.
The faint glitter in his eyes made me feel he would have smiled if he could... albeit a distant, sad smile.
"If we fight, you won't win, Malak." I said quietly.
He snorted, "Once you were stronger than me, Revan. But as your apprentice I surpassed you. The Master must always be stronger than the apprentice... that was why I betrayed you."
I finally deigned to look at him, "You don't seriously think that, do you?" I laughed, "You betrayed me from afar, because you were afraid to face me, Malak!"
"No!" he snarled, "I was prepared to face you, Revan. But fate presented me with a better option. I saw my opportunity and seized it. The trap set by the Jedi only hastened my decision. If they had not attacked I would have challenged you for mastery of the Sith soon enough."
"And if it weren't for the Jedi, when would you have stabbed me in the back, Malak? As I slept?!" I demanded.
I had hit a nerve with that one, "I had planned on challenging you to a duel. I had planned it for weeks before the Jedi attack. But if you want me to stab you in the back that badly, I happily could!"
My eyes narrowed, as I watched him, "Try it." I hissed, "Just try it."
He drew his lightsaber and attacked me. I drew my own lightsaber, and the duel began. I had thought I was ready for this fight, but... he had grown much more powerful in the last year. I had got a taste of that power when I duelled him on the Leviathan, but nowhere near the full effect. I thought I had made up for my weakness then, but... I was barely blocking his attacks.
He backed me across the room, towards the edge of the platform. It wasn't the same generator at the bottom of that shaft, but it could have the same pyrotechnic effect. I used the Force to push him back, and leapt up onto a higher walkway above the main platform. I wasn't sure I could defeat him, now... he had beaten me on the Leviathan, and I didn't want to die today. So I hid, instead. He tried to chase me, up to the platform, but I evaded him, running down to hide underneath the upper walkway he now stood on.
"Are you afraid to face me, Revan?" he asked, his voice echoing around the room. I had been exhausted merely by that brief clash of our lightsabers, but now I was recovering my energy through the regeneration the customised robes afforded me. I didn't know how to fight him, though. "Where are you hiding?"
He was standing directly above me, now. I sent a psychic wave of fear at him, which froze him long enough for me to push my lightsaber up through the walkway he stood on, almost cutting his foot in half lengthways, before he could move.
He yelled in pain, and limped down the walkway to where I stood. I waited, ready to fight... but he didn't attack me. "It takes more than brute force to win a war, Malak." I said, warily, "Knowing when to retreat and how to fight dirty, that is also essential."
"And you certainly know how to run away and stab a person in the back, Revan." he growled.
"That was your foot." I protested.
He chuckled, "You continue to amaze me, Revan. If only you had been the one to uncover the true power of the Star Forge you might have become truly invincible. But you were a fool. All you saw was an enormous factory, all you ever imagined was an infinite fleet rolling forth to crush the Republic. You were blind, Revan - blind and stupid! The Star Forge is more than just a space station. In some ways, it is like a living creature. It hungers. And it can feed on the dark side that is within all of us!"
My eyes lost focus slightly, as I stared at him, "If I'd seen it as a sentient entity, I wouldn't have trusted it." I said quietly - I was looking through the Force at the Star Forge... he was right, it was alive, "And in some way it knew that... you, on the other hand, are even more of a fool to serve the beast's bidding."
He snorted, "Look around you, Revan." he crowed, indicating glass tubes which contained bodies... barely living bodies, "See the bodies? You should recognize them from the Academy. These are Jedi who fell when I attacked Dantooine. For all intents and purposes dead, except for one difference: I have not let them become one with the Force. Instead I have brought them here. The Star Forge corrupts what remains of their power and transfers the dark taint to me!"
I stared in horror as he drained the Force from the nearest of the Jedi to heal his wounded foot. It wasn't like draining life-energy - that's not necessarily fatal, and it allows the victim to join the Force if is it. This was... this was sucking out their souls. It was disgusting. I looked away, unable to bear looking at him.
Malak misinterpreted my revulsion, assuming I was concerned for my own survival, "You cannot beat me, Revan. Not here on the Star Forge. Not when I can draw upon the power of all these Jedi!" he taunted, "And once you are beaten I will do the same to you. You will be trapped in a terrible existence between life and death, your power feeding me as I conquer the galaxy!"
I stared at him, now terrified at that thought, "You vile demented monster! You... you Rakghoul!" I snarled, throwing him away from me with the Force, so he went crashing into the nearest wall. I ran across the room to the nearest undead Jedi, and twisted the machinery with the Force, with the will of my mind and desire to release this helpless victim. The glass broke, and I felt the Jedi join the Force.
I then felt electricity searing through my body. Force lightening. Blinding agony. I fell to my knees, and looked up over my shoulder to see Malak looming over me. "How can you do that to them?" I asked quietly.
He blinked, surprised, not seeing the problem I saw in it. "What do you mean?"
