First off, thanks to Prisoner 24601 for her review and for beta reading this chapter. My thanks to you.
Part 1 – Stranger in a Strange Land
Chapter 1
The two men were pleased with their work.
"With the cut from this, we can buy ourself a quiet break." Plat stated and leaned back flashing a toothy smile at his friend.
Shaw, who was far less optimistic grimaced. "If the company lets us." he muttered and his friend shrugged.
They both had the look of men who were used to fights that involved their fists as much as weapons. There was a certain brutal look about them as they sat in their seats. Both were of indeterminable age with the usual collection of scars, tattoos and tanned skin that was common amongst bounty hunters and smugglers. Not that they were either of these, or rather they were bounty hunters and smugglers for the Republic which made them legal. They wore the uniform of Galcorp, the organisation that did for the Republic, what Czerka did for the Sith. Although officially neutral, the head of Galcorp had made it very clear that he had a firm support for the Republic. There were many however who believed this patriotism was more inspired by money than dedication to the cause. As the largest corporation to support the Republic war effort, the company was allowed to get away with small acts of banditry and smuggling, provided it did not affect the Republic. This was unfortunately used sometimes as an excuse to become freelance privateers, under the protection of the Republic. On the whole, the field members of the company were law abiding people, if only because it was not worth the hassle. The ship these two me were flying was a deceptive engine, part fighter, part transport and part cargo ship, it was equipped to deal with all such situations. The two men were the only crew but their arrangement served them well enough, they had machines to unload cargo and man the defences.
"We are bringing them the normal cargo plus the Czerka power cells we captured." He said and the other man turned to him.
"And remember we are landing on Coruscant, not some deserted spaceport, if they learn we have pirated Czerka goods, we are done for."
"How are they going to know?" Plat asked airily and the man growled.
"If you let it out like before then you could do it at the wrong moment."
"Calm down Shaw. Anyway, we are coming up on Coruscant now. Just an hour or two," he said and the other man grunted.
"And we take an eight percent cut," he stated, Shaw's friend stared at him."
"Our agreement says twelve" Plat argued and the captain waved his protests away.
"Shut up, I know what I am doing. This run is twice as profitable, so we are really getting sixteen percent of normal, and we look good to them. Look all loyal and stuff," He said like he held the revelation of all knowledge.
"You have a sharp mind captain." His friend said and Shaw glanced at him briefly.
"That is why I am captain Plat and not-" He began but suddenly the ship shook and groaned like it was being pressured by an invisible giant hand. The sensors and instruments screeched as the ship rocked and bounced.
"We're under attack!" Shaw shouted but could do nothing but hope the attacker stopped. His last reading, pressure blanked and went out and the captain knew his ship was nearly breaking up.
He reached for the radio switch to destroy the cargo, standard issue on such ships to prevent evidence or loot being captured. As he reached for it, the shaking stopped. Shaw fell back and then clawed his way upright as he heard a crash and a bang from the rear of his ship. He half expected to see enemy ships firing and moving in for the kill but there was only empty space. He slapped Plat in the face to wake him up and stood in a daze. Plat looked around and frowned.
"What the hell was that?" He asked and his captain shrugged but drew a pistol from his side and checked it was charged.
"I don't know Plat." He said and held his gun up as he walked forward.
"Captain?" Plat asked but Shaw waved his voice down.
"I heard a crash before. I'm not taking any chances." He said and Plat nodded as he drew his own weapon.
"Like that time we found the Czerka fool in the hold?" He asked and the captain nodded.
They crept forward out of the bridge and down the passage. The ship did not seem badly damaged and this amazed Shaw, he was sure he was either under attack or facing certain destruction. When no enemy had appeared he had thought it had to be some sort of gravity field. A freak of nature but as he crept forward, he saw this was not true.
There was a figure in the gloom, leaning with one hand on the tunnel to support itself. The ship was shaped like a bone in a way, with two wide triangular sections divided by a long narrow section. The impact had made the passageway between bridge and hold hazy with dust and smoke. Shaw waved his friend's gun down and raised his own, safely out of danger but easy to aim if needed. Plat had a covering position behind him.
"Who's there? Speak." He ordered with more certainty than he felt.
The figure made no sign but then, very slowly fell forwards. It collapsed to its knees and looked to be about to fall more as Shaw ran forward. He set his weapon to stun and kept it levelled at the figure.
When he could get a clear view at the shape, about six foot away, he frowned. It was a woman, a tall and attractive woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore a black robe in the cut that suggested a Jedi but appeared to have no weapons. Her head was cut by a vicious blow and was bruised across the right temple. Her left leg had a nasty circular burn mark that looked like it was driven right through the limb. She looked as though she had been in a violent battle as she looked dirtied and had dried blood smeared across her clothes. She stared sightlessly at Shaw and spoke in a pleasant voice that had nothing to do with the current situation.
"Xiden." She said calmly and then fell face first to the deck. Shaw finally recovered from his surprise and edged forward as though the fallen figure would suddenly spring to attack him. He cautiously prodded the prone form with his boot, if it was a Jedi, he wanted to be certain she was unconscious. It was clear that she was out of it. Plat came forward, gun low but ready as Shaw knelt by the women. He felt for a pulse but almost gave up. Finally he felt a weak throb at her throat and saw her breath was coming slowly and calmly. He eyes were closed and she made no movement as he rolled her over.
"Is she dead Shaw?" Plat asked and the man shook his head.
"Not dead, but out of it. Put the gun down, she is not going anywhere." He said and his friend obeyed and holstered the firearm and knelt beside her.
"She's pretty." He said and the other man sniffed.
"If non-humans are your type, sure." He said and the other man frowned.
"Non-human, she looks normal to me." He said and the other man sighed.
"Look at her properly Plat. Look at the ears for a start and the face."
Plat looked closer and saw that her ears were extended and pointed by about two thirds of an inch. He looked at her face and saw it was more delicate and longer than a normal human face.
"Who is she, where did she come from?" Plat asked and Shaw shrugged.
"We did a full scan of the ship before we left Corellia, nothing living on board. We haven't stopped and she doesn't look like the type to stowaway. Not if she just collapses after a bit of turbulence."
"She looks like a Jedi." Plat said and the other man nodded.
"Where's her lightsaber?" He asked in reply.
"Look at that burn on her leg. It was caused by one of them." Plat insisted and Shaw shook his head.
"Could have been anything. Virbro sword maybe."
"They cut, this is straight through."
"That is irrelevant, it does not make her one."
"Well how did she get on board?" Plat asked.
Shaw thought for a moment, looking down at the stranger. "It is no coincidence that we heard that bang the moment she turns up. Something happened and I do not want to speculate." He said and Plat nodded.