I turned so I was sitting, leaning back slightly with my hands on the floor behind me to support me... standing could be interpreted as an attempt to resume the fight, and I didn't want to do that yet. "How can you destroy them like that? Murder and torture I understand, but to deny someone the right to join the Force... that is something I cannot comprehend doing."
"You never truly understood the essence of the dark side, Revan." he said, bemused, "Those who cannot defend themselves deserve whatever they get."
"No one deserves that." I hissed.
"Why did you call me a...?" he wasn't sure exactly what I had called him, I could tell.
"A Rakghoul." I said coldly, "Rakghouls are disgusting creatures found only in the lowest levels of Taris... no doubt some survived your pointless bombardment... unfortunately they are resilient beasts. They spread a venom that turns sentients into Rakghouls... and Rakghouls have no soul, no essence in the Force... to do that to someone, you are on that level."
He snorted, "I still have a soul."
"You should act like it, then." I snarled.
He shook his head, and took a step towards me. I quickly picked myself up to my feet, and backed away from him. "What's the matter, Revan? Scared?"
I sneered at him, and threw him back with the Force, before running to the nearest undead Jedi prisoner, and breaking the machine holding him, as well. I felt him join the Force, and turned to see Malak racing to stop me. I threw him back again, and repeated this exercise until all the Jedi prisoners were free and dead.
Malak finally caught up with me, as I felt the last Jedi prisoner join the Force... and I got another dose of Force lightening for my trouble. I screamed in pain, but managed to stay standing. I turned to face Malak, glaring viciously, "That bloody hurt!" I yelled.
"It was supposed to." he said coldly.
The Star Forge shook with the first attack of the Republic fleet... and I felt wild screams of rage and pain, through the Force, from the station itself. Malak ignited his lightsaber again, and I drew my own lightsabers as well. This was it. I couldn't afford to stall or play games anymore.
'Revan...' Bastila's voice cut clear as crystal through my mind, 'The Republic fleet is bombarding the Star Forge. We're running out of time.'
'I can't fight him alone. Help me!' I replied to her.
And almost immediately I felt the Force flow around me, light and dark, love and hate, all flowing through the single-minded desire to end this quickly and in my favour. I attacked first, moving with unnatural speed, my two lightsabers a mere blur as I swung at him. He managed to dodge and block me very well, but with Battle Meditation on my side I could sense his confidence fading. As I beat him back, he tried to throw me away from him with the Force, but it failed. My green lightsaber got past his defence, and ran through his stomach.
I immediately deactivated my lightsabers and clipped them hastily to my belt, as he dropped his own weapon and fell to his knees. I sensed his injury through the Force, and said quietly, "This wound is mortal... you will be dead within minutes."
"Im... impossible." he coughed, "I... I cannot be beaten. I am the Dark Lord of the Sith."
"So am I, Malak." I said quietly, kneeling in front of him, "You are much stronger than you were when you were my apprentice... but I am still the Master."
"Yes... I cannot deny it any longer." he answered, his breathing becoming more laboured, "You are the one who deserves... who deserves to be the Dark Lord." he stopped talking to cough, again... I wondered how coughing up blood would effect his implants, because that's the type of cough it sounded like.
"Malak... the Star Forge is dying." I said quietly, "Can you hear it?" the screams in my mind made it difficult to think, right now.
"Yes... what... what have you done?" he asked.
"It was using us, Malak." I said quietly, "The Star Forge is a sentient entity, how could you possibly trust it?"
"It... it offered me everything." he answered weakly.
"And what is it you truly want?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment, barely able to breathe it seemed, before he said, "You."
I blinked a few times, "Then why did you try to kill me?"
He looked away from me, "It wanted me to... I couldn't take over the galaxy if I served you."
"You gullible trusting moron." I laughed weakly, "Malak... it's not too late. I could heal you, and the Jedi wouldn't refuse to help us."
He shook his head, which seemed to trigger another coughing fit. "The Jedi cannot help me now. Nor would I want them to."
"And what do you want?" I asked warily, "I could still heal you." I reached out through the Force, to try to heal his wound, but he blocked me with what little strength he had left in the Force.
"I am dying, Revan." he said, barely a whisper. I took his hand, wishing I could undo the damage I had done... this mortal wound, his jaw, his soul... all of it. "It is my time. And so it ends as I somehow always knew it must: in darkness."
I felt him join the Force, and I caught him as his body fell towards me. His eyes remained open, unfocused... the golden gleam of the dark side faded, leaving the ice blue of his natural eye colour. I lowered his body to the floor gently, even though I knew he was dead. I closed his eyes, and stood up sharply.
The Star Forge shook again.
I wiped the tears from my eyes, and turned and ran for the elevator to the docking level. 'Bastila, I'm on my way back to the Hawk, now.' I called through our bond.
'I'm sorry, Revan.' she replied, 'I feel your pain... we'll be waiting for you.'
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