"What can we do now? If they find her on board, it will cause trouble, mark my words. What if they know she is on this ship and we turn up without her on board?" He asked and Shaw shrugged.
"Just push her out the airlock I reckon. Take the consequences then and forget her if not. I do not need mysteries on my ship, not after what I have been through to get it."
Plat looked appalled as he looked at the helpless figure. "No, Shaw, we can't do that." He said and his friend frowned.
"Getting soft on me Plat? You had no hesitation when you pushed those men out of the airlock over Tatooine. One at a time so they would know their fate I recall."
"They were mercenaries. They had tried to kill us. She has done nothing to us." He said stubbornly.
"All over a girl Plat? You can get them for five credits in any bar. Besides, she banged up my ship, that's good enough for me." He said and moved forward. Plat stepped forward.
"No Shaw, I will not do this."
"I am the captain and my decision stands." He snapped. "What would you do anyway Plat?"
"When we get to Coruscant, drop her off at the port. Say we picked up a wounded Jedi at a station and brought her along. Do it anonymously and then get out of there. Then we unload the cargo and take a run out to the outer rim."
Shaw sighed finally and shrugged. "Fine, whatever. If it fails, I warn you I will not be best pleased."
Plat nodded and knelt to look at the wounds. The women was unconscious but this could not have been caused by the injuries which were relatively minor. He grimaced, it was not going to be as easy as he had thought to get her off undetected and handed over. He reflected, that the women was lucky that they were not the sort of people who would kill or enslave her. He shrugged and followed his captain back to the bridge. The ship was holding together and he was sure he could get the craft into port.
As they worked feverishly to get power back, the women lay, unmoving and alone.
No matter how many times he saw it, Carth was amazed by Coruscant. It was the hub of the galaxy in more ways than one. The capital of the Republic and among the most populated in the entire galaxy. It was a city that covered the entire planet, only a few special parts were not covered with buildings. It was a three dimensional world with layers of buildings built upon by more and more buildings until it was like an artificial mountain range. The launch headed on from the heavy cruiser Relentless, the only ship of the fleet to accompany them so far into the core worlds. All around Coruscant were battleships and stations of the Capital Defence Fleet, a place where aristocratic children were sent to train without the threat of being shot at in a real battle. Carth tried to remember the last time he was here, he figured that it was at the end of the Mandalorian Wars. He turned to Mission who was wide eyed with shock at the sight.
"A damn sight grander than Taris eh Mission?" He said teasingly and she nodded, still in awe of what was before her.
"I never imagined it could be so big." She breathed; "it's like Taris should be."
"I wouldn't go that far; in many places it isn't any better that the crime and corruption of Taris."
Mission looked out but turned back to the commander; "what do you think Carth?"
"It is impressive no matter how many times I see it." He said and then went to sit back down.
Bastila watched him from across the small ship but made no move. She knew how much Revan had cared for him and he had returned it. He was taking the loss hard and the younger Jedi wondered if he could ever be the man he had once been. Perhaps the only thing that kept him alive was the thought of his son returning to him but that was unlikely. Carth caught her eye but looked away as soon as he had. The look of loss on his face could not be hidden. There was a movement beside her and Mission came to sit beside the Jedi. The two rarely spoke or had much contact, the Twi'lek considered the Jedi to be too arrogant and cold whilst Bastila considered her too immature. Now however, the younger alien sat next to Bastila as though she wanted to talk.
"Hey, Bastila, can we talk?" she asked earnestly and the Jedi nodded, slightly surprised. The Twi'lek usually avoided her as a matter of course; now it seemed she wanted to talk. Bastila had always thought it was her duty to her the girl, even if that was not what she wanted.
"Of course Mission, I am here to help." She said and the girl looked slightly nervous of something.
"I am worried about Carth." She said and the Jedi looked at her.
"Carth must live his own life. He will recover eventually." She said, rather harsher than she had meant. The younger girl's face fell slightly and Bastila regretted her sharpness.
"I know Bastila. What's going to happen to us now? To me I mean, I mean Revan's dead, what am I to do now? What can I do?" She asked and the Jedi nodded.
"To tell you the truth Mission, I do not know. I am a Jedi but can I go back? Can I just fall back into the ranks of the order after all of this, after what I did." She said the last words sadly.
"If you are forgiven then I don't see why not. Look at Juhani. You can go back and be a Jedi, it's not like I have much I can do."
"Perhaps. I must say that it was so liberating, being relied on and doing something so important. I do not know if it can be the same again, I am not the same person who left aboard the Endar Spire what seems like years ago." She said these words, forgetting that Mission was next to her. She suddenly jerked out of the daze and looked contrite. "I am sorry to bother you with this. I should not be saying this." She said and her friend shrugged. "As for you Mission, what do you want to do?"
"If it is what you feel, do not lie about it." She said but hurried on before she got a response. "I suppose I have changed as well."
"We have been through a lot Mission. You can stay with us, I assume they will want us to stay in the same building until it is time for us to return to duty."
"Thanks. I suppose that Zaalbar will want to return to Kashyyyk now that his life bond is over. I could go with him, help in case the slavers return. It's either that or go back to being a thief, I don't want that, not now anyway."
"That would indeed be a worthy cause Mission. I wish you well and if you need anything you need only ask."
"I reckon it is for the best. There is nothing else I can really do now except join the military or become a smuggler. Neither really appeals to me. Zaalbar told me he wants it like that and I agree."
"Do you want to stay until we return to service?" Bastila asked and the girl finally nodded.
"Only two weeks, that is good with me."
"You have certainly changed since we first met on Taris. You have matured far beyond your age." The Jedi said and the Twi'lek looked like protesting but held herself when she saw it was a genuine compliment.
"Thanks Bastila; I suppose it has been a worth while for me."
"I think that in time you will grow up and become a much wiser individual" the Jedi said piously.
Mission sighed, she had gone for five minutes without a lecture, it was time. "Whatever you say Bastila;" she said, trying to get away.
The Jedi frowned; "I am pleased to have known you Mission Vao; you have changed much."
"And you aren't as stuck up as you-" She began in reply as she stood up. She suddenly slipped, even though the ship was stable but landed at a crouch. She glared at the Jedi who seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.
"Oh dear Mission, you must learn to control yourself better. You never will amount to anything if you fall over yourself."
"That was not funny. This time I know it was deliberate." She said and the other passengers looked at the confrontation. The Twi'lek blushed and flashed a frown at Bastila. "You have not heard the last of this." She said and the older Jedi smiled.
"I am sure;" she said and sat back.
The ship finally settled down with a hiss of gas. The passengers, crew of the Hawk along with the Jedi and navy officers slowly rose to their feet and headed to the docking ramp. As they exited the ship, Admiral Dodonna took aside Bastila and Carth. The two saluted and she smiled.
"You have two weeks leave but be ready if anything should happen. Commander Onasi, you will report in four days time to the command centre to present your view of the battle and receive further instructions. You, Jedi Bastila, have been asked to attend. I have no doubt the Jedi Council will wish to speak to you. I have a speeder waiting to take you to your accommodation. I believe it is large enough for you all but I guess that you will come and go."
"That will be perfect Admiral, thank you." Carth said and Dodonna nodded.
"Be off then," she said and strode back towards her waiting escort.
Bastila nodded to Carth and pulled him away. "Mission and Zaalbar have decided to go back to Kashyyyk in a few weeks time. I told them it was the right thing to do."
"I think it is as well. Not much else to do here. What about the droids? That HK droid could be dangerous now he it has no master."
"I do not know if you have noticed but it has not deactivated itself on the death of its master. I cannot think why as she was the builder."
"Maybe now the builder is dead, it is not constrained by this anymore." The soldier suggested and she shrugged.
"Perhaps. We should keep an eye on it though."
The eight survivors of the Hawk's crew passed through an endless series of white coloured passages and tunnels. The whole landing complex was nearly a score of miles across and it was fortunate that they had only to walk for a few hundred yards before they discovered their transport. The skies of the capital were filled with the constant flight of innumerable craft over them. The small transport before them was piloted by a man sized droid with silvery-white plating and a smaller head than what befitted its body. It raised a hand in greeting as the crew approached.
"Greetings, I am G842, protocol droid and currently attached to your service, master." It stated to Carth who nodded.
"Very well, once we are on board, drive on." He said and the droid nodded an affirmation and began the lift off as the last of the crew member's scrambled aboard.
As the ship lifted off and began its progress towards the administrative heart of the Republic, Carth turned to the grim and uncompromising form of the assassin droid that had ever been ready to fight and destroy.
"HK-47, don't you normally shut down when your present master is killed?" he asked and the droid turned it's red gaze on him. It took all of his self control not for him to turn away from the mechanical but watchful gaze.
"Statement: Revan was my creator. Now she is gone, I am no longer bound by this programming. This was built into my circuits." The mechanical voice intoned.
"So what happens now?" Carth asked and the droid considered.
"Answer: Since I am no longer owned, I shall be obliged to find a new master. Unless you would wish that honour?" It stated and Carth considered. He looked at the droid and considered. He would prefer to have it by his side than roaming freely around Coruscant.
"You do understand that I intend to sell you on when the opportunity arises. If I am to return to the navy, I will have no use of an assassin droid."
"Query: Does that signify that you desire my service? Do you wish me to kill something?" It asked, Carth again wondered how a machine could sound so happy. The droid had more emotion than many people he knew.
"Yes, until I find an owner that can appreciate you talents, you stay with me. But no killing until I say, understood."
"Supplication: Yes master, of course master." It stated, sounding hurt.
Bastila looked over at him shocked. "Are you serious? Becoming the controller of this homicidal machine?" She asked and HK-47 cut in.
"Argument" I have always been loyal meatbag. One word from the master and I will-" Carth interjected.
"Enough. You are not to threaten anybody unless I say so. Understand?" Carth said, feeling the usual mixture of amusement, frustration and worry he had seen in Revan when she had owned the machine.
"Objection: you would reduce me to the level of a subservient tin can?" It asked.
"I thought you were all ready." Mission put in and the droid turned.
"Command: The blue meatbag will be silent." It stated.
"Look, HK-47 has done right by us and it has decided to stay with us until I can find a suitable place for it. The military is always looking for new ways to remove or scout out the enemy."
"Alright, it has been trustworthy so far." Bastila said reluctantly and Carth leaned back, hoping he had done the right thing.
The enclosed vehicle finally began to slow down as it neared a set of tall towers which were presumably guest accommodations. In the distance, the great shapes of the Jedi Temple and the Senate could be seen. On a wide docking platform; about halfway up the massive building the craft was finally set down and the passengers disembarked. The droid moved with them and showed them to an elevator.
"Your room is the second highest level. Room two."
"Thank you." Carth said and walked into the elevator and activated it. The machine slid up the wall of the great tower. At the dizziest height of the building, the machine finally stopped and the door slid open. Finding the door, the eight crew members entered.
The room that they were in was a huge apartment, semi circular in shape and containing several more sleeping rooms than would ever be necessary for the eight companions. Carth entered and looked around before walking through each room. The commander came back to the main room.
"I think this will do us. What about you Bastila? And Jolee and Juhani? You heading back to the temple?" He asked..
"The longer I can avoid the place, the better. I am not really here by choice." Jolee said and Bastila looked at him.
"You are not going to rejoin the order?"
"And what incentive do I have for that hmm?" He said pointedly and Bastila gabbled an inadequate answer.
"It is your duty to return." It was spoken as though the Jedi knew this particular battle was lost.
"Don't lecture me about duty Bastila. I have managed quite well by myself for twenty years alone. I am only staying here for a while and then I might go back to Kashyyyk for a while."
"And what then?" Juhani asked and he shrugged.
"Do what I have wanted to do, wander the galaxy."
"We could still use you in the war." Bastila tried again and he waved it away.
"I dare say you could but I am through with fighting. I hoped after Exar Kun was beaten, I would never have to fight again. I made it so far so thank you, but no."
"What about you Juhani?" Carth asked as the non-Jedi looked around the room.
"I am going to go back to the Order. When you have left Carth, I will go and see what I can do there."
Carth nodded and looked on to the hulking figure of Canderous Ordo, a man who he had never fully trusted, perhaps with good reason.
"And you Mandalorian?" He asked and the man snorted.
"I was an enemy of the Republic, in case you have forgotten. I am going to leave as soon as I am able and see what there is to do around the galaxy."
"More mercenary work?" Carth asked and the man shrugged.
"Watch it fly-boy. I respected Revan because she was a fighter, not a normal Jedi but one who knew what war was. You and all your Republic are such emotional fools. Revan knew that a war cannot be won without blood and sacrifice. Now she is dead, like so many, there is nothing to keep me in the Republic. Perhaps I will go and find what is left of my people."
Carth nodded, despite his anger at his words. "You do what you want Mandalorian. When do you want to leave? Now, tomorrow?" He asked and the older man chuckled.
"Keen to be rid of me are you? I'll leave when I am ready. I got some friends here but I want my cut today." He said.
"What cut?" Carth said.
"You know what I mean soldier boy. Revan got together a considerable sum of credits while we were chasing shadows. I feel that I am entitled to at least a seventh of it."
"That money was never intended to be dolled out like a charity." Carth snapped but the bigger man did not seem fazed.
"No, all kept by you. What use have you all got for money? The Jedi don't use much, you go back to your little fleet and the kid and the Wookiee go back to Kashyyyk. I want something before you kick me out of this little band of brothers." He said, his voice becoming more and more cutting as he went on.
"Fine, I'll give you your fee. I hope you choke on it." He snapped and turned away.
Bastila had watched the conversation and now stopped Carth when he was out of sight.
"Carth, there was no call for that. You might not like him or the fact that he has helped us but he deserves something. If money is what guides him than give it to him and you never need see him again. Or do you want a blood feud with a Mandalorian champion?" She asked and his head bowed.
"I'm sorry Bastila. It is just difficult" he held up his hand "never mind." He said and pushed past her into the main area. The Jedi thought of following but walked out to see the smiling warrior looking at her.
"About time somebody gave the flyboy a good thrashing. So is out gallant captain going to pay me?" He asked and Bastila nodded.
"We give you fifteen thousand credits and all the spare gear we don't need. You go whenever you want." She said and he nodded.
"Good you made him see sense. I would hate to see him hurt and I am sure you wouldn't either would you?" he said and Bastila, who had been walking away rounded on him.
"What are you implying Mandalorian?" She asked, her accent stronger than normal.
"Hey, slow down princess." He said with a lazy smile. "What I would have meant is that you are his friend and you would not want him killed after what you have been through." He said although his eyes were saying something else.
Bastila pushed her hair back. "I apologise. I suppose I am a little on edge still."
"No problem princess. Unless of course there is something between you? Feeling guilty, princess?" He asked, Bastila turned and strode from the room, her fists clenched together.
Canderous chuckled, "At least Revan could take a joke." He said as he turned and laid his pack on a sofa, checking his weapons were intact.
Bastila walked out into the main area of the apartment, her face twisted in anger. She walked to the window and took deep breaths to calm herself.
"Are you alright Bastila?" Came the voice of the Cathar Jedi behind her and she turned and tried to smile away her irritation.
"That Mandalorian is really starting to get to me. I pay him off and all he can do is provoke me." She said and the alien Jedi sighed.
"And you fell for his bait. Remember Bastila, anger leads to the darkside. I know this and so do you. To him it was a joke most likely but to you or I it is far more."
Bastila sighed. "I know Juhani. You are right. Anyway, he is going soon."
"He has been a great help. He got us out of prison on Malak's ship. If not for him, we might never have escaped."
"Or left Taris." Bastila said quietly. "I am sorry Juhani, I am sometimes too brash and forward still. I hope that I might strike a balance between that and tolerance."
"In time we may Bastila." The other Jedi responded and then frowned as they heard a buzzing sound inside the apartment's communication room. They walked in as Carth activated the link.
"This is Commander Carth Onasi." He stated and the holo screen slowly activated to reveal the calm face of Master Aetius Perinard.
"Commander Onasi, good to see you have settled in. Is Jedi Bastila there?"
"I am here master." She said and walked into the viewing arc.
"Although it is your time to rest, we have a small task we would wish you to perform." He said calmly.
Bastila nodded but caution was evident in her voice. "What do you desire master?" She asked and the Jedi Master smiled slightly.
"It does not involve any danger I can assure you. An injured Jedi was presented anonymously to the port officials of the west civilian dock. At least they say it is a Jedi but they have no further proof. I want you to go down there and bring them back to the Jedi Temple. Since you have friends who have not been to this world before, they might appreciate the tour."
"I will go and investigate master." Bastila stated and Aetius nodded.
"May the force be with you." He said and the image faded.
"We only just arrived, now we are doing pickup runs? Why not send a medical team down there?" Carth asked.
"We need to see if it really is a Jedi or not or if they are a threat. Besides, he is right, there is not much to do around here as it is."
"This is going to be some holiday." The soldier muttered and Bastila ignored him.
"You do not have to come Carth. I am sure Mission will come. Zaalbar wants to get some rest."
"I'm coming and that is final." Carth said and Bastila shrugged and went to ask the alien duo. Carth sighed and strapped a small pistol by his side. He stared out over the city and he once again thought of Revan on the Star Forge and he sighed in frustration of the image of her dying was repeated over and over in his mind. He cursed himself again for not coming sooner to help her. He could see two images in her mind only; when she had returned from the Rakatan temple and he had told her of his love for her. He also saw her death, her body, soon to be nothing, not even smoke. He felt a hand on his shoulder and whirled around, his hand reaching for his gun but then he saw who it was.
"Jeez Carth, no need to shoot me. I was just saying that we are going." Mission said a little in annoyance but with an undertone of fear.
"I'm sorry Mission, I was just thinking."
"No reason to shoot the messenger. Like I did not know what you were thinking." She muttered and walked away. Carth sighed and walked tiredly towards the door, perhaps he was just not fit to be a soldier anymore. After all he had been through, sometimes it was too much. He had begun his career as a patriotic soldier and he still was in a way. Now however, it was tempered by cynicism and experience. Then he had fought for revenge. Carth wondered what it had gained him and whether he was better for killing Saul Kareth. He decided he was not. Then he had fought against his own will to recover the Star Maps. He looked at his worn fighting clothes and wondered just how different a man he was than he had been ten years, five years or only one year ago. He wondered if he had anything left to fight for, his son was somewhere, whether he would see him again was merely a guess. He figured that a soldier needed something, anything to fight for otherwise there was no point. He shook himself out of his daze as Bastila stepped towards the controls of the speeder. Carth, perhaps remembering an oath he had made, never to let the Jedi drive a speeder again after that 'incident' on Taris, quickly walked forward. Jedi should not be allowed near the controls of vehicles, he resolved.
"Bastila, let me drive. You show Mission the sights." He said and the Jedi frowned as he hurriedly took the driver's seat.
"Sure, uh Mission, I'll show you around as we drive." She said and the blue Twi'lek flashed the soldier a grateful smile.
After a brief sightseeing adventure that Mission had tried to look attentive in, the speeder docked at the civilian port. Bastila seemed not to notice that her words had had such an effect and stepped out of the vehicle. She walked briskly across the flat platform towards the imposing shape of the customs and control office for the spaceport. It looked more like a fortress than anything else and indeed, its purpose was to ensure that all arrivals payed their proper dues. Bastila strode forward like she owned the platform until she came to the guard in front of the main doorway. The guard wore the uniform of Galcorp; the company that owned the platform, blue and red. The Jedi nodded imperiously to the man who looked at her warily.
"Can I help you?" He asked suspiciously.
"I have been sent by the Jedi Council to investigate a mysterious stranger who arrived this morning. They said it was possible that she was a Jedi." Bastila said and the man slowly nodded. He thought for a moment as Carth and Mission arrived and then nodded.
"Lieutenant sir, the Jedi are here." He called inside the building and looked back to the three. His gaze lingered on Mission before he deliberately made a show of looking away. Carth held the girl's arm out of sight so that she would not make an issue of this display.
After a half moment, a young Galcorp lieutenant from their military wing came into sight. Like Czerka, the company had its own private security and military force to protect its installations and trade routes. Although not officially recognised by the Republic military, they were nevertheless used often if they were the closest forces. The man wore the red and blue uniform; similar to the Republic outfit so they could be easily distinguished as friend or foe. The lieutenant was a fresh faced man who looked to be in charge of the facility he now exited.
"Greetings master Jedi." He said with enough sincerity not to cause a problem. It was clear that he was not pleased with the situation but his charter forced him into this situation. He flashed a look at Mission but made it a normal glance so that he could not be seen as disapproving. The young Twi'lek sighed, she had hoped that Coruscant would be better than Taris, she had been mistaken.
"Good day. I have come to see the patient." Bastila said in her most convincing tone. The man nodded cautiously.
"Of course master Jedi. If you will follow mw then I will take you to the medical wing of this facility." He said as though he was doing them an extravagant favour.
He turned and walked back through the doors of the customs office leaving the three companions to follow. The building was four stories and its look as a fortress was enhanced by the sight of a half dozen defence lasers on the roof. It was made of a white permacrete that seemed more than able to resist most weapons. Bastila walked through the door into an extravagant lobby which was a wide circular area with views of all four stories. There was a reception desk where an attentive representative sat. To the right was a long series of rooms on either side of a long passageway leading to an elevator at the end. The lieutenant motioned them to follow him to the left and the three adventurers followed him cautiously past the solidly locked doors of the armoury and equipment storage. Boarding the elevator, the four people took the machine to the top floor where they exited into a brighter lit tunnel. To the left and right was the docking control rooms where the Galcorp workers directed the flow of landing and departing traffic. Passing by the circular hole that looked down to the reception the Galcorp lieutenant showed them towards a white painted door which he opened and gestured them inside.
"Speak to Dr Elba, he will show you to the patient." The man said and then vanished again behind them.
Left inside the small ante-room, Mission finally broke the silence. "What have they got against us? I thought the Republic was different from the Sith." She said angrily and Carth shrugged.
"The Republic is different. Galcorp however has many of the same views as Czerka in the equal treatment of non-humans. They don't mind using them as workers but not higher up."
"And why isn't the Republic changing it?" The Twi'lek demanded and Carth sighed.
"It is a political matter. The Republic cannot force Galcorp to do anything." He said wearily. "Besides, there are three hundred and eighty seven board members of Galcorp. Would you hazard a guess at how many of them are not human?" He asked and she sighed.
"None."
"Exactly, what incentive is there for them to change?"
"Carth, we should be moving on." Bastila said and Mission ironically saluted her back.
"Of course my lord." She said and Bastila flashed her a look of irritation before she strode into the facility.
The room was longer than might otherwise have been thought possible by the outward appearance. There was a long and low room with beds in alcoves to either side and a door at the end of the room. The room was very well lit by windows looking out over the traffic of Coruscant. A young women of about twenty looked up from her desk and smiled cautiously.
"Can I help you? If this is about visits then you have to have made an appointment." She said and Carth stepped forward.
"We were sent here by the Jedi, Miss. We were told to talk to Doctor Elba about his patient." He said smoothly and the women nodded with a slight frown.
"Wait a moment while I get the doctor." She said and strode away until she came to a small door obscured by other patients. She swiftly entered a code and entered the room within. Bastila looked around the room and slowly walked around to the window and gazed out on the massive structures and endless stream of vehicles.
"What can I do for you this day?" Came a voice behind them. Bastila turned and inclined her head slightly.
"Doctor Elba?" She asked and the man nodded.
"Doctor Tarn Elba, master Jedi." He said and bowed slightly. He was an average sized man with a balding head and grey hair. He was evidently quite old as his hair and face suggested but he seemed sturdy and secure on his feet. He looked a pleasant enough man who had seen his fair share of the unexplained and the mysterious. He smiled to Carth and Mission with genuine feeling, putting the young Twi'lek slightly more at ease. The doctor wore a simple white coat with an unfamiliar symbol over the left side of his chest.
"Doctor Elba, we have come to have a look at the suspected Jedi that was delivered to you." Bastila said.
"Of course, of course. Come with me. I do not believe we have met." He said and Bastila nodded.
"I am Bastila Shan of the Jedi Order. This is Commander Carth Onasi and Mission Vao." She said and the man nodded.
"Glad to meet you both." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Shan was it?" He asked and then nodded when she confirmed. "We had a Shan in here just a week or so ago. She is suffering from a rare form of Tyrix Cancer." He said and Bastila looked at him.
"Was her name Helena?" She asked and the man nodded slowly.
"Yes, that was it. Helena Shan. She said that her daughter was a Jedi. I can see the resemblance now. I assume you are her daughter." He said kindly and the Jedi nodded.
"Is she still here?" She asked, quite forgetting her mission.
"No alas. This is just for those injured in space or who need isolation and quarantine. She was going to another facility in the main city. I can dig out the record if you wish." He said and she nodded quickly.
"I would like that doctor." She said quickly and he smiled.
"She spoke quite highly of you so she did. Unfortunately there is little time left for her." He said sadly and the Jedi frowned.
"Is there no cure?" She asked and he shook his head.
"There are ways to prevent it taking hold but not to cure it forever more is the pity. It is a rare disease that is alien in origin, hence the name. She might last ten years or one. It depends on what happens, the preventions are not proven to work every time." He said and sighed.
"But I suppose you will be wanting to see the mystery herself." He said and motioned them to follow him. On either side of them were people with injuries, some serious and some not. A few had their charts marked with the depressing news that they would not survive whilst some were just waiting to be cleared by the port authorities. As he walked, Doctor Elba spoke of the facility and its purpose.
"It was set up after the super freighter collision about fifteen years ago. There was nowhere to take them because they needed quarantine and so most of them died. This place was set up along with the other docks to be able to cope. You remember that incident?" He asked and Bastila shrugged, too young to remember such an event. Carth however nodded.
"I was in my second year at the academy. We helped clear up some of the mess. They say it was an accident."
"That depends on who you talk to commander." Elba retorted. "I think it was no coincidence that the largest shipment of Galcorp ore in a decade happened to blow up over Coruscant. They never found anything of course but I would not be surprised if a few people had their paws in that disaster." He said and strode onwards.
"So tell us about this patient." Bastila said, sensing the doctor's mind was drifting from the subject again.
"I digress, of course. She is quite a remarkable case, never seen anything like it before in my thirty five years as a doctor and I have seen a few strange things. She was dropped off here anonymously by a pair of men who claim they found her on their ship. That is the first puzzle, how did she get there and why did they drop her off? If they caused the injury then they would want to dispose of the evidence but they seemed genuinely puzzled."
"Perhaps it was a ploy so that they were not suspected. How else could this patient have got on board?" Carth asked reasonably and Elba shrugged.
"Those two were not the brightest men I have met. Their reasons would only be one dimensional, believe me." He said and Carth nodded.
"So, what about her?"
"That is the real mystery commander. Everything about her is slightly wrong. She was injured but not badly. A wound to the leg which is healing well and a scrape across the temple and forehead. Nothing that can account for her current condition." He held up his hand to stave off the inevitable question. "Her current condition is the most puzzling aspect. When you see her you will understand; she seems to be asleep but it is far deeper than anything I have ever seen. It is almost a coma but her mind is constantly active, unusually so even if she was asleep." He turned to look at them as he neared the large door opposite the entrance. "Her heart rate is ten beats, a minute." He emphasised the last words and the three looked at him and he nodded. "A tenth of the average resting pulse. Of course this varies between species, Twi'leks have a higher and Rodians have a lower for instance."
"So she is not human?" Bastila asked and the man nodded.
"Although on first glance, one would not know the difference. It is very subtle differences that set her apart. Her heart beat and breathing has not changed since she arrived. Not once in nearly six hours." He said in amazement and Carth looked at him.
"I thought that that was impossible." He said and the doctor shrugged.
"For you or me perhaps but evidently not for her. Even in a coma, these things change even rarely. Of course I have not seen her species before so I do not know if it is normal or not."
The doctor reached the door and entered his code and then waved his guests through the door as he closed it behind them.
Before the four was a door to left and right as well as one in front. The room was a sombre grey colour with no external light coming in from the outside. Elba showed them through the door on the right and into a small room with four beds. Only one was occupied and the figure did indeed appear to be sleeping. Carth walked through and then his heart lurched. He gasped slightly as his stomach turned and then he looked again and saw he had been wrong. Although she did bear a passing resemblance to Revan, on closer inspection she was indeed a different person. Just as she looked human from a distance, so had her face reminded him of his love for a half second. Elba nodded and walked over to her.
"I see you have not moved an inch." He said but the women seemed almost frozen in place. Her hands were folded over her stomach and the legs straightened out. Aside from the rise of her chest from the gentle breaths she was taking, she made no sign. Elba looked back to them.
"Nothing we can do can rouse her, we tried the normal things of course and then we tried sub conscious suggestions and mind impulses but she ignored or resisted them all. She is most certainly alive and thinking but in a self imposed exile you might say."
"Any idea when she might wake up?" Carth asked and Elba shrugged.
"It might be in an hour or a year. She seems not to need food or the like, like a hibernating creature. I cannot tell you. Unfortunately, she has to be moved on, we do not have the time or facilities to help her."
"Any ideas on who she is?" Mission asked. Bastila was staring at the figure with a glazed expression but nobody noticed.
"She had very little in terms of personal possessions on her." He said and opened a small box from beside the bed. He pulled out two objects, the first of which was a black pentagon, about an inch from corner to corner and about half that high. It had an unfamiliar symbol on the top. Elba pressed a small catch and it popped open like a hinged box. On the inside lid was a small picture of the women and on the flat bottom was four lines of unfamiliar characters. Elba shrugged.
"It is obviously something personal to be sure but I cannot guess what it is. A gift perhaps or a medal?" He mused.
"I have never seen these characters before." Carth said and looked at them but could not understand them.
"Me neither, I have a top quality translation machine but it cannot recognise anything. The other thing was this." He said and held up the second item. It was a long white tube with a tapered point at one end and a flat end at the other. The whole thing was about five inches long and had a curious ring in the middle. Carth shrugged.
"What is it?"
"I was hoping you might know commander." Elba said. "I cannot make out what it is for but I suppose it is just another mystery."
"What sort of robes are they?" Mission asked and the doctor looked down at the black garment the women wore. They seemed to change colour depending on the light; sometimes midnight blue, sometimes dark green, sometimes grey.
"I personally have not seen them before. The way it changes is like a camouflage suit but this is only doing dark colours. Leaving that aside, look at her face." Elba said and Carth leaned down to peer closer.
The face before him was undeniably beautiful and the slightly alien nature of the face and ears only added to this attraction. He frowned as he saw that her face was covered in a series of tiny, fine white lines across it.
"Lines?" he asked and the man nodded.
"Scars commander. I used a colour identifier to highlight them and there is no doubt that they are scars."
"From what?" Carth asked.
"Burns, electricity burns; most of the rest of her body has them as well. They were quite bad by the look of it, the sort that should not heal like they have."
"But if she can heal such wounds, should she not also be able to use it on her current wounds?"
"Exactly commander. They are almost impossible to distinguish unless you are very close. I almost missed them the first time." Elba admitted and Carth turned to Bastila who had not said a word.
"Are you alright Bastila?" He asked, concerned by the blank look on the younger women's face.
"There is something strange about her." Bastila said and Carth frowned.
"Something bad?" He asked and she eventually shook her head.
"No. I sense no evil in her. That is what is strange, everybody has some darkness in themselves but she has much less than normal."
"Is she a Jedi though?"
"I have never seen her but that means little. There are too many of us to memorise every face. She has the force about her though." She said and closed her eyes. "It surrounds her but there is something strange about it." She said and Carth nodded.
"Could she be a dark Jedi?" He asked and Bastila considered.
"I do not think so. While she has little darkness about her, she also has not the light to replace it. It is as though she is in the middle, neutral." She said as though she did not credit her words.
"Like Jolee Bindo?" Mission asked.
"No, not quite." She said mysteriously and walked forward. "I will try to look into her mind." She said and Carth placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I am not doubting your skills, but is that wise? I do not pretend to know how these things work but maybe we should let the council do that." He said and Bastila did not bridle at the advice.
"I know but I must know if she is a threat before we let her near the temple." She said resolutely. If she let the force be her eyes she could see the flow of energy about this women. It was as strong as her own and it was clear that she could use and did use her powers.
She knelt down beside the bed and looked at the unmoving figure. She concentrated and calmed herself and then gently moved a hand towards the immobile face of the patient. She tried to calm the women before her and assure her she meant not harm. There was no response from the mind of the woman she was trying to contact. It was as though she was indeed aware of Bastila, but not responding purposefully.
The young Jedi placed a hand on the woman's delicate forehead and had a half second of nothing but the touch of the smooth skin before she sensed something. Suddenly she was assailed by an image, more powerful than any vision. A hundred pictures flashed through her mind but the one that remained was the face of a man with red eyes and a cruel smile. Then the image vanished and she fell backward with a gasp. Mission caught her whilst Elba looked at the machines.
"No increase in anything master Jedi. Not even brain activity."
"Bastila, talk to me." Mission ordered and the Jedi shook her head and sat on the bed next to the patient's. The figure had not moved a muscle as Bastila looked at her two friends.
"I saw a vision, perhaps like I did with Revan. I saw dozens of images and then nothing. She is very much alive though." She said and Carth nodded.
"We should get her back to the Jedi Temple." He said to everyone in the room, inviting comments.
"As long as they agree." Elba said.
"Is she fit to travel?" Bastila asked and the doctor shrugged.
"I have no idea. I do not think that moving her will affect anything however."
"Then that is the best idea." She said and turned to Carth and Mission. "I will go with them to make sure the council understands my thoughts. You could head back to the apartment." She suggested but Carth frowned.
"You do not want us to come?" He asked and Bastila frowned.
"No, I just did not see any reason why you would need to. I have to see the council about this and there is really nothing else to be done. I will not be long."
"I want to come with you." Carth said directly and Bastila blinked.
"Well, I cannot stop you but there is little to do there." Carth nodded.
"Perhaps, I have a friend or two there I would like to look up. I won't get in your way I assure you."
"Fine." Bastila turned back to Elba. "How soon can we have her transferred?"
"An hour?" He asked in return and the Jedi nodded.
"That is good. I will go with them. The commander will follow."
"And I will head back and tell the others what happened." Mission declared and the three others nodded.
The Jedi Temple was impressive, there could be no doubt about that in Carth's mind. He found it strange though that such an imposing structure would belong to an order that preached humility. He smiled as he docked near the transport Bastila had been in and jumped out and walked over to meet her. She smiled as he approached.
"She is being taken inside now. I will go and talk to the council. Do not wait around for me, I can find my own way back."
"Sure. Talk to you later." Carth said and walked out of the docking bay.
He had only been inside the massive structure twice before and he acknowledged now that his desire to go inside was out of a strange sense of curiosity. He walked down into the massive entrance hall and looked around in approval. He had no idea what to do now so he started to walk back to the dock when a voice hailed him.
"Carth? Carth Onasi?" The commander turned to see a familiar face walking towards him. It took him a half second to realise who it was and then he chuckled. "Or should that be lieutenant commander?" The figure asked.
"That is commander now Nantaris." He countered and the other man laughed. The other man was a tall man with a scar down one cheek, short black hair and blue eyes. He had changed a bit in the four and a half years since Carth had last talked to him. He had last met Valiens Nantaris before the two went to join their respective units at the start of the Mandalorian Wars. Nantaris was a Jedi and a good one and Carth could see that he still had the air of authority about him that had made him so unlikely a Jedi. He had never been one for rules and codes when they got in the way of doing his job. He held out his hand and the soldier took it.
"I haven't seen you since the start of the war Valiens. They still keeping you on? I thought the Jedi had sense." He said and the man smiled.
"Not only that but I am now a full Jedi Knight." He said proudly and Carth nodded.
"Crazy, just crazy. Congratulations though."
"Well they had no choice really." He said arrogantly but without his heart in it.
"You always were an arrogant fool. How they put up with you is anyone's guess. I must say I did not recognise you for a moment."
"I only knew it was you because you are the only one who is not a Jedi here. Plus I know you just arrived."
"Arrived with Bastila, she is just seeing the council." Carth responded and the Jedi nodded.
"Bastila eh?" He said with a small smile. He was almost the same as Carth had remembered him, laconic and sardonic without being offensive. "Heard about your little adventures around space. I was off fighting on some rock in the corner of civilisation and only just got back."
"Believe me, you would not have wanted to take my place on that little adventure." Carth said fervently.
He looked at the man who he had met during a training mission when he had been assigned to the young Jedi's master as an escort. The two had been friends until they had departed to go and fight in the wars that were then engulfing the galaxy. They had met again several times, fighting beside one another in the final battles on the outer rim.
"I can believe that." He said as they walked on.
"Valiens, you were with Revan and Malak weren't you?" He asked and the man nodded slowly. His humour was gone, replaced by intent recollection.
"I was indeed with the two of them. I disobeyed the council and went to fight with them. Revan treated me well during the wars and she often praised me for my abilities of stealth and strategy. I was with her party when they boarded Mandalore's ship and I fought to keep her from being overwhelmed. Not that she needed my help." He smiled inwardly. "After that, they made their announcement of continuing the war. Revan offered me a place beside her, a place of power. I finally saw in her what had happened and I refused. She grew angry and threatened me with death but I could not let that persuade me. I told her she could kill me or let me go but either way I was not joining her. I was only one of three Jedi who left of their own free will. The others are dead now I think. The Sith came after me as well." He touched his scarred cheek. He did not say who in the Sith had wanted him dead, he did not need to. He hoped that that spectre of his past was gone forever but he could not be sure.
"He gave you the scar?" Carth asked.
"He did Carth. I searched for Maudin since then but I have found no trace."
"I hear he is still alive."
"Doubtless we will meet again. Anyway, I abandoned the new darklords." Valiens continued.
"What did the council do?" Carth asked.
"They did the wrong thing in my opinion, they made me a Jedi Knight and told me I had learnt an important lesson. I learnt nothing, only that there are some people who can be trusted and others who cannot. I told them that and they just looked at me and told me that they were certain they had made the right decision." He said and sighed.
Carth did not say anything for fear of showing his interest into this attack on the Jedi's decisions. As the silence stretched, he felt he needed to answer. "I am sure they knew what they were doing." He said tactfully and Valiens snorted.
"Do not tell me that you have become tactful Carth. The council makes a lot of decisions, some good and some bad. I just thought this one was wrong."
"You still accepted it." Carth pointed out and the Jedi nodded.
"I did it because I felt that I was still of use. More use than if I was freelance." He flashed a sidelong glance at his friend. "You knew Revan." He stated, not questioned and the commander nodded.
"I knew her when she was different of course. You know what happened?"
"I heard the gist. That is one action that I am not proud to be a Jedi because of. Even the Sith do not do that. It was also the wrong decision."
"She was a better person then when I met her in the war." Carth defended and the man smiled.
"Better towards you, you mean." He said unhelpfully and Carth coughed slightly. "Relax Onasi, she made her choice and I am sorry that she is dead. I feel for you I do. I know you don't need my pity but accept my condolences." He said earnestly and the soldier nodded.
Carth looked at the black haired Jedi; "what do you mean by that?" Carth wanted to know how the man knew about him and Revan.
The man's eyes flashed with amusement; "I am a Jedi Onasi remember? I could read it on you as soon as I said her name. I knew before of course, I have heard the rumours; you were not discreet when you went back to Dantooine."
Carth reddened very slightly; he had been certain that nobody except the crew on the Ebon Hawk knew, he was mistaken. "So the Jedi have made you a spymaster have they?" he asked to cover his embarrassment.
"I don't have a clue about what you mean. I was happy for you, after what happened to your wife."
"Yes. Thank you Nantaris. What are you doing now?" He asked to move the subject on.
"The usual, solving the galaxy's problems, with occasional fighting." He proclaimed as they neared the docking bay.
"So what brings you here? I only heard that Bastila was here with you, not why."
"We found a mysterious force user, dropped off by a freighter crew. She has been transferred to the medical wing I have been told." He said and Nantaris nodded slowly.
"I see, then I had best have a look sometimes. You returning to duty?" Valiens asked and Carth nodded.
"Two weeks I start again. I have a briefing before then to give me a hint."
"A promotion perhaps?" The Jedi asked.
"Dodonna wants me made post captain I think but it has to pass by Delzon and Daguerre. I'll have to see, I am still only officially a commander."
"Could be a tough job convincing those two."
"They are good men and we are lucky to have them. They have the experience in this fleet." Carth said, meaning every word.
"I suppose so."
"I have to be off now, take care of yourself Nantaris and if you want to come over and meet my crew before they scatter than that is fine with me."
"I will consider it. Look after yourself Onasi. My condolences for your wife and for Revan." He said and Carth nodded as he turned back to his speeder.
Bastila Shan saw to the adequate care of the patient and then walked towards the chamber of the Jedi Council. She seemed in two minds about this and alternatively held back and came forward resolutely. To passers by it seemed as though she was limping but none interrupted her halting progress on as she approached the council chambers. She entered and was met by Master Vandar who nodded as she entered.
"Warned of your approach we were Padawan Bastila." He said in the face of her confusion.
"Master, I have delivered the patient to the medical wing." She said and the master nodded.
"Sent her picture we were. Never seen that Jedi have I and the council concurs. You are certain of your words?" He asked gently and Bastila nodded.
"I am master. She has the force about her strongly and I think that until she wakes up she should be allowed to remain." Her face coloured slightly at the forceful suggestion but Vandar nodded.
"Agreed on that we are. I would not turn her out unaided. Come, those members of the council available are here." He said and led her through a door and into a conference room with a large table around which the Jedi masters sat. There was room for twelve but only six were taken. Masters Vandar and Aetius were sitting at the round table. A round table because there was no head or leader. It was a wide ring so that one might stand in the centre of the circle. Bastila moved in at a wave from Aetius and stood as resolutely as possible.
Aetius began the introductions. "Padawan Bastila." His calm voice perfectly audible anywhere in the room. "Master Vandar is already known to you, as am I. However, you may not have met Master Grelville, head of our facility on Talhare." He said and the man named gave a brisk nod. He looked and even reminded Bastila of Master Vrook from Dantooine with his brusque manner and sardonic voice.. "Next to him is Master Grecian from our outpost on Morlock Four." Master Grecian was a Twi'lek with light blue skin which who looked like an adult version of Mission. She inclined her head serenely.
"Next there is Master Kalis, our head of the archives." He referred to a capable looking man in his forties who nodded a cautious greeting. "Lastly, there is Master Hador." He said and the master named nodded. He was a non-human with white skin and large eyes and a broad body. He was of a little known species named the Hanik, rare but strong in the force.
"Now we are introduced, we may begin." Aetius said. "Firstly, I would like to say that I am pleased that you have returned to the light Padawan. Now perhaps you understand the lure of the darkside better than before."
"The dangers of which are not to be underestimated." Grelville said grimly.
"Masters, I hope that I have learnt wisdom through this troubling experience. I was fortunate to have one with me who was willing to try and redeem me."
"Ah yes, Revan." Grelville said unpleasantly and Vandar looked annoyed at the words.
"Disappointed to hear that one so powerful and who had returned from the darkness had fallen." Grecian said, her basic perfect like Mission.
"It was not really Revan though was it?" Grelville said pointedly.
"She regained her old personality in the end." Vandar said defensively.
"Quite by accident by the sound of it." The man sniped back.
"We knew that that would happen eventually."
"And yet you did it anyway. And in doing so you took a risk that she would return as the Sith Lord she had once been." Hador put in, his voice deep.
"We had no option, we did not realise that her mind still held the key to this war." Vandar said.
"Perhaps other ways could have been considered to find the location of the Star Forge." Aetius said placidly and Vandar sighed.
"What has been done can not be undone." He said and Grelville pressed his point on.
"But the action was dangerous and never had more than a fool's hope of succeeding. It was a shot in the dark and it hit but it may not have. We were playing with fire and we did not get burnt but we should see that this does not happen again."
"Not in the same circumstances again will we be." Vandar said. Bastila tried to remain unnoticed in the argument but finally Grecian looked up at her.
"Masters, this is not a matter that Padawan Bastila needs to hear about. We can discuss it later." She declared and the others nodded their agreement.
"We have studied the images and effects of this patient but I must confess we are as puzzled as you were padawan. Never seen this women before in my life, nor one matching her species." Aetius said and the others nodded their agreement.
"Have you considered that she may be in league with the Sith?" Hador demanded and Bastila nodded nervously.
"I had considered it master but even I can sense no wrongdoing in her. She is not dangerous I am sure but anything further must wait until she is awake surely." She said and Grecian nodded her agreement.
"I agree with Bastila. We cannot make judgements until she can defend herself. Perhaps there is a reasonable explanation for this." She said and Hador nodded.
"Agreed. We thank you padawan for looking into this matter." Hador said as gruffly as ever but he seemed sincere.
"What of you padawan? What will become of you now?" Aetius asked and Bastila bowed slightly.
"I am willing to do the council's bidding of course." She said and Grelville nodded solemnly.
"You have been promised two weeks off and I must keep to that. However, you must not become idle especially after such events as recently occurred." He said and Bastila nodded quickly, eager to avoid the subject.
"The Sith have suffered a defeat, but the war is not over. We have won a victory and not a war and this with help we cannot hope to call on again." Grecian said.
"I am willing to play my role, master." Bastila replied.
"Good, you will attend the meeting with the fleet with Commander Onasi and see what may be required." Grelville commanded and the young Jedi nodded her agreement.
"As you wish master."
"Be off then child." Aetius said and watched as she walked slightly faster than normal from the room. When she was gone, the silver haired master turned to the council members. "I will look at this patient myself." He stated and Grecian nodded.
"And I as well. When she wakes up we shall talk to her and see if this mystery can be unravelled." She rose and bowed to the assembled masters. "I must be returning to my students." She said and left the room.